Inside: Five essential tips for newbie renovators. Collaborative post.
Often, buying a home that needs modernisation is more cost-effective than buying one in turnkey condition. Not only can you add value but you can put your own stamp on a place. Similarly, extending and improving your home is often more affordable than moving to a bigger one. So, it’s no wonder that many of us are considering a renovation project.
However, if you’re a newbie renovator, the process can seem a bit daunting and it can be hard to avoid mistakes. So, here are five essential tips to help you stay clear of the pitfalls and keep your renovation on track.
Plan, plan, plan
Never rush into a renovation without a plan. This leaves you at risk of hitting hidden problems, doing things in the wrong order and spending more money than necessary.
Having a plan will mean you know exactly what trades and materials are needed and when. To help you draw up a plan, it may be necessary to hire a structural engineer and architect.
If you’re unsure what work is needed to create your dream home, bring a builder or construction company on board at the beginning. They can identify issues such as damp and structural movement and can give you an idea of what can and can’t be achieved. They’ll also give you a good idea of the time scales involved with different renovation options and explain the order in which work should be done.
You can never be too detailed in your planning. Including fixtures, fittings and decor that you like will give trades an idea of the standard of finish you’re after and help them understand the vision you have. It will also help you accurately cost everything up.
Look after your finances
Drawing up a budget is the second thing you need before you start your renovation. Hopefully, once you’ve drawn up a plan, you’ll have a good idea of the costs involved.
Your budget should be as detailed as your plan. This will prevent you from overlooking any elements of the work. On top of this, you need a contingency fund. This should be at least 10% of the total budget and will be there to pay for any unexpected issues. Not having one could mean you go over budget or run out of money before the renovation is finished.
To keep the budget on track, it’s important to make sure you get at least three quotes for the renovation work and shop around for items such as kitchens, bathroom suites and flooring to ensure you get the best deal. Once work has commenced, check in with trades regularly to make sure everything’s on track. And make sure you stay on top of the schedule, so there are no hold-ups with other trades or with deliveries of materials. If this isn’t your strong point, it’s worth hiring a project manager.
Use social media
Social media is sometimes viewed negatively as it can sap your time, but when you’re taking on a renovation it’s actually a handy tool to have. By following accounts that have already started the process, you get a realistic look at what you’re in for. Learning about the pitfalls and mistakes other people have made, means you can avoid them. Try finding people and accounts that feature similar properties to yours or are making similar changes, as this will provide the best insight.
You may also benefit from following renovation accounts that are local to your area as these will give you a better understanding of local planning issues and will show you work carried out by local trades. You may also find some trades have their own accounts. So, you’ll be able to see how well they work and what type of projects they’re happy to take on.
Social media is also a good tool for getting design inspiration and understanding the process of a home or room renovation from beginning to end. You may even pick up a few handy tips on how to tackle things yourself. If you’re new to renovating, it can be helpful to start by following accounts that cover a wide range of home improvement topics such as MyJobQuote’s Instagram.
Prepare yourself
Before any work starts, you need to be prepared. Renovations are messy and disruptive, but good prep will help you deal with this.
It may be worth condensing your belongings, so you clear as much space as possible for work to take place. Sell or give away anything you don’t need or use anymore and if you have a lot of furniture that’s in the way or that could get damaged during the renovation, put it into storage.
It’s worth having a good stash of dust covers and cleaning products if you’re planning to live in the house during the renovation. An industrial-style vacuum may also be handy for cleaning up heavy dust and rubble.
Plan for the future
Whenever you’re planning a renovation, it’s important to think about the future as well as the present.
Do extensions, room sizes and home layouts offer enough adaptability for a growing family? Are the materials and finishes you’re buying of good quality and likely to last a long time?
Is your home going to be as efficient as possible? Paying for good insulation and efficient heating and appliances now will save you money going forward.