Home renovation: Your step-by-step guide
Whether you want to renovate a new property to create your dream home, or give it a makeover to sell on the market, there are a number of things to consider along the way. Renovating a property is a big project to take on and it requires a substantial investment of time and money on your part, so you need to plan ahead to help you make a success of it. Read our step-by-step guide to home renovation to find out the best place to start.
Find the right property
Value for money should be the number one priority when it comes to property renovation. There is no shortage of properties on the market that can be updated and improved, but you have to be sure that when you are ready to sell, it achieves the right sort of price.
You can find plenty of potential projects online in property listings, or via auctions and directly with estate agents. Once you set your sights on a property, hire a surveyor to carry out a structural assessment to look for things like subsidence, drainage problems, damp etc.
Take into account the property location and how much of the work required will be surface level and structural. Review sale prices in the area to get an idea of potential value once the renovation is completed and see if any neighbours have successfully carried out similar changes to their homes. Lastly, always check with a local estate agent to see if they’ll come and provide you with an estimation of what the new value of the property will achieve.
Plan the design
With the property purchase secured, you need to think about how you want it to look once the renovation has been completed. You should get an architect on board to discuss the options available to you within your budget.
A reputable architect will lay out any potential issues and highlight where planning permission may be required. If they work closely with an interior designer, they may also be able to give you a complete design package for the space. They should also have established contractors with locally who can take on the building work.
Finalise your budget
Budget plays a central role in deciding the amount of renovation you can carry out on the property. You should be aware there are some additional costs that have to be factored in to a renovation, such as:
Valuation fees
Council tax
Reconnection fees (water/electricity)
Professional fees (planning permission/Building Regulations/surveys)
Legal costs (solicitor/conveyancer)
Renovation insurance
You also have to take into consideration paying for any unexpected costs that will invariably arise when renovating a house – even with the most detailed of planning there are always issues that come up. To counter this, you should have a contingency fund of at least 10% of your total budget so you aren’t left short if and when an unexpected problem crops up.
Put together a schedule of works
You’ll need to write up a schedule of works that details the work that will be carried out on the property. It covers all of the jobs that need to be completed, no matter how small, listed from start to finish. If you hire a contractor to carry out the work, this is something they will be responsible for, and it enables you to keep track of all the completed and outstanding jobs left on the renovation project.
A schedule of works should include things like:
Current condition assessment
Demolition work
Drains
Damp repairs
Major building work
External works
First fix
Plastering
Second fix
Decorating
Final clean
Please note, this isn’t a comprehensive list as requirements vary depending on the nature of the project.
Think about planning permission
Not all renovation projects require planning permission, particularly if it’s only internal work. However, extensions or alterations made to the roofline could mean you need to apply for planning permission, so always check with your architect or local authority.
You also have to think about Building Regulations approval and listed building consent, if your property falls into that category. Changes that affect the boundary of your house could be affected by the Party Wall Act – so be sure to check this before starting any work.
Consider using an architect
For larger scale renovations, including extensions, it is a good idea to get an architect on-board. At Tereyn we can talk you through the planning and design process, produce detailed designs and offer expert advice on the type of renovations the local authority in Cambridgeshire will be more likely to accept. To find out more, call us today on 07984 760 920 or send us a message here and we’ll get right back to you.
