My Top Five Considerations Before Starting Your Home Renovation
With spring in full swing, many of us are eager to refresh our homes. But before diving into any new project, it's essential to lay the groundwork to ensure a smooth and successful build. Below I share my top five top tips to help get you started:
Image: Unsplash
1. GET YOUR INTERIOR DESIGNER INVOLVED EARLY ON:
Despite to popular belief, interior designers aren't just here to choose paint colours and show up for the finishing touches. By involving us early in the process, you can tap into our expertise from the outset. We can work with you and/or your appointed architect/surveyor to ensure the plans correspond with the style and functionality of your end vision. We consider your project and budget as a whole, and ensure those essential finishing details are accounted for in builders' quotes. Getting an interior designer involved early can minimise those dreaded unknown and additional costs.
2. HAVE A CLEARLY DEFINED SCOPE OF WORKS:
Before you engage a potential builder, it's crucial to clearly understand and be able to articulate your project's requirements. My suggestion would be to sit down and draw up a comprehensive list, detailing each area of work you required, along with your desired finishes. If you are able to provide drawings and images, even better! This will help to clearly convey your vision more accurately and will lead to more accurate quotes. It will also form the basis of your agreement with your future contractors.
Good planning and early involvement from a design team can add value and minimise the dreaded unknown and additional costs.
3. OBTAIN THE NECESSARY PERMISSIONS, AGREEMENTS, AND PERMITS:
Structural changes and extensions may necessitate planning permission, permits, and written agreements with relevant parties or neighbours beforehand. Contact your local planning authority to understand the permissions required for your project. Ignoring this step can lead to costly delays and complications down the line so it is worth seeking advice and putting things in place early.
4. CONDUCT YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE HIRING:
Selecting the right builders and trades for your project can feel daunting - we have all heard horror stories. It is worth taking the time to gather multiple quotes and conduct due diligence on potential contractors. Review their portfolios and read reviews, reach out to past clients, and verify their credentials. Once you are happy to appoint, ensure you have in place contracts and payment schedules before works commence. This sets the tone for a more transparent and smoother working relationship throughout the build.
“Consult your local planning authority to understand the permissions required for your project.”
5. CHECK INSURANCES AND ENSURE SITE SAFETY:
Make sure you prioritise safety for yourself and those on site by verifying that your chosen builder holds valid insurance and public liability coverage. Appoint a designated individual (usually your key contractor) to oversee site safety and compliance with regulations. Don’t forget, you will also need to inform your home insurers and any other relevant parties of planned works.
