One may think that every space can be renovated, and that what matters most is the purchase price. To a certain extent, this is true. The essential question, however, is: how do we imagine the renovation?
Can we transform an apartment with very small rooms into an open-plan space? Perhaps yes, but perhaps not.
Can we create a W.C. wherever we want? Most probably not. Certain conditions are required.
Can we bring more natural light into the space by creating new openings, such as balcony doors or windows?
These are exactly the kinds of questions where an engineer, more than anyone else, can provide responsible answers and solutions that comply with current regulations, so that the result is a more functional and usable space.
The next issue is usually the cost of each intervention. This is when one begins to wonder: is the purchase really worth it, if everything needs to be changed?
Interventions in the internal partitions, replacement of window frames, new plumbing and electrical installations, new doors — both entrance and interior doors — new kitchen cabinets, and new wardrobes in the bedrooms are all works that can significantly increase the initial renovation budget.
Another factor that should be taken into account is whether construction crews can access the space easily or with difficulty. For example, let us imagine an internal apartment on the third floor, accessible only through the enclosed courtyard of an apartment building with a basement. In such a case, any repair to the external plumbing network — water supply or drainage — may require the installation of covered scaffolding from the basement up to the third floor. A crane vehicle with a basket would not be able to reach such a space.
Therefore, a seemingly simple repair may involve a considerable cost, which can significantly increase the overall renovation budget.
Your engineer can help you assess the balance between cost and benefit, the location of the property, the possible view, the layout potential, as well as the real cost of the required works.
If you are considering redesigning a commercial space or a residence, or if you aim to present it in a better way, you can send photographs showing the interior layout, a floor plan, as well as photographs of the building façade, for an initial architectural assessment.