Homeowner Information
Building or Renovating Your Dream Home?
Building and renovating your home is a mammoth task. There are a multitude of decisions to be taken, choices to be made and often it can be an extremely daunting task.
With the help of Tobermore’s design services and visualisation service, there is no need to be overwhelmed by the options available for your hard landscaping finish.
When should I start investigating options to finish the exterior of my home?
It is never too early to start thinking about the exterior of your home.
Advise your architect as early as possible that you want the wow factor to create optimum kerb appeal. Ask your architect and builder if they are familiar with the design services and visualisation service available at Tobermore Concrete and/or contact your nearest Tobermore Paving Centre directly.
If you have started work already, check the quotation generated by the builder to find out exactly what has been specified in the external finish. Has an amount been allowed for ugly concrete footpaths, basic paving flags, tarmac etc? If so, how much? Armed with this information, meet your builder to discuss your preferred hard landscaping option.
What areas are suitable for paving?
Ideally your external area should be a good balance of soft and hard landscaping to suit your needs. You may wish to pave some, or indeed all, of the following areas:
1. Footpaths around the building
2. Entrance from road to driveway
3. Driveway
4. Patio
5. Paths in soft landscaping
6. Steps at doorways
7. Ramped entrances to doorways
What issues should I consider?
For a patio area ask yourself the following:
1. How many people will use the area?
2. What ages are they?
3. Do they have special requirements? Eg wheelchair access
4. Do you want a lawn?
5. Do you require a shed? What size?
6. Is there a child’s play area? Slide, ladder etc
7. Do you want a water feature/pond?
8. Do you want different levels? Is this practical for the users?
9. Are there steps into the house or do you want it ramped?
10. How much planting do you want? Roses/herb garden/veg plot/trees/hedges/pots
11. Do you want low or high beds? Do you want the high bed to be used as a seating area?
12. Is there a barbeque – built in or free standing?
13. What patio furniture must it accommodate?
14. What bordering is required? Fence/hedge/wall
15. What about an area for bins?
16. Do you need an area for a washing line?
For a driveway, ask yourself the following:
1. How many car parking spaces are required?
2. Do you wish to be able to turn in the area?
3. How much planting do you require?
4. Do you want planting and driveway flush or a kerb to separate?
5. Do you want a feature? Eg water feature/circle
6. Is there a requirement for steps at the front door?
What can I do if my budget is limited?
One of the main advantages of using paving brick is its versatility and flexibility. There is no reason why you cannot stage paving areas at your dream home to suit your budget. Identify what areas are most important eg front steps, play areas etc. By prioritising what areas must be paved first, you can help your designer create a layout that lends itself to being added to over time.
What is the next step?
Once you have given consideration to the above, you are in an ideal position to consolidate your requirements in a design. Visit our design services page for further information.
What can you do for me?