Renovations are expensive. There’s just no way to avoid the expense but it’s possible to prioritize your money in a way that will bring maximum value. As a designer, one of my roles is to guide my clients through the process of design while always being respectful of the budget.
One of the most money-saving hacks available to clients is to use renderings and elevations. These documents can save precious time and money because you don’t have to wait until installation to see what you like and don’t like. Well before the work begins you’ll be “walking” through your new space.
What Are Renderings and Elevations?
Renderings
These are computer generated visualizations of a proposed design plan. These are created to communicate design ideas for clients and the construction team. These include colours, materials, lighting, furniture layout and provide a general overview of the completed space. These are created as a 3D document and allows you to “walk” through your future space as it has been envisioned by the designer.
Elevations
These are 2D documents that highlight vertical spaces, providing a scaled perspective of how a design should be executed in detail. These are essential to sharing instructions on how built-in elements should be addressed. These often include cabinetry, windows, doors and any structural element that needs special attention.
The Benefit of Renderings and Elevations
I’d call them priceless but here are the top reasons why you’ll benefit from including renderings and elevations into your design.
1/ Faster Client Decision Making
There is no greater loss to a budget than indecision. Time spent mulling over multiple options or endless rounds of revisions is money you’ll never get back. Instead, with the right documentation, clients can see exactly how the final space will look which will reduce hesitation and design fatigue.
It’s hard to commit to a final design knowing that these decisions will impact your future home for years to come. I understand why you might want to see multiple versions of a design and numerous revisions but those are costing you money and time.
In the world of construction if a contractor is delayed because they’re waiting for final revisions you run the risk of losing them to other work. This has a massive trickle down effect for homeowners because you may find your project on hold while another crew is rounded up.
One of the hardest parts of being a design client is trying to understand abstract explanations about materials, finishes and layouts. Renderings and elevations will eliminate endless revisions caused by confusion. You’ll move to the building phase much more quickly when there’s something concrete to review and comprehend.
2/ Efficient Planning
Renderings, particularly 3D ones, allow everyone to understand the spatial challenges of the home. This understanding can lead to more accurate material ordering and scheduling.
Without an efficient space plan there is no way for anyone to accurately understand the amount of materials needed which can lead to over and under ordering. One of the most difficult examples is when tiles are not accurately ordered, leaving you short. This can sometimes be resolved easily if there’s enough stock but there are instances where that tile is no longer available and no additional tiles can be located. The cost to rip out the tile and begin again with a new tile is not just wasteful but fully avoidable.
3/ Streamlined Contractor Communication
If you’re old enough you may remember a time when a contractor would work from a design drawn on a napkin. Those days are over and contractors expect to work from precise visuals.
Vague descriptions of designs will not be considered and in that case, you’ll have a construction crew making decisions just to keep the project moving along. Good documentation will reduce back and forth clarification between the design team and the construction team.
Being prepared with renderings and elevations will help you avoid costly delays from misinterpreting layout intentions.
4/ Prevent Redesigns Late in the Project
The purpose of good design documentation is to avoid errors in scale and placement as well as to ensure errors are visually recognized before implementation. There’s no need to experiment or play it by ear because every inch can be accounted for with a great elevation.
The benefit is these documents allow for early conflict detection. Once furniture is ordered it most often can’t be returned so understanding precise sizing is imperative. If no renderings were prepared it’s impossible to know for sure whether the furniture you’re ordering will actually fit into the space.
In the past a homeowner would have to rely on an electrician to determine the best height for hanging a pendant or the best position for a sconce. Now with elevations they can be instructed through the design documents and nothing is left to chance. Want to know more about adding lighting to your home? Read this post.
Always try to avoid project halts and delays from last minute redesigns because these are the small oversights that eat away at your budget.
5/ Reduces Time Spent Onsite
With accurate visuals there will be fewer site visits needed for clarification or problem solving. Often a designer is called back to a work site to discuss a small clarification for work in progress. This adds additional expensive hours to the client budget and those visits can become expensive if many clarifications are required.
With elevations and renderings, clients and contractors can reference drawings instead of waiting for the input of the designer.
6/ Minimizes Costly Mistakes
One of the most frustrating parts of working on a renovation is how many small issues arise when you’re not on site. While many of the issues aren’t making a big impact on the overall aesthetics, they’re avoidable with proper documentation.
Some of the more common examples of these errors are outlets in the wrong place, misaligned wall sconces and pendants hanging too high/low. These can all be addressed before the work begins with renderings and elevations.
We can also avoid the risk of product and material returns because clients will have a chance to review the renderings with materials and products included. If you hate the subway tile installed in the bathroom it’s far more cost effective to discover that before via a rendering than to wait until the tile is installed.
7/ Improves Budget Accuracy
When I know there will be renderings and elevations I can much more accurately determine the number of hours I’ll spend on the project. The documentation offers so much insight for the rest of the team and answers so many of the questions that the contractors will have.
The renderings allow all of us to see the vision as well as have all the exact measurements required for cabinetry, tiles and flooring. From where to place the vanity mirror to the exact dimensions of a built in bookcase, renderings and elevations are precise and reliable. Once a client has revised and approved the design plan the work can begin uninterrupted.
I hope this helps to understand the importance of including renderings and elevations into your next design project. If you’re planning a renovation and need help with renderings, reach out to me. I’d love to discuss how we can work together.
If you know your design style but you struggle with which paint to use, take a look at my Made-For-You paint palettes. They take the guesswork out and give you the confidence to get started.
