6 Tips to renovate your home

I’m sure we all have a little renovation task we’d love to do to our home but just never get round to it, or haven’t saved the money yet but with spending more time at home, we notice how important this renovation idea is to us and there is no better time to get planning and look into it in more detail.

Create your Budget Plan

Before you start, it is important to ask yourself how much you are willing to spend throughout the whole renovations process. Estimating costs will help you to create a realistic budget plan by contacting local renovation companies to compare quotes.

From here, you can choose and prioritise what is most important to you and start to explore your options and limitations. Remember to factor in permits from developers!

Pick the Right People

Find professional people that match their skills to your vision and, of course, who can complete the job within your budget. Get them to send you a portfolio of similar work they have completed and have a rummage around their website to find out the ins and outs of how they operate.

A meeting with them would be ideal but in the current lockdown circumstances, you can set up a video call and discuss the work you require and this is your opportunity to do your due diligence and make sure the team you choose has all the correct qualifications and experience to meet your needs.

Be honest and clear about the things that you want and don't want. Clear communication is the key to get the best results, explain to them your expectations and the what and when you want to achieve.

Determine the Scope of Work

This is a scope of work that will be put together by yourself and the renovation team of your choice. Make sure you are in control and know exactly what is needed, how long it will take and when specific jobs are happening so you can plan ways to live around the renovation work.

Be realistic with yourself on time scales, although you want everything done quickly so you can have your home back, you will only regret cutting corners in the future when your vision doesn’t quite come out the way you wanted.

Keep yourself in the loop and check work as it happens to avoid any waste of materials and time.

Secure all necessary permits

Before you implement any of your plans, you should know the restrictions and permits that you need to acquire. You need to be honest about the things that you will do to avoid problems in the future from developers when it comes to the resale of the property. Selling the property may not be at the forefront of your mind, but when or if the time comes, it's good to know that you won’t have any unexpected fines or have to undo all of your hard work. By knowing the rules and regulations, your approval chances will be higher and faster.

Set a Detailed Timeline

Create a realistic timeline with the renovation team you choose.Remember that it usually takes more time to complete tasks than you usually think. To avoid the disappointment of your renovations not happening overnight, set a realistic time frame with a schedule that has an allowance if things don’t quite go to plan the first time round - these things happen - and manage your expectations.

Be Patient and remain calm

Remember that not everything you plan will go smoothly, allow for a few hiccups along the way and a couple of delays and you won’t be quite as taken aback than if you weren't prepared.

You will have to make decisions you were perhaps not expecting but don't rush, these are decisions which could impact the overall look of your beloved home, so take the time to sit and contemplate. Your home may not feel like a home for quite some time depending on the extent of your renovations and it could be quite a hardship for a while. It may be a good idea to book a little stay-cay if your funds and time allows, until and let the renovation team get to it whilst you’re away depending on the time scale. It’s nice to get away for a little break if you’ve been living in dust for quite some time. Relax and know that the work is temporary and will be worth it!