– Christine

Q&A

with Nikki

Any cost-cutting tips? • Always get more than one quote. • Look out for second-hand furniture and bargains. Try to recycle old furniture – a fresh coat of paint works wonders. • Consider alternatives: instead of real wooden floors we used wood-look tiles; it was much cheaper. • Do what you can yourself and use local artisans. If you have a bakkie, fetch the building materials yourself rather than paying someone to do it for you. And what lessons have you learnt? • Make sure you work with reputable people, especially those who will be on site. • Buy the right amount of building materials and ensure that they’re delivered on time, otherwise work will be delayed. • Supervision is important if you’re using outside help; this way, you can ensure that your instructions have been understood and you won’t have to do things twice.