To renovate a home, whether partially or completely, it is necessary to take into account a series of recommendations:
- Be clear about the needs that you will have in the home to be renovated (persons in the family unit, number of rooms needed, number of bathrooms, number and location of sockets, switches, dimmers, light points, location of the router, etc., need for versatile spaces, multifunctional spaces, etc…).
A clear example of this is the grouping of the kitchen, living room and dining room into a single space. Work with “movable” separating elements such as sliding screens, mobile partitions, dividing with a Japanese panel, adjustable lattices, etc.
Another clear example is the appearance within the home of an area to work, unless it interferes with other non-compatible uses.
- Start the work already knowing the finishes to be installed (worked together with the renovation company).
In this way the work “flows” and delivery deadlines are met. Before starting the works, it is very important to be more or less clear about the elements that we want to incorporate into the renovation: toilets, taps, kitchen, countertops, appliances, flooring, etc., with the advice of the company if necessary.
- Work, if necessary, with virtual images of the spaces to be renovated.
Whenever the client is not able to visualize how the renovation will look, we can make 3D images to get an idea of the spaces, finishes, colors, lighting, etc…
- Always work with a closed budget and provide a percentage of the cost of the renovation for unforeseen events of between 5-10% .
In some works, unforeseen events sometimes arise due to things that are “presumed” in a closed budget and then when we discover what was hidden we get some surprise. For example: in old apartments, when the false ceiling is demolished, it turns out that there are some beams that are in poor condition and that must be repaired (in this case the cost is shared with the rest of the community of owners). Another aspect that may represent a deviation from the initial budget is the change in qualities by the client. That is, if a ceramic has been budgeted for and then the client finally decides on a wooden parquet that is more expensive than ceramic.
- Reuse existing materials in the home to be renovated as much as possible, and use recyclable materials if possible.
For example: old wooden doors recovered with new handles from the period, opening doors converted into tables or sliding doors, wooden shutters converted into shelves, etc.
- Invest in the envelope (facades), windows and high-efficiency installations for air conditioning, hot water production and lighting.
A good part of the energy we consume in air conditioning “escapes” through the façade (because it does not have thermal insulation) and the windows. Inefficient hot water production equipment will also penalize our consumption, as will a poor lighting installation, even though LED lights have greatly improved consumption.
- Design a good electrical and plumbing installation, and a good drainage network (preferably with a record for cleaning and maintenance)
A correct electrical installation prevents unnecessary electricity losses and reduces the electromagnetic waves that can accumulate in our home. A good design of the home’s drains will allow for good water evacuation and good maintenance.
- Always try to apply criteria of the 3 “bio” concepts: bioconstruction, biohabitable and bioclimatic.
The use of sustainable materials, the use of natural products, good indoor air quality with the incorporation of indoor plants and good ventilation, and the use of highly energy efficient equipment are practices that should already be standardized when it comes to carry out a reform
- Install photovoltaic solar panels in a single-family home or promote and promote the possibility of installing them in the community of owners.
There is no longer any doubt that self-consumption or microgrids are the future of sustainable and economical electricity generation. Although the investment (not the expense) is usually expensive, the durability of the equipment currently installed continues to make these facilities profitable.
- Minimalism: get rid of everything that is not useful or aesthetically beautiful, create orderly spaces, avoid visual stress, etc…
We have to learn to get rid of everything that does not comply with the previous phrase. The clutter, the accumulation of useless objects that occurs in the place where we live generates visual stress that alters our well-being at home.
