This month we thought we’d go into a little more detail about one of our bigger projects, a home renovation in Hong Kong.
We thought it would be useful to know more about the process of renovating a home in Hong Kong with a project manager like The Home Stylist, so that you can understand the benefits of bringing on a third party.
This particular Hong Kong renovation involved a 3 Bedroom apartment unit with a balcony that our client was moving into. The vision was to turn it into a comfortable, stylish, and functional family home blending existing antiques with new storage solutions.
Let’s get into the details…
Home Renovation in Hong Kong
The first step after the client has reached out to us is to do a site visit. We always offer a walk-through of the home with the client free of charge so that we can get to know the space without too much pressure on either party. This visit will help us create a plan that takes into account the constraints of the property alongside the clients’ needs and style.
It’s really important at the start of a big renovation project like this to really understand the needs of the whole family. It’s a very personal process and we want to make sure we get to know everyone and what they are looking for from their home so that we can strike the balance between style and functionality. A home is meant to be lived in after all!
We’ll then identify the best contractors to suit the specifics of the job and the client’s renovation budget. Our contractors are renovation professionals in Hong Kong. People we know and trust, having worked together with on all manner of projects. We’ll often invite 2-3 contractors to come to the site to provide a quote, ensuring we find the right fit for the client.
We’ll also choose a lead stylist, as well as kitchen specialists, cabinet makers and furniture restoration specialists, depending on the scope of the renovation. We pride ourselves on bringing the right team together to bring our client’s vision to life.
Really, this is the biggest benefit of taking on a project manager. Our renovation clients can have us as their one point of contact while we manage the rest of the team.
For this project, the client required a lot of custom, built-in storage solutions so finding the right contractor who could make the most of the space was key.
With a guide quote for each aspect of the renovation, we can then share a detailed project proposal with the client. With our industry connections and trade discounts, clients are often surprised at how affordable it can be to work with us on their home renovation in Hong Kong, especially when it comes to custom work. Our contractors and furniture specialists can make almost anything to spec and at far cheaper prices than you’d find elsewhere!
For each renovation project, we set up a Project Management folder on Google Drive to share everything with the client. We create one Project Report that includes budget, contractor quotes, THS timesheet, project work schedule and we update these as the project progresses.
We also report on every meeting and detail any verbal instructions that are passed on over the phone or in person. It’s a really vital part of the renovation process to keep everyone up to date with detailed records of all aspects of the project and all work completed.
This is also the space where the client can share their own inspiration for the project, as well as images of the furniture and decor they already own so we always have a reference when making design decisions.
With approval from all parties involved, it’s then time for the demolition to begin!
This particular job involved gutting the entire place and we are currently at the plumbing and electrical positioning stage.
During the demolition of the new property, we worked with the client to declutter her current home. This is another really important step. We want to make sure that only the most useful and loved items are moved from the old home into the newly renovated one, saving time and money!
If our client is living in the property during renovation, this process will obviously be done room by room as we go. You can find out more about our decluttering services here.
At this stage, we are also beginning to finalise the materials and finishes for cabinetry, bathrooms, and kitchen, taking our client along to the stores to make the final decisions on things like tiles and handles.
While we manage the demolition and decluttering, the lead stylist on the project will also be working on a set of room concept mood boards.
This part of the renovation process will help us understand the finer details of the styling, including furniture and decor. The stylist will also create 2D space plans to show how everything will fit together, including any pieces the client already has.
For this apartment, the client wanted a custom TV wall feature, with lots of storage that would also compliment a beautiful Chinese cabinet she already had. Here’s an example of how we visualised that for the client.
We’ll also make sure that any vintage pieces that are going to stay in the renovated home have their own restoration and repair if needed. We want to make sure that everything will stand the test of time and that means taking care of the older items too! Often, we’ll end up bringing in specialists to reupholster or repaint well-loved items to perfectly fit with the new home.
For renovation projects like this one, there are so many people and elements involved in getting the desired result that it can be overwhelming. Our goal is to handle all these finer details so that the client can focus on the bigger picture. We want to turn the stress of renovation into the excitement of a dream home!
If you’ve got any questions about home renovation in Hong Kong, please get in touch today!
