Comments
Pro to Pro: How to Stay On Budget
If you have just started your design practice, these tips will help you handle the budget on your initial projects
Pooja Khanna Tyagi
12 October 2021
Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner, and love Writing Poetry and Creative Stories on Building Design. Have been practicing since the year 2000 with specialization in the field of Corporate Interiors with projects extensively published in journals of national repute. Recently honoured with the reputed A3 Foundation award for Journalism for the year 2016 an for architectural poetry in the year 2018. Currently practicing and residing in Delhi and Noida.
Website: www.khannaenterprise.com, Email: poojakhanna224@gmail.com, M:9891993392
Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner,... More
If you’re an interior designer, it is important to understand the client’s tastes so as to determine a realistic overall budget for renovation. Keep in mind that the entire process of renovating a home can become stressful for you as well as the client, if the cost of renovation exceeds the proposed or sanctioned budget. Follow these tips to get the project executed while keeping a constant check on the budget.
1. Plan the budget
- Work out a realistic budget for renovating the home, so that the client can decide upon the costs and determine the extent of renovation.
- Divide all the interior items of work into separate sections, such as flooring, false ceiling, woodwork, kitchen and bathroom renovation, and so on, so that the client can assess the budget required for each section of work.
- There should be an additional budget of at least 20 per cent for any hidden expenses that might crop up while renovating the home. This could include dampness in the walls or ceilings, damage in the existing electrical wiring, leakage in the plumbing lines or damage caused due to termites.
2. Finalisation of the design
Get inspiration from these kitchen designs and move on to more categories, all in Houzz photos
- Once the budget is determined, furnish all the designs and interior details, which should be in tandem with the budget of the client. Working drawings should be released for the flooring, false ceiling and furniture and so on, so that the client can finalise the designs before the renovation work starts at site.
- Make sure that the client sticks to the final design and does not deviate from the original plan.
Get inspiration from these kitchen designs and move on to more categories, all in Houzz photos
3. Select materials as per the budget
- Select all the materials required for the home renovation according to the client’s budget. For example, porcelain tiles, vitrified floor tiles, Indian granite and laminate finishes are cost-effective, while materials such as Italian marble, engineered quartz, veneer or acrylic finishes are used for a high-end home renovation.
4. Furnish the BOQ (bill of quantities)
- Prepare a detailed BOQ with clear specifications of the materials to be used.
- The BOQ should include the total square footage of the flooring material that needs to be purchased, the total area of false ceiling, the quantity of woodwork that needs to be carpentered at site and so on.
- Additionally, the BOQ should include the quantities of items that need to be purchased, such as the sanitaryware, sanitary fixtures and electrical fixtures. This will enable the contractors to quote a realistic cost for the home renovation.
5. Appoint an efficient contractor
Find specialty contractors in the Houzz pages
- It is important to take quotes from at least two or three contractors, to get a clear idea about the total cost of renovation.
- Appoint a contractor who has previously worked with you to your satisfaction. Alternatively, you can also appoint a contractor who has previously worked with the client, and is tried and tested by them.
Find specialty contractors in the Houzz pages
6. Maintain the timeframe of work
Revealed: Secrets to Building Your Home on a Budget
How to Design an Elder-Friendly Home on a Budget
Tell us:
Have you renovated a home recently? Did the cost of renovation increase past your budget? Share your experience in Comments below.
- Monitor the project closely to ensure the contractor abides by the given timeframe. Keep in mind that If the project gets delayed due to any reason, it will result in additional labour costs, which will increase the overall cost of renovation of the project.
- Also, the client should make timely payments to you as well as the contractors, as per the payment schedule, so as to ensure smooth execution of work at site.
Revealed: Secrets to Building Your Home on a Budget
How to Design an Elder-Friendly Home on a Budget
Tell us:
Have you renovated a home recently? Did the cost of renovation increase past your budget? Share your experience in Comments below.
Related Stories
Inside Houzz
Professional's Corner: How Ideabooks Can Benefit You
Use this crucial Houzz tool to your advantage. Learn how to collaborate and share your ideabooks with homeowners and potential clients
Full Story
Tips for Professionals
Pro to Pro: How to Deal With Clients Who Keep Asking for Changes
If you are an architect or an interior designer, find ways to professionally handle revision requests by the client
Full Story
Tips for Professionals
4 Simple Ways to Differentiate Your Firm from the Competition
Find the right leads and convert them into clients with these easy tips for helping your firm stand out from the rest
Full Story
Tips for Professionals
Pro to Pro: How to Build a Long-Term Relationship With Clients
Top Indian designers share insights on why nurturing your existing client base is as important as finding new business
Full Story
Tips for Professionals
How to Stay in Control of Your Business as it Grows
Find out how to take on more clients and bigger projects while maintaining an organised business
Full Story
Tips for Professionals
How to Get Noticed On Houzz
By HouzzIN
Already have a profile on Houzz and want to climb up on the popularity and visibility front? We tell you how
Full Story
Tips for Professionals
Pro to Pro: 4 Ways to Be a Good Mentor
Learn how to create a successful mentorship experience that can benefit your business and the careers of your trainees
Full Story
Tips for Professionals
Pro to Pro: How to Work Within a Budget
Architect Shami Goregaoker gives tips that will go a long way in helping you design within finances big or small
Full Story
Tips for Professionals
What a Best of Houzz Badge Means on a Pro’s Profile
By HouzzIN
Here’s a guide to the Best of Houzz awards and how you can connect with winning pros near you
Full Story