The ultimate guide from first idea to the final unveiling
A survey undertaken by leading building products company James Hardie shows that one in three (34%) renovators are not completely happy with their finished property, due to factors such compromising on the layout of their home, its exterior look, or the finishes and fittings[1].
As a result of this research, James Hardie has launched their new Hardie™ Home Guide to help homeowners through every step of their renovation or new build journey. From ground floor extensions, to upper storey extensions and start-from-scratch new builds, Hardie™ Home Guide features experts and visionary partners sharing the solutions and ideas homeowners are looking for to make their dream home a reality.
Outlined in five main stages, the Hardie™ Home Guide shares practical advice, design looks to love, strategies and planning checklists, and insider tips for bringing your finished home to life. With contributions from leading industry experts, each stage includes approachable insight presented as ‘bright ideas’, ‘helpful tools’, and ‘team players’ sections.
- Get Inspired
For over three quarters (76%) of renovators, the finished look of the home is the most important factor[2]. Homeowners planning their dream renovation or new build can get inspired with everything from professional design tools to pages of fresh design ideas. Tips on modern design, using black as an exterior colour, and getting the best result from blending heritage homes with modern design are just some of the insights shared in the Get Inspired section of the Hardie™ Home Guide.
Over half of Australian homeowners admire a ‘look’ that includes some form of external cladding and a key trend in modern home design is using multiple cladding types on a home’s façade in beautiful and unexpected ways. If mixed cladding is a consideration, using a mix of cladding types celebrates materials and draws attention to often-underrated architectural forms.
Adding insight on exteriors, Neale Whitaker shares why black is trending as an exterior colour. Besides being a neutral colour that creates a bold statement, it contrasts well with other materials, hues, and textures. Available in various hues with subtle nuances, finding the right shade of black is all about considering undertones and light. Blending a heritage home and new extension? Consider choosing exterior cladding materials that can highlight the property’s original beauty in a modern way with a high-contrast new addition.
- Get Planning
When it comes to the building process and material options 27% of homeowners said that they would advise other renovators to do better research and planning. The ‘Get Planning’ section of the Hardie™ Home Guide addresses this research, offering insights into maximising meetings with designers, builders, and local council in order to lay the best foundations for a build. There’s easy to follow budget checklists, interior and exterior style considerations, as well as builder Neil Hipwell of FutureFlip discussing top tips on getting building approvals.
Neil Hipwell says it’s important to do your research and ensure you meet local council guidelines. James Hardie’s research reveals 22% of homeowners compromise their designs because of issues including heritage, council and estate requirements[3]. “If there’s a unique look in the area you live, make sure the build or renovation is suited the area,” says Neil. First impressions count and materials matter, while style will naturally inform product choice. Axon™ Cladding is perfect for a Scandi Barn transformation, Hamptons-style renovations benefit from hardwearing, horizontal Linea™ Weatherboards, while Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding, a low-maintenance alternative to traditional cement render, provides a clean, uncluttered interior or exterior wall.
Writing down expectations for your new home or renovation is great for conceptualising, then James Hardie’s Budget Checklist can help estimate all anticipated costs and create a spreadsheet to track your budget. Unexpected budget blowouts are almost always discovered when renovating and it’s best to get ahead of them.
- Get Building
Being aware of tried-and-tested tips can help your project run smoothly and achieve the results you desire. Once you have completed your planning, Hardie™ Home Guide’s Get Building section includes questions to ask and tips on how to appoint a builder, and why it’s a good thing to gravitate towards builders who are happy to provide addresses of past projects and contact details of former customers. This stage also touches explores why and how to select the specific building materials you want to use.
Specifying materials is an important first step when starting the building process, especially when every building material needs to be selected and specified. “As a homeowner, never assume that the builder will make a decision in line with what you decide. It’s best to make the decisions yourself,” says Rebeka Morgan, founder of BuildHer Collective, who shares more specifying tips in the guide.
Further to specifying materials it’s important to research its durability, sustainability, cost-effectiveness, energy rating, and maintenance requirements before settling on materials. Discover if building materials are rot and impact resistant, resistant to moisture damage, deemed non-combustible, and adhere to Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) requirements – doing so provides peace of mind.
Once you have a finished house plan and fit-out specification, source three quotes in writing from reputable builders or tradespeople. Communication is key and builders play an important role in making successful adjustments to plans. More than one in three (38%) of the renovators surveyed turned to a builder for advice so ensuring clear dialogue with builders is beneficial. Homeowners need to fully understand what is and what is not included before signing a contract.
Dealing with defects? While it’s your builder’s responsibility to ensure the property is free from major building defects for six years post-build completion, keep the lines of communication open and give regular feedback to your builder. It will make dealing with any issues that crop up much simpler.
- Get Finishing
It’s time to think about those all-important finishing touches – landscaping, lighting, maintenance, interior styling and design. Tips on styling, furnishing, and how to work with a stylist are all included in this stage of the Hardie™ Home Guide.
Starting the final touches is often the hardest part of any project and Catherine Heraghty, director of interior styling firm The Stables, suggests starting with a mood board to hone your vision. Style Sourcebook is a handy, interactive online tool where you can drag and drop real products from a range of retailers and visualise your project room by room, mixing and matching your chosen finishes and fittings with pieces of furniture and textiles.
Furnishing a home intelligently is a major aspect of a build. As a general rule, start by choosing the biggest piece in each room, such as the dining table, sofa, bed or a statement piece of art, then add layers of accessories which can be gradually incorporated until project completion.
If budget allows, hiring a stylist can save a lot of stress. Understanding your personal style preferences before calling any professionals will help when choosing the best person for the job. A mood board will prove invaluable in communicating your vision to your stylist, decorator or designer. It’s also worth deciding which existing pieces to keep and which to leave out.
- Get Sharing
This is the fun part after completing your build. This stage explores how home-owners can expertly share their experience through social media, discuss trends with other renovators, and explore seasonal decorating.
To add a feeling of surprise and delight in your home, you can easily change the look by refreshing décor to suit the time of the year. Need to get cool or cosy? Swap out linens, cushions and other homewares to align with the season, and add decorative elements extra impact. You don’t have to go all out – just a subtle nod to the season is all it takes.
Sharing on social? Get some inspiration from Three Birds Renovations and learn top tips for making great home TikToks and Instagram Reels. To create a great social video, always record in portrait rather than landscape, save and use the best trending audio to accompany the content, use relevant hashtags, and of course keep videos short, sharp, and snappy!
Find the ultimate resource for home builders and renovators at https://hardiehomeguide.jameshardie.com.au/
