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The allure and splendour of a magnificent waterfront home, overlooking the water from high above and resting on the edge of one of the best views in the world, is a lifetime dream come true for the privileged few. This world-renowned mark of status has been ingrained into our culture throughout history. Ancient cliff side dwellings captivate our minds and ignite our wanderlust; while today’s modern cliff edge homes inspire our imaginations by creating more and more unique architectural designs.

Experience

Today’s modern engineers, architects and builders push the envelope of creativity and ability to build some of the best looking cliff edge homes. While they make it look easy, the many logistics and difficulties of building on a cliff edge site overlooking the waterfront are numbered and many. Without a good builder, architect and engineer, some serious problems could occur. Always use a company that has the experience and knowledge for building cliff edge homes.

Access

But no matter who you hire to do the work, it’s still up to you to make the final decisions that make your home custom and truly yours. Access to the site is the first and foremost priority when working on a difficult site. Which area of the property would you enter from? How steep is your driveway going to be? Where will you set up your parking area? What direction will you orientate your home? These questions are the first crucial step in providing the best access into the site. You and your builder, architect and engineer will be able to come up with the most suitable plan for access to the site.

Access to the site is just the beginning. Materials, machinery, labourers, vehicles, tools and equipment must be stored logically in order to get the job done safely and cost effectively. Logistics play an important role in the development of a limited spaced property. The critical path of development involves knowing where and when all jobsite materials and workers are needed. 

Engineers

When it comes to the actual structure, site placement is crucial to achieving the best views. But placement of the home is always limited to the sites ability to support the structure. This is where the engineers really have to know their stuff. Assessing the soil conditions capability to support the structure is an important step into determining how and where the home can be placed on the property.

Architects

A qualified architect is one that is well versed in the ways of cliff edge design. With enough experience, the architect can design a home around your needs as well as the property's. Working with an architect that’s familiar in cliff edge design can help you get the most out of your difficult site. They can safely design the perfect structure for your waterfront cliff edge property.

Builders

Experience in cliff edge building is a must have when working on any difficult property. A working knowledge of up to date structural assembly is a must have when hiring any building contractor. Doing your own research by contacting references and viewing portfolios of past jobs can ensure you find the best of the best without wasting time, money and safety on tendering an inexperienced waterfront contractor.

RESTORATION

Restoring a structure, to put it simply, is to repair and keep the original form of the structure, design and even materials.  Restorations are best when you want to keep the original structure intact and are often necessary when dealing with heritage listed properites.  Restoration home improvement projects occur typically because of damages from aging materials or new buyers wanting to retun a house to it's original condition.  Antique structures benefit from restoration projects best.

Some basic restoration projects include:

• Exterior Cladding Repair
• Flooring Resurfacing
• Painted Surfaces
• Woodworking
• Antique Hardware

Budgets

A restoration can be the most cost effective method to fix repairs, where the original material is easy to source and easy to replace.  However, in the case of antique materials, spending the time and money sourcing items to match the original décor and design elements can be both time consuming and expensive. 

Advantages

Certain home improvement projects like refinishing fine woods or resurfacing cabinetry benefit from restoration. A few advantages of restoration include:

• Money Saving Home Improvement
• Design and Décor Themes are Maintained
• Some Restorations are Completed Quickly

Disadvantages

Renovations also have their disadvantages as well.  Problems can occur before, during and after the renovation. Here are a few disadvantages to be aware of when you’re deciding whether to renovate or restore:

• Hidden Damage May be Uncovered
• Maintenance Issues can Cause Further Expense
• New Materials Might be Best for the Overall Design
• Old Material may be impossible to find or very expensive

RENOVATION 

To renovate any area in the home requires removal and disposal of the previous material, followed by the replacement of said material with a new material.  Depending on whether house is being increased demolition and excavation may be needed.  Renovations are usually undertaken to update areas within the open, to create an open plan living space and/or to increase the size of the existing house.  A few renovation home improvement projects include:

• Roofing Renewal
• Bedroom Extension
• Window Replacement
• Bathroom Makeover
• New Kitchen

Budgets

Renovations are typically on the higher end of the budget scale when compared to restoration costs. But sometimes when restoration may seem to be the cheapest alternative, overall costs through constant restoration of an inferior material or design can outweigh the costs of the initial renovation. Always factor in lifetime maintenance costs when deciding whether renovation or restoration is more budget friendly to your home improvement project.  Also, take into account the added value to your home, as a renovated home could increase more in value than a restored home due to a large in increase in living space.

