How to Renovate a House in 9 Manageable Steps
You might be debating getting your house or part of your house renovated. This is a superb way to put your own stamp on your home, fall in love with your house again, and add value to the property. Although it may seem like a large cost in the short-term, you may end up adding value to your home in the long-run.
Alternatively, maybe you are looking at buying a property that needs renovation. This can be a fantastic way of getting the home that you want if you aren't planning to buy a house that is already fully renovated.
In this article, we will tell you the steps to be followed when renovating a house.
How to Renovate a House in 9 Manageable Steps
1. Decide What You Want to Have Renovated
Perhaps you just want to renovate a few rooms in a house, for instance, the kitchen and living room, or you may be looking to renovate the entire property. Consider what you want to do and what works for your budget, then consult the right professionals. If you are renovating an entire property, you may need to hire a designer, architect, and even structural engineer. For a bathroom and living room, you may need an electrician, painter and bathroom fitter.
Home Renovator Price Guide
2. Get an Idea of The Condition Before You Purchase
If you are purchasing a new property to renovate make sure that you have all of the right information about the condition of the house. It may already be in great shape but if not there are a few questions you may need to ask!
If it's an older home it's beneficial to consider these aspects:
- Does it have any dampness?
- Is any of the structural integrity to the property damaged?
- Are there any infestations?
Based on your findings, this will inform how much work you will need to have done.
3. Get The Right Paperwork
To renovate a house or part of a house in the UK there are a few essential pieces of paperwork that you need to acquire.
Renovation Insurance – You need to make sure that you have the right insurance coverage for your renovation project. If you don’t, you are not covered for project-related risks, as well as fire and theft. (You may even wish to secure the building against potential thefts if, for example, there are rotting doors and windows that compromise the building's security on a daily basis).
Planning Permission – Not every type of renovation will need planning permission but larger projects such as extensions or balconies will require you to apply for planning permission. It is best to check with your designer and, or builder as to whether you are likely to need permission for certain projects.
Buildings Regulation Approval – The majority of projects require building regulation approval to ensure that health and safety standards are adhered to, for example, fire safety.
Listed Buildings Consent – This applies to the alteration of listed buildings and is essential if you plan to carry out any work on listed buildings in the UK.
4. Set a Budget and a Schedule
It is essential to have a realistic schedule of when you want the work doing. Working with professional experts will help you to design a realistic plan for your renovations, with the right time scale and in accordance with your budget. There is nothing worse than over-optimism when it comes to renovations. The last thing you want is to be living in a half-finished house for much longer than you anticipated.
Bidvine Tip: Once you and the professional(s) you hire have agreed on the cost, project timeline, and materials it can be helpful to draft a contract to ensure everyone is on the same page. Select experts who have great reviews and a portfolio of work to show you. It’s worth making an investment in a person or team who will get the job done perfectly the first time.
5. Get Any Necessary Demolition Carried Out
Demolition is essential for many renovation projects, and it is vital that it is done correctly. It can be dangerous and time-consuming, and it can be difficult to tell exactly what might be lurking behind existing walls (such as asbestos or electrical wiring), so make sure that you hire a contractor with all of the right credentials so as to ensure the success of your project.
Bidvine Tip: Make sure that you sell, salvage or recycle any items that you will no longer need, such as old bathroom furniture. To simplify the process considering hiring a rubbish removal professional or a skip hire for larger renovations.
6. Do The Work Behind The Walls
The next stage is to do any work needed behind the walls, floor or ceiling, such as insulation, plumbing, electrical work, heating, air conditioning, and so on.
Again, make sure that you are working with a qualified professional, as mistakes in these areas can be incredibly time-consuming and expensive to rectify if you don’t have the skills to do this.
7. Install Floors, Paint, Plaster, and Tiles
The next stage is the installation of new floors and the plastering and painting of the walls. If you are renovation a bathroom or kitchen this is also a good time to install your tiles.
Some contractors will want to do the floors first and others will want to paint first, and this can be influenced by the schedule of the project as well as other installations that need to be made (such as kitchen units).
8. Install Fixtures and Cabinetry
Once the floors are in and the walls are painted, it is time to install things like cabinets, ovens, toilets, and so on. At last, your renovation is starting to take shape!
Each of these added details is a top way to infuse the renovation with your personality. With bright cabinets and modern appliances, you'll look forward to spending time in your home as you wrap up your renovation.
9. Get The Finishing Touches Done
Once you have had the major work done, all that is left are the finishing touches. These include things like final touches of paint detailing, light fixtures, sealing around bathroom furniture, and so on.
At this stage, you may also want to work with an interior designer to get all of the soft furnishings to work for your new home. They can help you choose the best pieces for your home!
Summary
Renovating a house is not an easy task, but it is certainly highly rewarding. Make sure you get the job done properly by hiring expert professionals who will ensure that your project is carried out to the highest level of quality.
Looking for home improvement inspiration? Check out this guide on 7 Budget-Friendly Home Improvement Ideas.
