Renovating the House but where to Start? A Detailed Guide to Renovating Your Home

Planning is the key to a successful house renovation. We have compiled this guide to help you plan and ensure the renovation of your home runs smoothly and safely.

For those who like a challenge, and want to live in a beautiful property, renovating a house is a no-brainer. You’ll enjoy your house renovation if you’re planning to live there once it’s completed.

It is true that home renovations require a lot of planning and effort, but it is a fantastic way to spruce up an old home, to add value to it, and to make it your own.

Things to Know before Starting Renovation

Following are some of the things you need to know before renovating the house.

Evaluate First

In order to avoid home renovations that end up being a money pit, how can you make sure not to get caught up in a scam? Obtain a survey before buying a property to determine the condition of the building. Even though you might be tempted to make an offer (or perhaps just schedule a viewing) there are a few things a novice should look for.

Getting the right location is crucial

If you are in the market for a renovation bargain, you should always choose the worst house on the best street. Whether you’re buying or renting, remember that a property is only as good as its location, so research nearby amenities, schools, and recreational spots.

Find out how much the street is worth

You can check how much similar properties nearby have sold for on marketplaces. You will know what your return on investment will be after remodelling the home once you know the maximum value of the house you are considering.

Watch for anything that is going to cost a lot to repair

It can be expensive to replace a roof, so look for missing/damaged roof tiles or signs of bowing timbers. If water has leaked through missing tiles, it can cause trouble inside. You should budget for new windows as well. If you decide to replace single glazing with double, you will be able to decrease energy costs as well as the loss of heat. If possible, try to maintain the original character of period windows.

Who are your neighbours? What do their homes look like?

Does the design of your changes match that of the rest of the street? Do their modifications apply to your house as well? Last but not least, are the homes well maintained, demonstrating that owners take pride in their residences?

Does it have potential to be extended?

Consider how you might change the house to make it larger for your needs if the house is not large enough. A garage or a loft could be converted easily. If the roof pitch is large enough, an affordable loft conversion can be done. It is possible to have a spacious garden and still have room for a rear extension, by leaving a sizable area to enjoy outside. If you are not sure what is possible, check out the neighbouring properties.

What kind of remodeling is needed?

It is possible to improve a home substantially, but if the costs are high and your ROI is low, you might not be the best candidate for this property. Rather, you should look for a design that will fit your needs in terms of size and layout.

Is it equipped with modern electrics and heating?

In the average three-bedroom home, if you need to completely rewire the home or install central heating, the cost for each job will be between £3,000 and £5,000. Electrical systems that are dated are ones with ceramic fuses and cast iron switches, surface-mounted wiring, fabric or black cables, Bakelite switches, and old-fashioned sockets.

Mold Inspection & Remediation: Do You Really Need It?

Many homes are affected by mold, which can pose a serious health risk. Mold reproduces by releasing spores. In addition to producing irritants, allergens, and even toxic substances, mold can also cause respiratory issues. When inhaled, mold spores can worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions. Moisture and warmth are conducive to mold growth.

A homeowner should also inspect these areas regularly for mold growth. It is must to know the importance of mold remediation to detect mold in your home as early as possible in order to protect yourself, your family, and your pets. Mold remediation experts should be contacted right away if you notice signs such as mold odor, dark-colored stains, condensation, water damage, or allergic reactions.

This must be done before more problems arise. Avoiding professional help can pose a serious threat to the health of you and your family. Furthermore, removing mold on your own may result in re-infestation.

Hire a contractor or a project manager

Having a project manager/builder will ensure that work keeps flowing, and licensed trades will eventually show up and do a good job. In addition to the seven-year warranty, all work completed by Beautiful Hunter Homes, where we have been buying and renovating homes for over 20 years, is guaranteed.

When working on your own, be sure to arrange the necessary trades in the correct order and ensure the work is up to standards. To be protected if something goes wrong, I would recommend requesting a copy of the company’s licenses and insurances.”

Short Overview of Work Sequence for Home Renovation

Always start from the top of the room and work your way down. If you start with the ceilings, then the walls, and then the floors, you will have a better chance of success. To avoid spills or splashes, have the painting done first before laying down new floors. Moreover, rather than organizing the work by room, it would be better to coordinate it by trade instead.

Below is a step-by-step guide to a home renovation. 

1. Prepare the design by coordinating with the trades involved, such as the builder and the electrician, and by checking requirements for special fittings, such as how to connect the fridge to the plumbingor to install filtering tapware.
2. Make sure the work space is safe and clear by removing all the rubble. Disassemble all the cabinets and remove the flooring.
3. New wall framing, as well as electrical, plumbing, and gas installations, take place during this stage.
4. The walls and ceilings are plastered, and if necessary, new ceilings are installed.
5. Window and door trims should be installed before cabinets.
6. During the installation of the cabinets, do not install the doors until later in order to allow access to appliances, such as a dishwasher.
7. Install both the bench sink and taps at the same time because the sink is usually cut to fit the bench.
8. The splashback and floor should be laid after the painting is completed.
9. Floors go after cabinets, but before appliances.
10. Plumber and electrician are needed to install appliances and lighting.
11. Generally, cabinet doors should be hung, drawers positioned, and any open shelves filled.

Last but not least, remember that renovations are likely to cost more and be messier than you had imagined. In any renovation style, the last 20% will take the longest and cost the most, so don’t cut corners and stick to your budget and checklist right up until the end.

Make your home clean

The task of making sure the site is clean at the end of the day will fall on you unless you hire a project manager to supervise the subcontractors. Every trade will do what it can to keep his or her work area neat, but a certain amount of shared mess is inevitable. Have a quick clean up and tidy each day to ensure tradespeople who come in the following day to start new jobs aren’t delayed.

How worth it is to renovate a house?

Renovations are financially worthwhile if the return on investment when you sell your property exceeds the amount of money spent on the renovations. Renovations may be the best way to get on the property ladder for you if you are unable to buy a home.