Advantages

Renovation advantages are many and varied. Here are a few examples to help you decide whether renovation or restoration is right for your home improvement project:

• Restoration is not Possible
• New and Improved Materials and Design are available
• Current Building Codes can to be adhered to
• Extra Space is Required

Disadvantages

There are also disadvantages to renovation when compared to restoration projects.  Use these examples to help you understand both sides of renovation:

• Costs are Often Higher
• Renovation can take longer as Council Approvals are needed
• Ambiance and Antiquities could be Lost Forever
• Renovations may be prohitbited in Heritage areas 

What do you do when you want the perfect home renovation but you lack the funds?

It can be tough to make the decision between what you can afford and what you need—let alone what you want to get out of your renovation project. That’s why it’s so important to set a budget, create a cost breakdown list and stick to the initial plan when hiring a building contractor.

Use this guide to help you get the most out of your budget renovation project.    

Setting a Budget Number    

The bottom line of any budget renovation project is money. By setting the amount of money you are willing (and able) to spend upfront — and sticking to that figure throughout the project—is the best and only way to get the project done for the right amount of money.  

So how much should you spend?  Your return on investment is an important way to determine the amount of money you’re willing to invest. If a renovation project like installing an on-demand water heater costs more than you’d like to spend, consider that it will save money every year, recouping initial costs quickly.  Another way to tell how much money you should spend on your renovation project is by assessing the value of your home and taking into account whether you intend to sell or stay.

Spending somewhere between 20-30% of the value of your home is likley to be a suitable amount of money to allocate for a budget renovation project, and still get a great return on your investment, particuarly if you are intending to stay in that property long term.  However, it also depends on buyer perception, whether the money you spend is spent in such a way, that if put on the market, new buyers would see the extra value and be prepared to pay for it.

If you’re like the rest of us, it's likely that your wants and needs may exceed the amount of money in your budget. A good way to pinpoint costs to help you pick out the needs from the wants is by creating a cost breakdown list. This is a list that helps you to nail down labour and material costs so that you can better plan for your renovation project.   

Some of the considerations you should keep in mind when you’re drawing up a budget:
How much cash you have on hand?
How long will you occupy the home?
How much you can borrow?
How much is the interest rate?
How much can you afford for a monthly payment?  

The Best of the Best    

Work with a quality builder.  It is standard to check about three different contractors portfolios so that you can choose the best fit for you for your renovation.  Ensure that you choose only contractors licenced for the work you need completed and check to make sure all their insurances are current.  You should also speak with past clients and inspect past work, ideally on a similar scale to the work you need completed.

ROI
 
Return on investment or ROI is the best way to get the most bang for your buck on any renovation project. Even if you plan on staying in your home your whole life and never selling, it’s still in your best interest to recoup some of those renovation funds by employing projects that give you the best ROI factor possible.  Here are a few examples of budget renovation projects that give can you the most ROI:

• Bathroom renovations
• Kitchen renovations
• Master bedroom renovations
• Basement and attic renovations
• Curb appeal renovations (cladding, decking, roofing, etc)

Allow a Buffer

The reality of building is that there can often be unexpected costs, particularly if demolition or excavation are involved, or you are adding to an older building that wasn't built well.  To allow for this it's normally recommended to have a contingency sum available (usually around 5-10%) just in case. 

Adding on an extension to your home can be a great way to expand your square footage for a growing family and it can give you the opportunity to build your own personal new master bedroom or parents retreat. 

Whatever your reasons are, building a new extension on your home is a great way to not only gain extra space, but also to add more value to your home.  If you are going to build a new master bedroom, the tips below will help you make the most out of your extra space.    

Getting the Most from your Design    

Before you begin drawing any design drawings, it’s best to create a list of the most important functions, aspects and design ideas that your new extension is going to fulfill.

Important items to consider in bedroom design include: bed orientation, storage and closet space, ensuite requirements, feature furniture and future needs. 

Bed Orientation

Placing your bed in a specific direction helps plan for utilities like electrical outlets, cable television and phone cords. With a good plan where your bed is going to be located, you can instantly place dressers, night tables and other feature furniture easily.  But that’s not the only role bed orientation plays in the early part of bedroom extension design, it also works to help place windows and door openings in your overall design.    

