There’s nothing that brims with as much potential as renovating your home, taking somewhere you love and transforming it into your ideal space. But with so many choices and places to tackle, it can be a daunting prospect too, which is why knowing where to start is vital. So, here’s a straightforward guide for UK homeowners that’ll set you off on the right foot and get your renovation off to a flying start.
Understanding Your ‘Why’ and Setting a Budget
If you’re considering a home renovation, there’s likely something motivating it – more space for family, better energy efficiency, boosting your property’s value, etc . Whatever the reason, it’ll guide your decisions throughout your renovation. Next, set a realistic budget by estimating how much materials, labour and other elements may cost. Include a back-up fund of 10-15% on top to handle setbacks or surprises. It may seem like a lot, but consider it in light of the possible savings your renovation will bring, like savings on energy bills or moving costs.
Assessing Structural Integrity and Addressing Urgent Issues
If you’re planning a bigger project that’ll involve something like an extension or more structural elements, you’ll want to assess your home’s integrity first. Damp, subsidence, damaged plaster, and more could be underlying issues to address. When addressing damage is the main reason behind a renovation, like roof or wall damage, make sure you know the full extent before getting into the planning phase. Otherwise, you may get stuck in only to find there are more widespread issues that cause you to reevaluate your whole renovation.
Planning Permissions and Regulations in the UK
Another thing to consider when taking on a renovation project is whether you’ll need planning permission before work starts. Not having the proper permissions might mean that you end up needing to demolish any unauthorised work. Depending on what you have in mind – an extension, adapting a listed building, or works to a home in a conservation area – you may be faced with different challenges. Give yourself enough time to go through the approvals process, between a few weeks and a month or two. While you can apply for retrospective planning permission in theory, there’s no guarantee it’ll be granted.
Considering Layout and Functionality
Once you get into the details, you’ll want to think about how your renovation could complement your daily life. Would knocking a wall through create a more open space? Where would small changes have bigger improvements and add convenience, like adding extra plug sockets or windows within a space. Extra storage tucked away, making use of small nooks and crannies, can also be a great consideration within a bigger project.
Prioritising Essential Services: Plumbing and Electrics
After getting a rough idea of what you want your renovation layout and features to include, make sure you get the essential services sorted. Updating plumbing and wiring to meet today’s standards can save you a serious headache, while also helping to facilitate a new layout and modern improvements. Adding in smart home features, security upgrades and even roller garage doors can add extra convenience and practical value.
By focusing on these key areas first, you’ll build a solid foundation for your renovation, helping to ensure a smoother process and better results.
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