Top 8 Things to Consider Before Renovating Your Home
Renovating the home can be a challenging task. There are so many things to take into account and plan ahead for. Those looking to undergo their own home reservations will therefore need a solid plan and an understanding of the challenges it presents.
There are numerous steps that should be taken before undertaking the renovation. Here, we’ll look at the top 8 things to consider before renovating your home.
- Have a thorough plan
The most important step of any renovation project is to ensure a thorough plan is in place. This includes creating a schedule of when individual renovations will take occur.
Outline all of the tasks required to be undertaken such as carrying out a current condition assessment, checking for damp and any major building work which may need to be done. Plan which rooms you will start with and the date you expect to complete the renovations.
- Get a building report
A building report provides crucial information on the condition of the property. It looks at each individual element of the home and determines what work needs doing to improve it. Carried out by a chartered surveyor, the report won’t include the costs of the work and it may not reveal hidden problems.
- Don’t forget to take out insurance
Any renovation project can go wrong, which is why homeowners are urged to take out adequate insurance. If a problem does crop up, having the right insurance guarantees it won’t halt the renovation for too long and it won’t leave you out of pocket.
- Factor in the cost of electrics
Most renovations require some form of work to be carried out on the property’s electrics. This can be an expensive job and unless you’re a qualified electrician it’s best left to the professionals. Consider the costs of electrical work when determining a budget.
- Check if you’re eligible for a grant
Renovation costs run into thousands of pounds. This can be a lot for the average homeowner to afford. If costs are a concern, a government grant may be available to help towards them. If you want to save the most money, opt to add green features onto the home such as solar panels. There is funding available to help towards eco-friendly upgrades.
- Resolve any structural issues early on
Structural issues are the most problematic in a renovation. Therefore, it pays to identify and resolve them early on in the project. If you need to knock down load-bearing walls, or your windows or doors need widening, enlisting the help of a structural engineer is essential.
- Know which improvements will deliver the most value
Those renovating to increase the value of their property will want to focus on particular areas of the home. Not all renovations add value. The kitchen, flooring and extensions are some of the biggest value-boosting renovations you can make. Revamping the bathroom is also one of the most valuable home improvements you can make. These include replacing inefficient fixtures like old toilets with water-saving sanicompact units and switching to energy-efficient lights and appliances
- Prepare for unexpected costs
One of the biggest challenges of renovating a home is unexpected costs. It is easy to forget the costs of tasks such as reconnecting a water supply, valuation fees and cleaning out a septic tank.
There is a lot to think about when renovating the home. Without the right level of planning and preparation, a lot can go wrong. Following the steps above will help to get your renovation project off to the best of starts.