Fans of fictional detectives know they all have one common trait: a close attention to detail. You may not feel like Sherlock Holmes but you will need his eye for the little things when you decide to build, renovate or extend your own house.
To create your perfect property, Avey & Son Ltd can make your dream home come true. But you will need to play your part by anticipating all the decisions which will need to be right if you are to enjoy your future home.
With a 30-year heritage of helping clients deliver their dream new build homes, Avey & Son’s enviable reputation for craftsmanship means we have the imagination to create something unique and know how to deliver excellence. Our unrivalled attention allows us to deliver a high-quality service from conception to completion.
Drawing upon Avey & Son’s extensive experience in construction founder Phil Avey shares his expertise on how to focus on delivering your dream home.
Tip 1: Start by planning life in the new development
Whether you plan to extend the first floor of your property over the garage or building a luxury home on a plot, Phil says you should take the time to plan every detail.
“Understanding how you are going to live in the development has to be your starting point,” says Phil. “You can get a firm grip on the design from the outset and ensure costs are kept firmly under control if you plan ahead and imagine every scenario.
“Too many people fail to think carefully about the details and do not anticipate all the small actions that go into their day, which can cause problems when your architect and developer gets to work. We have a high success rate because we get clients to think through their journey. Rather than going straight to the fixtures and fittings, think about how the space will be used.
“If it has space where you might hold celebrations, think how it will take place. If it is more functional, imagine everyday things like: ‘Where does the sun come up? Where do you like to do your household chores, like the ironing? Where do you plug in the Christmas tree each year?
“Once you work through these scenarios you can look at the layout and details of how you want each space to look.” Phil says you should be able to answer one simple question in every decision you make: “How do you LIVE?”
Tip 2: Avey’s consultancy service can help you realise your dreams
Whatever you are planning, you will need a sounding board with experience and know-how. Avey & Son offer clients support from sourcing an architect to draw up the plans, through the planning process and then finding craftspeople to deliver each aspect of the job.
Among the highlights of their portfolio is the delivery of “very high end” work such an extensive kitchen extension, requiring a significant amount of complicated structural work, including the removal of the corner of the existing house.
Phil says: “Such an undertaking requires experience and knowledge, as one mistake can bring the house down. Working closely with the architect, Avey & Son fulfilled the structural requirements and created the structure for a pre-designed Small Bone kitchen, one of the most exclusive on the market.
“Having worked closely with the family owners, despite the structural and technical challenges Avey & Son were pleased to complete an excellent fitting, providing them with a one-off piece of work specifically made for them. If you work in partnership with your builder from the start, both sides can see the benefit of collaboration.”
Tip 3: Dare to dream – capture the mood with electronic tools
The realities of a construction project may be on your mind but you can still let your imagination run wild with dreaming up the look and feel of your new home.
He says: “We love working with clients who have really put the time into imagining ‘the art of the possible’ when they plan the project. You can make a digital mood board, which is usually a collage page of photos and illustrations that capture the look and design you have in mind.
“Presenters on TV like George Clarke have got people dreaming about the possibilities so create an online store of the inspirations for your project. We recommend using websites to store all the images which appeal to you to then create the theme and design.”
Tip 4: Do your homework and research the prices of everything on your wish list
Researching the price of all aspects of your plans will save heartache or going over budget later, warns Phil. He says: “While you are dreaming of how it will look, make full use of all the online resources to price up everything on your list.
“You need to know your numbers on the big set-pieces, such as kitchens or bathrooms, through to smaller fixtures and fittings to avoid any nasty surprises. With our experience, we may be able to help you find alternatives to leading brand products within the trade or give you practical advice on how to achieve your goals while keeping to your budget.”
Tip 5: Understand the timings of your project
If you do not always know your mind and make decisions quickly, then you need to understand how the project will unfold so you do not accrue cost by late changes of heart, warns Phil.
“When you are starting with a blank piece of paper, you have all the time in the world,” he says. “If you maintain an open dialogue with your construction partner then if you change your mind on key aspects you will understand your options.
“Once planning applications are submitted, for example, it can be costly to start making wholesale changes. Everyone involved will want to be flexible, but you need to be clear in your own mind about the windows to make changes to keep you on track to make your dream home come true.”
To get started on realising your dream home with Avey & Son, call Phil Avey on 07973 628791 or email phil@aveyandson.co.uk
