FROM THE EXPERTS

Natasha Markham MAUD

What’s your five-point guide – some general rules of thumb – to renovating in heritage areas that involve council and compliance?

01 Do the groundwork. Preparation is key to any successful renovation, but it’s particularly true for sites in heritage areas. Most projects involve a revision of the traditional layout to better reflect contemporary living, but old houses also require remedial work to make them warm, dry and comfortable. Preliminary work should focus on scoping the extent of work required and finding the balance between brief, budget and timeframe for your project. An architect can help you navigate this process and the subsequent stages.

Properties in older areas typically come with additional constraints. Tight sites with old infrastructure often require a number of specialist consultants to assist in