A renovation in construction is any works that may be carried out to an existing building. These works are normally improvements to the premises and may be structural and/or aesthetic. Renovation works include, but are not limited to;

• Demolition of existing and/or Erection of new of walls
• Replacement of windows and doors
• Plaster and Paintwork
• Addition of infrastructure such as underground water tanks, Solar Water Heating and Lighting and Pumps
• Replacement of Water Lines and Electrical Wiring
• Addition or Replacement of floors (Timber, Tiles, Epoxy etc.)
• Repair and Maintenance of existing floors (e.g Sanding and Resealing of timber floors, polishing and sealing of terrazzo floors)

If you are ready to carry out a renovation of your space, you should consider the following;

• Type of renovation you intend to carry out
• Have an idea of what you envision the premises to look like after the renovation.
• Have a preliminary budget of how much you are willing and able to spend on the works.
• Amount of disruption/disturbance expected (both to yourself and to your neighbours)

Once you have considered all the above, these should be your next steps;

• Consider engaging a reputable company/individual to carry out the interior design of the spaces. You should furnish them with all the ideas you have, the expectations/requirements and the proposed scope of renovation.
• The interior designer will measure the spaces and design a space suitable for you showing you proposed layouts and finishes to be adopted. This stage is reiterative until the client is satisfied with the proposed renovation plans.
• The proposed renovation plans can then be issued to an experienced renovations contractor for detailed costing and projected construction timelines.
• Once the client is satisfied with the proposed plans, budget and timelines, they will be ready to proceed onto the construction phase.

The construction stage of the renovation project is usually the most tedious and involving. The client will need to take care of the following;

• Application of a renovation permit from your respective County Government offices. You may require Submittal of renovation drawings. The permit may cost anywhere from KSh. 15,000 to KSh 150,000 depending on the extent of renovation.
• Once the renovation permit has been received, ensure it is always on display (somewhere visible) at the premises undergoing renovation.
• Ensure that you have a qualified contractor on site to carry out and supervise all works (including electrical and plumbing works). This will ensure that amount of rework is kept at a minimum and that the Client is satisfied with the works ongoing on site.
• For larger projects, ensure that you have a qualified Construction Project Manager who will be in charge of ensuring that the contractor complies with the Cost, Scope, Quality and Timelines agreed upon.
• Always retain an amount of between 5% and 10% from every payment certificate. This retained amount is usually to ensure that the Contractor complies with any instructions of rectification and rework. The retained amount is usually paid out to the Contractor after a 3 months Defect Liability Period (Defects liability period is the 3 month period after the Contractor has completed and handed over the works).

Although renovation works may seem to be minimal and exciting, they can become very tedious and exhausting to the Client. This is why you should reach out to me, Isabelle Nyamgeroh, for all your construction and renovation needs. I have vast experience in both managing renovation projects and carrying them out with my team of experienced interior design professionals and workers.