How we can continue renovating during Covid-19

The Refresh team understands how difficult it can be for communities to keep moving forward during these challenging times. To ensure both our current and prospective customers’ renovation projects can progress safely, we have started offering video calls for our design and planning services! This way, we can support you in getting your renovation project started while adhering to local health guidelines. 

 
We are currently able to offer the following services:
- Free video consultations - at all alert levels
- Online/video design and planning services - at all alert levels
- Emergency renovations due to health and safety concerns - dependent on local guidelines
- On-site consultations and renovations - dependent on local COVID-19 restrictions

What you can expect from us

Our Renovation Consultants are operating within their regional COVID-19 guidelines. To make things easier, we are offering video calls to anyone who would like to discuss their renovation plans with a consultant. During the completely free initial consultation, you can show us your space via video call and tell us what you are hoping to achieve. We will then explain to you the process of planning your project during the lockdown period.
We can then move on to the Concept and Feasibility Stage where we get our design team involved. If we’re communicating by video call, our Renovation Consultant will teach you how to measure up and provide us with additional information so that we can translate your project into an architectural concept and investigate the feasibility of your project. We’ll help you to identify risks, constraints, and explore all ideas to ensure you get the result you desire. At this stage, we will also provide you with a cost estimate based on averages so you can start planning for what your budget can include.
Refresh will then develop detailed working drawings based on your concept plans and use these to create a detailed project cost. Your contract will include the specifics of your project, taking into account engineering, structural, design, and aesthetic decisions made by you during the planning phase. If there is anything you don’t like, this cost can still be refined by making further modifications to the design.
Since we have completed thousands of projects globally, we know it can take 4-12 weeks to get to the build stage. This means your project may or may not be ready to go once your region’s self-isolation restrictions have been lifted, but you’ll certainly be much closer to building than you would be if you started after the on-site restrictions have been lifted.

Emergency work

Refresh is ready to help in any way that we can while adhering to local guidelines. Depending on your region’s current alert level and regulations surrounding home renovations, we may be able to carry out the design and build on-site - where it is safe to do so. This is particularly likely if you urgently need renovation work carried out due to safety concerns. Please see the links below for up-to-date information surrounding renovating during COVID-19.
New Zealand
Building.govt.nz states that repair or construction work can be carried out within New Zealand homes at Alert Levels 1, 2 and 3, as long as public health measures are followed. At Alert Level 4, only essential services can be carried out on your home (e.g. services that are “needed to maintain human health and safety or avoid significant environmental harm”). For updates on New Zealand’s current alert levels, visit health.govt.nz.
Australia
For up-to-date information surrounding your state’s COVID-19 renovation regulations, please visit www.australia.gov.au or check with your local Renovation Consultant for expert advice. You can also use Health Direct’s COVID-19 Restriction Checker to find out what the current COVID-19 restrictions are in your state. 
United Kingdom
For up-to-date information surrounding COVID-19 renovation guidelines in England, please get in touch with your local Renovation Consultant and/or visit govt.uk’s COVID-19 Guidance and Support page.  
United States
As each state has its own COVID-19 guidelines, please check with your local Renovation Consultant for expert advice.

Video calls during COVID-19 restrictions
By doing everything through video calls, we are taking care of both your safety and ours! It also enables us to keep moving forward and progress things stage by stage—right up until your build.

What if I have a project underway already?

If/when guidelines allow us to return to on-site work, we will promptly complete your project. Your Renovation Consultant should have ensured the site was up to safety standards and communicated this to you. If you do have any concerns, please reach out to us.

When local regulations allow...

The build can progress and we will organise and project manage your renovation project to the end. You’ll get to see the timelines starting to fall in place through our online portal, along with what contractors will be at your home and when.

What precautions will our teams be taking when they are on-site?

When working on your project, your local team will be following the recommendations from local authorities as to the extra health and safety precautions they should take. Our teams will follow stringent processes to ensure your health and safety and theirs is not compromised. 

Suppliers

We have strong relationships with many suppliers and are working closely with them to avoid delays with receiving products and installing them under local guidelines. 

Stay safe, healthy and positive!

The team at Refresh Renovations

Book a FREE virtual consultation today!

To discuss your project and your local renovation guidelines, please feel free to get in touch.