Whether you have just moved into a property that needs considerable work or you are looking to improve your current home, there are multiple things you need to know when it comes to undertaking a renovation.
Renovating any property can take months or even years of hard work, so you will need to carry out careful planning to ensure that each stage is carried out efficiently.
There are many advantages to renovating a home instead of buying a new build. Firstly, you’ll have the chance to uncover its original charm, and secondly, you could benefit from a substantial boost in value when it comes to selling up.
So, with this in mind, this guide is going to look at some of the best top tips for renovating a home that should help you with your project.
Work Out a Project Budget
Before you can conduct any plans for the re-design of the property, you will need to draw up a budget to determine how much you can spend on the project. While it is not always predictable how much the full extent of the project will cost, you should never overemphasize the budget as it could lead you to financial difficulty once the project gets underway.
Once you have established how much you have to spend, split the costs between the jobs that need completing so you can accept reasonable quotes within your price range.
Find Reliable Contractors
Once you have determined a budget, it’s time to search for reliable contractors that will be completing jobs throughout the renovation. First and foremost, you will need to find an experienced builder that will take care of the structural elements and a reputable plumber such as Beehive Plumbing that will repair and restore toilets and sinks, burst and leaking pipes, and drains.
If you’re no DIY expert, you may also need to find a painter and decorator and a professional designer to manage the interiors.
Hire a Surveyor
If you are considering buying a property for renovation, it is always advised to have a building survey undertaken so that you’re made aware of potential problems that need to be addressed.
If any issues are noted during the investigation, it could help you seal a better deal on the asking price – or make you decide to stay away from the property altogether.
A chartered surveyor should identify the following:
- Damp and mold
- Structural damage
- Draining issues
- Pest infestations
Preserve and Reinstate Original Features
Many people who are keen to restore an older house wish to bring it back to its former glory. While newer properties are much less work, there is very little left to the imagination, and they often lack the charm of their more vintage counterparts.
Over the years, a period property’s original beauty and features may have been left to deteriorate and are now looking a little worse for wear. Tragically, many original features may not have endured the decades of negligence. If this is the case, you could research similar property styles to find out which features may be lost or damaged so that you can re-establish the building’s true authenticity.
