REBECCA & MATTHEW’S TOP TIPS
The biggest challenge was the number of decisions to make in quite a short time. We were a bit naïve about that. We also learned there’s a sequence to things, and a balance to be struck so you can still be flexible enough to make changes as you go along. In retrospect, it might have been better if we had made some of the design decisions earlier.
It’s important to be onsite as much as possible so you can continue to develop the relationship with your builder and be there to make
decisions. If you can’t live in the building, relocate to somewhere nearby.
Spend money on what matters to you – we wanted an aluminium roof for the rear extension rather than PVCu, and to make sure we could pay to make it happen we delayed some of the finishing work on other aspects of the project.
had to give attention to things like making sure that the bi-fold doors at the front mirrored the size of the garage doors for symmetry.” She adds: “It was stressful at times, but if you stick to the advice you get from the council you should be alright.” However, Rebecca offers the advice that if there’s something “important to your design vision and how you want to use your home,” it may be worth “standing your ground or making minor adjustments to negotiate towards your end goal – even if it delays the planning application process.”
PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUCCESS The McCloskeys agree that their builders played a vital role in overcoming problems and the
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eventual success of the project. Matthew says: “We wanted a recommended local outfit because they’d have a reputation to protect, and because we could look at their other work. We also didn’t want them to be too big a firm, so there’d be a real and personal relationship.” Rebecca says: “Matt and I were project- managing, so cultivating and maintaining a good relationship with the builder was key. It has to be give and take, because there’s always going to be something that goes wrong, some unexpected twist. So, ongoing discussion and a willingness to be flexible when needed is very important.” As well as project-managing, Rebecca also took on the interior design. It was an experience
sep/oct 2021
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