Storage

Bedroom storage is a very important aspect of any good bedroom design. Clothes, shoes and jewellery are just the basics and work perfectly well in any closet. But the other not so everyday items need a storage place as well. It’s a good idea to think about unique storage solutions for you’re out of the way items like photos albums, winter jackets or grandma’s quilt. Here are a few unconventional storage solutions for the bedroom:
Under bed drawers
Built in dressers
Bay window seating
Slide out vertical clothes hangers
 
Closet Space    

The closet is used at least twice a day by most people. And when you’re sharing space with your significant other, then closet space is at a premium. Opt out for a his and her closet space to get the most out of your shared closet space. Duel walk in closets that are connected by a small alcove can help provide a unique feature that pulls double duty as a shoe storage area.    

Ensuites

Adding an ensuite bathroom is a logical step when creating a master bedroom extension. While a bathroom addition might not be suitable for every budget, it should always be considered when installing a new bedroom extension. With the addition of a new bedroom and bathroom extension you should consider these important points first:
Budget costs
Septic tank limits
Fashion versus function
Space constraints  

Feature Furniture
 
Furniture in the bedroom might not be something you would think to design a bedroom around, but in fact, seating, dressers, night stands and other bedroom furniture works hard in the bedroom. Kid’s bedroom furniture includes toys chests, study desks, video game centres and play tables. Designing your new room extension around these items can help you get the most out of your new bedroom.
 
Future Needs    

Your new bedroom might be for your growing family, or your family might already be gone. A new bedroom extension is going to last for years to come. Get the most out of it, even decades from now by planning ahead for future design needs.  Ideas for possible future bedroom conversions include a home office, hobby/craft space or additional guest rooms. 

Your kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the house.  From storing food to cooking to eating to cleaning up after dinner—and all three times a day—the kitchen is a well-used place indeed. That’s why it’s so important to get a good idea of what you need and want in your new kitchen before you hire any contractor to do any work. This way, you and your contractor will be on the same page when you start your new kitchen.

Sketch up a Plan    

Even if you can’t draw well, you can still create a basic outline of your kitchen that will help you get a few ideas down on paper.  Start with a basic outline of your kitchen from above. Items to include:

• Cabinets
• Appliances
• Islands
• Doors
• Windows
• Lighting

Once you’re satisfied with the drawing, make a few dozen copies of the picture & use the copies to create new kitchen ideas.   The more ideas you have the better chances you have of getting the most out of your design.  Pick out your three best ideas and present them to your architect and builder to finalise your design brief.

The Kitchen Triangle    

The kitchen triangle is an important part of any kitchen design. The triangle in any kitchen is formed by three points: 

• Refrigerator
• Sink
• Stovetop

The kitchen triangle is the most used area of the kitchen space.  By keeping the triangle points within reach of one another, you can create an efficient cooking space that makes everything from preparing food to cleaning up as easy as possible.    

Appliances
 
One of the best parts about getting your new kitchen is when the new appliances arrive. However, before you take a trip to the local appliance store; consider this.  When many homeowners pick out appliances, they often impulse buy their favourite colour or style.  Things to look for when buying appliances: 

• Work Capacity
• Energy Efficiency
• Unique Features
• Size
• Storage Space

Countertops    

When we think of countertops, we think about colours and materials, but more often than not we neglect size and space.  Your kitchen counter space is critical in getting your daily kitchen tasks done efficiently.  Without the correct amount of counter space, cutting veggies, putting away groceries and setting out dinner plates can be difficult at best.  No matter what materials you use for your kitchen countertops, be sure the design layout and size is exactly what you need in your new kitchen addition.    

Storage
 
Another very important aspect of any kitchen addition is good storage.  Storage solutions that take advantage of dead spaces are just the beginning to good cabinet design. A good appliance layout can create storage spaces that work with the kitchen triangle, creating the ultimate efficient cook space. Unique storage solutions are the key to perfect storage in imperfect spaces. Some unique storage solutions include:

• Lazy Susan’s
• Pull out Trays
• Built in Drawers
• Built in Door Shelving
• Slide out Vertical Shelving
• Built in Recycling/Refuse Bin

Lighting    

Lighting plays the ultimate role in any kitchen design.  A good kitchen lighting plan involves a blending of task lighting sources and ambient light sources.  Task lighting like recessed lighting can focus the right amount of light on any kitchen surface.  Ambient lighting like fluorescents or skylights lends the perfect lighting source for the ultimate blend of kitchen light.