Preparing for your Renovation
Renovating can be an exciting and rewarding project, a chance to create a home that supports your lifestyle now and in the future, and hopefully an achievement to be very proud of. However, it can also be a daunting task with a lot of moving parts. I often describe renovating as doing a very complicated jigsaw, you need to be able to refer to a picture/plan to know which piece goes where. If you have the right mindset and support, the process of renovating is enjoyable and the transformation will evidence that the hard work is worth it. From creating a budget to selecting a contractor, there are many things to consider when starting a renovation. In this blog, I’ll share the first 10 things to consider when embarking on your renovation journey.
1. Purpose
Consider the purpose of the renovation. Are you renovating to improve your living space or to increase the value of your home? Knowing your goals will help you make informed decisions throughout the process. In my workshops I encourage people to write a description of their home and life after completing their intended renovation, this way you can pick out what’s really important to you.
2. Determine Your Budget
The first step in any renovation project is to determine your budget. Be realistic about what you can afford and factor in a contingency budget for unexpected expenses. Research how much things cost, start with a baseline for things like tiles, kitchen cabinetry, flooring and sanitary ware. I’ve created a spreadsheet that you can adapt for your specific property requirements to see how the numbers stack up, download it from the resources section of my website. You can also get more help creating a budget from this blog.
3. Decide on the Scope of Your Project
What rooms do you want to renovate? What changes do you want to make? To help you identify which changes would make a difference, write a list of what you already love about the room and what could improve your lifestyle (e.g. I love that the room has lots of natural daylight, but it’s frustrating that there isn’t enough storage). Having a clear idea of the scope of your project will help you determine the budget and map out a timeline.
4. Research and Hire Professionals
Who do you need to work with to put your plan into action? You may not need an architect so don’t jump to this assumption. Research and hire reputable experts who have experience with the type of renovation you're planning. Get recommendations from friends and family and ask for references from those you’re interested to work with.
5. Consider Your Home's Layout
If you were to take down all internal walls, and work with the existing footprint of the property, what would you change? What rooms would you place where, and why? How would that make a difference to your lifestyle? Would you proportion room sizes differently? Would you create multi-purpose rooms? Often people eliminate moving a bathroom or kitchen, but these aren’t changes to be intimidated by, particularly if you’re ripping them out anyway. By doing this exercise and thinking outside the box, it may be possible to improve the layout without the need of extending. You can read this blog for more advice about layouts.
6. Timeline
Having a realistic timeline for your renovation project is essential. Ask professionals how long the project will take, including any unexpected delays or setbacks, and plan accordingly. If you’re planning to work with an interior designer, involve them from the early stages, they have that ‘jigsaw puzzle’ vision and can inform trade professionals how to proceed. It helps to be patient with your project too, you will hear people say “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, taking your time to make well considered decisions is invaluable, you mustn't be rushed or pressured to make decisions as these are the things you’ll wish you did differently and will cost you to do again. An interior designer can help avoid these expensive mistakes.
7. Plan for Disruptions
Renovations can be disruptive to your daily routine. It takes longer to make a meal, clothes might be in bags so getting ready takes more thought, you may not have as many shower facilities (or you may need to be up and ready for trades who arrive at 7am!) Minimise disruptions by setting up a temporary living space, this may mean creatively scheduling the order of work. Make sure you have alternate arrangements for cooking and bathing, I wouldn’t recommend removing both facilities at once…it’s amazing how grateful you can feel to wash pots in a bath!
8. Think About Energy Efficiency
If you’re making modifications to windows, heating, insulation and flooring consider incorporating energy-efficient features into your renovation project. This can help you save money on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
9. Keep Resale Value in Mind
While it's important to make your home fit your lifestyle, it's also important to keep resale value in mind. You can research the value of homes in the same area that have undergone a renovation, look at recently sold properties on rightmove and approach an estate agent for advice. It’s important to avoid overly personalised design choices that may not appeal to potential buyers, in a previous blog post I wrote about renovating for a profit, you can read it here.
10. Have Realistic Expectations
Finally, have realistic expectations about the timeline and outcome of your renovation project. For instance you may need to sequence the work in phases and be prepared to make interim arrangements, if it’s your long term home you will have a greater appreciation for high value materials so it’s worth waiting to have what you really want. Additionally renovations can take longer than expected, and there may be unforeseen challenges along the way, but keep positive as there’s no problem that can’t be solved.
In conclusion, starting a renovation project can be overwhelming, but by considering these 10 factors, you can set yourself up for a successful and satisfying project. If you have any questions I would love to help you maximise the potential of your project.