If you live in a home and you are constantly thinking about the changes that you could make to it there is a good chance you would benefit from a home renovation. A home renovation is the best way of getting the home you want, it can also help with your home resell value if done right.
Getting a home renovation wrong on the other hand can be stressful, costly and can even ruin your relationship with your family.
If you have considered a home renovation, or you are just starting one this blog post will give you some of the best tips to make your home renovation successful.
Let’s jump right in.
Table of Contents
You must get planning permission for a home renovation
One of the most costly mistakes we see people making when it comes to home renovations is they spend money before getting planning permission. Buying appliances, and materials or hiring general contractors before having planning permission is not only a waste of time but it can be costly too.
Certain properties will have something known as permitted development which allows you to carry out certain types of development without planning permission, but it’s always important to check before you start anything.
Getting the right contractors for your project
If you are adding a conservatory to your home then you will want to hire builders that specialise in conservatory builds rather than someone who does a bit of everything. Getting a specialist may be more expensive initially but there is a higher chance they will complete the project and you will have a smooth experience with them.
When looking for contractors research as much as you can. Look at their past jobs, and the feedback they get and then add them to a shortlist if you think they could be suitable. Do this for as many companies as you can and then get quotes from them for your project.
When getting quotes remember that you often get what you pay for, so don’t automatically go for the cheapest option and don’t pay over the odds too unless there is a reason to.
Create a budget and stick to it
How much renovation costs will be determined by the work that you have done. Different rooms will cost different prices when it comes to renovating them so getting a few quotes will give you an idea of the costs involved.
When creating a budget, bear in mind that things will go wrong when renovating. To get around problems when renovating you should have a contingency fund. A contingency fund when renovating is important so that when problems arise you have the funds to fix them. A good rule of thumb is to keep around 10% of your budget as a contingency fund when renovating.
It’s easy to get excited when renovating and keeping to a budget is important so you don’t end up in financial trouble. Now would also be the time to take advantage of any homeowners insurance policies or home warranty coverage you may be enrolled in.
Plan for your build
During renovations you may want to stay with family or friends for a few days, but if the renovation lasts longer than a few days you may want to consider living in a hotel for a while.
You will also have to plan what you are going to do with your belongings. When renovating you could damage your household items if they are left out. You can either move these to a new room if you have the space, or you can rent a storage container for a few weeks. Storage containers are often the best choice when renovating a house.
If you have any pets you will want to house them appropriately too. Dust and debris can make your pets ill so having a place for them to stay while building works are ongoing is ideal. You can look for pet boarding in your area or if you are staying at a hotel you should look for pet-friendly hotels in your area. Finding a pet-friendly hotel can be difficult so you may have better luck using Airbnb.
Stick to the plan
When renovating it can be tempting to change your mind, and while there is nothing wrong with changing your mind about the design of the renovation it can be costly. Our advice would be to make all the necessary changes before going into the development stage. Changing your mind after plans have been drawn up and walls have been knocked down or built up is going to cost you money.
Sticking to your plan will ensure your budget is enough to cover your renovation costs. Not sticking to your plan will mean that you will go over budget and put the project in jeopardy.
Know the laws and save money
Knowing the law in your country could save you money on your renovation. In the UK most suppliers will have to charge 20% on top of all quotes to carry out work to your existing home. However, if you have just bought the home and it’s been vacant for two years or more you are eligible for a lower vat threshold of 5%.
Buy the right type of insurance.
A home renovation can be a significant investment on your part. Having the right type of home insurance can help if something were to go wrong. As a minimum you should have the following types of insurance when carrying out a home renovation:
- Building Insurance.
- Health Insurance.
- Home Insurance.
- Life Insurance.
- Contents Insurance.
Having the above insurance will protect you as much as possible when it comes to home renovations.
Commission a drainage survey
Something that isn’t talked about enough is the importance of carrying out surveys in general but no one mentions drainage surveys. It’s hard to tell initially if drainage will be impacted by your renovation so a survey can help with that.
A drainage survey isn’t expensive and you should be able to get one for £200. If your renovation will only impact your home’s drainage there usually isn’t a problem when it comes to being able to move the drainage. However, if the renovation impacts your neighbour’s drainage then you will need permission from your local authority to carry out your build.
Conclusion
For a home renovation project to be successfully completed, you will need to research as much as you possibly can. Carrying out this research is time-consuming but it will give you a higher chance of success when it comes to renovating your home. The research will show you if the build is feasible if it can be done under budget and will also save you money by selecting the right contractor for the job.
Do your research and you have a much better chance of a successful home renovation project.
