Get It Right with Undercover Architect

Managing Your Renovation Budget When Designing, with Ben

Mar 10, 2025
Explore the journey of renovating a 1920s bungalow, focusing on budget management and design challenges. The discussion reveals the importance of working collaboratively with professionals and how to navigate strained relationships with designers. Learn about adapting budgets over time, setting clear spending limits, and making informed trade-offs. Ben shares insights on minimizing costs through smart design choices and the benefits of engaging builders early in the process. His encouraging advice highlights the value of persistence in achieving your renovation dreams.
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INSIGHT

Let The Addition Complement The Existing House

  • The redesigned extension reads as a deliberate, lighter addition that reveals the existing bungalow rather than trying to mimic it.
  • This approach simplifies construction and improves solar orientation and outdoor connection.
ANECDOTE

Working The Existing House Harder

  • Ben describes deliberately working the existing house harder to reduce new walls and demolition.
  • They kept intervention minimal to respect the bungalow and cut costs while keeping a modern feel.
ADVICE

Declare A Firm Budget And Optimize Within It

  • Set clear budget tiers for build, fit-out and landscaping and treat budget as an investment, not just a ceiling.
  • Tell builders your firm budget limit early and optimise decisions to get the best value within it.
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