Start with a measured survey of the existing house
Old houses rarely match their original naqsha, if one exists at all. Rooms have been added, windows closed, and levels raised over the years. A measured survey records the house as it actually is today, including wall thicknesses, ceiling heights, beams and the positions of pipes and drains where they can be traced.
This survey becomes the base for every renovation drawing. Skipping it is the most common reason renovation work goes over time, because the plan was drawn for a house that does not quite exist.
Walls you can move and walls you should not
Opening up a lounge or merging two bedrooms often means removing a wall. Some walls only divide space, but others hold up a slab, a beam or the floor above. Only a qualified structural engineer, ideally registered with PEC, should decide which is which and design any beam or support needed in its place.
Signs of past problems, such as cracks, sagging slabs or rusted sariya showing through plaster, should be checked during the survey. Fixing these as part of the renovation is far easier than after new finishes go on.
- Partition walls: usually removable after checking services
- Load-bearing walls: need an engineer's design for any change
- Walls under upper floors: always check before touching
- Walls with plumbing or wiring: plan new routes first
Living in the house during renovation
Many Lahore families stay at home while renovating. A phasing plan divides the work into stages so a working kitchen, a washroom and sleeping space stay available at each step. Dusty work can be scheduled while the family is away, and temporary services planned in advance.
Discuss phasing with your designer before the drawings are finalised. It may change what is built first, for example completing a new washroom before the old one is removed.