Most common mistakes made in Bedroom Renovations can be avoided by being aware of them beforehand and taking the right precautions to prevent them from happening in the first place.
Check Building Regulations First
Structural changes and new electrical circuits are examples of work that requires approval under Building Regulations, not just under Planning Regulations. Make sure you know when your bedroom work requires approval under Building Regulations before you start commissioning people to do work for you. It is a complete waste of money if you have to pay to have non-compliant work undone.
Plan Lighting Before You Plaster
It’s also important to note that you should decide exactly where your ceiling lights, wall lights and the sockets for your bedside lamps are going to be before you start to plaster and paint. It can cost a lot of time and money to chase cables through walls that have already been finished. Make a simple sketch of where you plan for these to be and check it with your electrician before you start the first fix.
Fix Flooring and Furniture First, Then Paint
Paint colours look TERRIBLE next to carpet samples, area rugs, and even bed frames. Try your best to select your flooring and main pieces of furniture first and then pick out a paint colour to go with your furniture selection.
Measure Walls Properly Before Ordering Fitted Furniture
An old house is rarely square, so before you have built-in wardrobes or units made, it is wise to take diagonal measurements across the walls of the room, and check the ceiling for any rake or slope.
Do Not Overlook Ventilation
Air quality in a bedroom is important to prevent condensation and dampness in a newly decorated bedroom, especially if insulation has been added to the room or the seals on the windows have been altered. A trickle vent or a small extractor fan in a bathroom that is sited near to the bedroom can help to remove moist air from the room.
Build in a Contingency Budget
A little careful planning at the start saves a great deal of expense halfway through. Set aside at least ten to fifteen per cent of your total budget for unexpected findings – hidden damp, outdated wiring or uneven subfloors are just a few examples of things that can arise once walls are taken down.
A little planning at the beginning will save a lot of money in the middle of the project.
