Renovating or Extending a Period Home 

Where do you begin to create your period showplace?

Olive Rowe is a restoration specialist and designer for her building company, Omrank Pty Ltd, with 30 years experience in the building industry, a member of The Housing Industry of Australia (H.I.A.) and a registered building practicioner.

Olive reflects on her struggle to be accepted into the former Housing Guarantee Fund Ltd (H.G.F.L.) all those years ago. She was the first H.G.F.L. sole female builder in a male dominant world having to prove her worth and ability with projects she had undertaken for five years before that time.

Olive Rowe personally consults and custom designs the additions and renovations of Victorian, Edwardian, Californian Bungalow and Spanish Mission style homes.

Olive explains how to achieve a successful result for a renovation project:

“The most important part of any project is the Plan of the works (Working Drawings). This requires detailed communication between the client and the designer. If you have comprehensive working drawings and specifications drawn by an architectural draftsperson or architect, your project will run smoothly. This is reflected in the fees you will be charged because of the time taken to produce this comprehensive detail in the Plans and Specifications. Most disputes arise because of poor quality plans. This is often a result of property owners choosing to pay a draftsperson without architectural qualifications, thinking they are getting a bargain. The plan only covers the structural detail required by Council. Contract details will not be included. This obviously takes far less time to produce which is reflected in the fee charge, however, the result is predictable and inferior. Generally the builder has to interpret these plans and he does so to the best of his ability and with the information given. Equally the owner’s expectations were something else due to lack of detail.

Custom designed plans include a concept plan, an existing plan, proposed plan, elevations and site plan of your home to suit. Framing plans, slab details, roof layouts, electrical, joinery, cabinet work and drainage plans are also carried out when necessary according to the complexity of the work, along with detailed contract specifications.

A poorly prepared specification which does not cover the entire scope of the work is often where some plans fall short and this often leads to disputes between the builder and the client. Items such as cornices, architraves, windows, tiles, whitegoods and electrical works are often the course of dispute due to lack of clarity from the outset.

You also require a Permit from your local council and a soil test for all works unless minor. Sometimes surveying of the site is also required to establish your boundaries.

Town Planning Permits are often required and always required where council overlays are in place eg: a Heritage Overlay. Many conditions for permits vary from council to council and therefore it is advisable to consult with a professional to sort out the requirements for you and to steer your submission through the various authorities and negotiate appeals if necessary.

You would be advised to obtain more than one quotation for your works and references for your chosen builder. There needs to be properly prepared Contract Documentation for your project usually drawn by your builder. Discuss thoroughly the Contract details, the Plans and Specifications so all parties fully understand and agree to the contract before signing. Have your contract checked by your adviser before signing, to avoid any disputes. These steps will ensure the improvements to your home are carried out successfully in a professional manner and with as little stress as possible.

Authentically restored period homes require great attention to detail while cleverly updating with all modern living conveniences and light so often lacking in the past. Properties vary from simple cottages to the most elegant and grand of its period. Sympathetic and fastidious attention to detail and proportions are the keys to authentic restorations and additions. At the conclusion of the works if you can walk through a property and not be able to tell where it all began you have achieved your goal.

This brings you to the interior and exterior decoration and landscaping, which also has to be approached with the same attention to detail. The colour schemes of period houses are the making or breaking of a project. The colours have to be just right to create the right ambiance for the era. The modern colours of today are not correct for period houses. Interior decorating is the final finishing touch to a total restoration and should be chosen to suit the period. Traditional colours can be lightened by mixing in lesser strengths maintaining the right family of colour, while providing a lighter, more modern look if preferred.

Soft furnishings are also part of the final picture. There are many period and reproduction fabrics, wall-papers, freezes and boarders available to suit these house but they must be chosen with care and knowledge. For example drapery in formal areas should also be in the style of the era otherwise ambiance and atmosphere are lost. Landscaping, paving and fencing should finish the picture, framing the house and emphasising the era of your home.

We are so fortunate today, that there is an abundance of all materials and finishes now readily available, all sympathetically reproduced for the consumer for any period house design. This is not like it was when I first started out when the only source of materials was to look through wrecking yards. You can still do this today for that extra special piece which is a wonderful surprise when you find it and creates lasting conversations at dinner parties.”

Olive Rowe can advise and guide you through all these areas providing you with all these services for an addition or restoration to suit your needs and to make your dreams for your showplace a reality.

For an obligation free consultation contact
Olive Rowe on (03) 5368 2144