What is it? What does it mean to you?​​

For most homeowners, the traditional approach is to hire an architect or designer, get the plans drawn up and have three reputable contractors bid for the job. The alleged advantage of this approach is that the architect/designer can help you sift through your ideas, convert your ideas to details & provide comprehensive professional services in the area of design. You then get the best price for the delivery as the contractors are bidding independently of each other.

The main disadvantage to this approach is that it’s the most EXPENSIVE option for design. Most architects have little experience in the logistics of remodelling and their approach is geared towards the design and not the cost of the project. This regularly results in projects that don’t get built because of the limitations imposed by budget & structure.

The alternative approach is one called Design & Build. The concept is to integrate quality design and construction services within the same company. We start with an idea and a budget, and the build is then designed to suit – not the other way around. The results are less expensive designs and a project much more practical to build.
As a Design & Build contractor we are able to see your project through from start to finish delivering your wants, desires and needs, all whilst keeping your budget in mind. Don’t get us wrong we aren’t saying architects don’t have a role to play. We’re just saying the design and structural elements that relate directly to the installation are best handled by a Design & Build contractor who has the experience to understand the complexities of installations, their limitations and their true cost.
What Really Happens During a Refurb?

Having your home refurbished is uniquely different from building a new home. With refurbishments your home is the worksite and contractors have to work within the existing structure and use the existing services (electrics & plumbing). All of which have been installed over the years by any number of tradesmen, good and bad, and during periods when Building Regulations may be different to how they are today. This is why, at Lecale Homes, we always price to replace in full any mechanical services and, where applicable, the building structure in order to provide a first class install and our guarantee on workmanship.

An important thing to understand is that homes built even as recently as 45 years ago weren’t designed to incorporate a lot of the technology available in today’s constructions. Technology such as improved insulation, under floor heating systems, air conditioning, audio-visual systems, wall-hung toilets and vanities, to name just a few. These are great additions to any home, however a lot of additional work may be needed in order to ensure a successful install. This only leads to increased costs. Other building contractors may choose to ommit these upgrades in order to keep their costs low. We don’t. We have invested a lot of time, research and experience in designing and implementing systems that ensure the perfect end result. In circumstances where clients choose to use a specialist contractor for items such as security systems we work hand in hand with these contractors to ensure a smooth installation.
Managing a job site is a skill like any other speciality. There are a myriad of components that need to intertwine to get the desired end result. In the beginning, progress appears fast with drastic changes take place, especially during demolition, brickwork and studwork. As we fit the mechanical services and plasterboard is hung and plastering completed, visual progress is obvious. After this, during trim work, tiling, carpentry and flooring, lapses in scheduling mean staggered visual changes. As the project moves closer to completion, progress can seem to slow even further, as any number of little detail needs to be completed to create the finished result.
Have a look HERE to see example photos showing the amount of work that goes into delivering the perfect finished bathroom. If we get any of the details wrong when we build the studwork it will be too late to change these when we come to fit the room as the tiles will already be laid. This is why we spend so much time defining designs with our clients to ensure nothing is overlooked. Electric cables and plumbing pipes are the first items installed during a refurb so if they aren’t properly planned they become very costly to change at later stages. Not to mention also causing delays to the project’s completion. Something neither we nor our clients want!
In all instances, we recommend our clients vacate the property while the work is being carried out. This isn’t always possible and in these situations you will be living in the construction site. Your routine will have to be adjusted and living space will become more cramped as zones are cordoned off. This is especially true in kitchen and bath remodels. Unfortunately there is no way to prepare for this intrusion, other than to know it is coming!

Finally, expect to be pleased. You’ll find that our well-planned, well-executed refurbishment process will make you smile for years to come. Our sole objective is to exceed your expectations, so that you can recommend us to your friends or use us on your next project.