Building Renovation

Manage, Maintain, Renovate Homes or Commercial Buildings

Learn what is involved with everything from fixing damaged walls and roofs, to upgrading interiors to optimise resale values.

Learn to evaluate, prioritise and plan the renovation of a building or part of a building; then enact that plan by either undertaking the work or managing the work, or both.

Lesson Structure

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to Building Renovation Projects
2. Core Structural and Site Works.
3. Replacing/Repairing Roofs and Floors
4. Doors, Windows and walls
5. Plastering
6. Carpentry Reno
7. Painting
8. Plumbing Basics
9. Electrical Basics
10. Renovating a Room

Aims

• Determine the nature and scope of work required for a building renovation project.
• Explain how to prioritise and address the most important structural deficiencies in the early stages of any building renovation.
• Explain how roofs and floors can be repaired or renovated in an old building.
• Explain how doors and windows can be repaired or replaced in a building or room renovation.
• Explain how plastering and tiling work is undertaken
• Explain tools, techniques and applications for carpentry work in building repairs and renovations.
• Explain selection and use of paints in interior and exterior decoration of buildings.
• Explain plumbing work for renovation jobs
• Explain electrical work for building renovations.
• Plan and either manage or undertake the renovation of a room

What Rooms to Renovate?

If you speak to any real estate agent they will most likely advise you that the kitchen and bathroom are the most important rooms in a house when it comes to selling.   

Kitchen Renovations
The most obvious renovation in a kitchen is replacing cupboards and bench tops. This ask alone will transform the appearance of any kitchen. Whilst you can bring in specialists to do this, kitchen designers and installers can be very expensive to employ. If you go down this route you would be well advised to have a look at some show kitchens or ask to see photographs of their previous work. References are always helpful too.
Of course the other option is to take all the measurements yourself and source cupboards that will fit. You then install them and cut your bench tops to suit. It would be wise to replace any floor tiles or linoleum before installing the cupboards. If you are on a strict budget or the cupboard frames are physically sound you might prefer to just replace cupboard doors, resurface them, paint them, or strip and varnish them (if they are wooden). Replacing the cupboard door furniture can also provide a whole new appearance.  
Other tasks in the kitchen may be repainting walls, tiling splashbacks, fixing leaks under the kitchen sink, and replacing taps or washers.         

Bathroom Renovations
Bathrooms are a very important room but they can vary considerably in what they contain, as well as in number. Having more than one functional toilet in a house is often desirable, particularly for large families. It is always a good idea to have a downstairs bathroom where feasible in a multistorey building. Perhaps more so if the house is inhabited by elderly people who have less mobility. 
A key decision will be whether to have a shower or bath, or both. If room permits, having a bath as well as a shower should future proof a property for sale at a later date. Young families, in particular, look for a bath so they can have 'bath time'. Older families and elderly couples on the other hand may prefer to remove a bath in favour of a walk-in shower with grab rails. 
When deciding on your property's bathroom needs it is wise not to make a hasty decision. For example, if you only have a first floor bathroom you might consider locating a ground floor bathroom directly beneath the upper storey one so that existing pipe work can be more easily extended. If you place it at the opposite end of the house this could incur considerably more cost. 

Other Rooms
Most other rooms in the house can be renovated to some degree. The sorts of things to consider will include paintwork and finishes on walls, floors, doors and windows. Fireplaces and permanent heaters may also be in need of repair or restoration. Ceilings may need painting, lining or cornices added or removed. Skirting boards and door architraves may be in need of work.   
Outdoor living might also be something worth considering. Adding a summer room or conservatory provides a link with nature. Perhaps adding doors leading to an outdoor patio is possible. Some buildings have enclosed quadrangles containing plants to help bring the outside in.

Benefits of Studying This Course

This course is designed to be of benefit to people who are interested in learning how to renovate buildings for themselves or in business. It will also be of value to those who are operating an existing property development business who would like to broaden their knowledge.

Take this course if you would like to:

• Find ways to improve an existing renovation business.
• Enhance your employ-ability in construction and building maintenance.
• Improve your knowledge of practical aspects of building renovation.
• Buy a property with a view to renovating it.

This course may be studied by itself or along with other 100-hour modules as part of a qualification.