Home Renovation Success: 6 Steps to Transform Your Property
It is no secret that starting a home renovation project is not easy. It is a complex process and one that requires a lot of planning along the way. Whether you are about to delve into your first - or fifth project, there are a few steps every renovator should know to help transform their properties successfully. This guide will tell you everything you need to know, covering topics such as budgeting and underpinning. Let's get started.
Set A Budget And Stick To It
This point cannot be stressed enough. Before you delve headfirst into your home renovation project, you must set a budget and stick to it. There are many costs involved, such as underpinning and contractors, which can soon add up. You may have £50,000 to spend, but how far will this get you? Take time to research the general costs of the renovation you would like to do. For example, if you knock a wall down and extend your kitchen, you will need to know if you have the funds to complete the project. There is nothing worse than starting your project and running out of money before it is finished. Trust us when we say - we have all been there! Use helpful resources like budgeting apps to help you keep track of your spending habits along the way. It is a great way to distinguish whether you are overspending and can help you stay on track.
Establish Your Vision
Having a general idea of what you want your project to be is great. However, if you have not defined the small details, you may struggle to decide when choosing materials and other essential features like lighting. Once you have established your budget, you must then create your vision. Ask yourself, what is it I want from this renovation project? For example, you may want to build a new kitchen, but what kind of design are you hoping to achieve? There are so many to choose from; leaving design decisions until the last minute can be stressful. Ideally, you want to create a vision board. Start reading home magazines and take cuttings of the features and details most appealing to you. You can also look at renovation projects online to find out what you like. It is a great way to spark your imagination and bring your vision to life.
Strengthen The Foundations With Underpinning
Your renovation project might be a lot more complex than you first thought. Many homeowners often underestimate the work needed to bring their vision to life. For example, if you want to extend your property, you may need to strengthen the foundations of the home before going ahead with your plans. This is a process called underpinning and something you would need to account for in your budget. Underpinning is a subsidence repair technique - where additional support is laid underneath the ground to strengthen the foundations of the property. It is a complex process and one that needs to be left to a professional. If you would like to expand your knowledge on underpinning a house, Geobear can help. They use a ground injection method that simplifies the underpinning process, so homeowners are not required to vacate their property while renovations are taking place.
Research Planning Permission
How ambitious are your home renovation plans? If you plan to complete a complex project like a loft conversion or an extension, you must research planning permission. This is consent given by your local authority to go ahead with your proposed renovations. It is put in place to stop people from building inappropriate developments. If you choose to go ahead with your plans without applying for planning permission, this could come back to haunt you further down the line. It is no secret that local authorities will make you demolish your development if there is a planning breach. So, to avoid wasting time and money, you must check whether planning permission is required before you go ahead. You can learn how to apply for planning permission by referring to some online resources.
Employ A Trustworthy Team
If you want your home renovation project to reach success, you must employ a team you can trust. For those that are new to renovation projects, this can be tricky. With so many contractors out there, how do you know you are choosing the best ones? It will require some research. Don't hesitate to ask for recommendations from friends, family, and people around the local area. Once you have a few contractors in mind, it pays to do your research. Use company review sites to read reviews from past customers. It can be a great way to differentiate the good from the bad. If you notice a contractor has a string of bad reviews, you can take your business elsewhere. Try getting as many quotes from contractors as possible (at least three) to ensure you get the best value service for your money. Those that charge the highest rates are not necessarily the best. Even for smaller services like skip hire Glasgow, it is worth getting a few quotes so you have the best service for the right price, such as that offered by TK Skip Hire.
Set Realistic Expectations In Place
This final step is one that every renovator needs to hear. You must set realistic expectations in place. Have you ever heard the saying "Rome wasn't built in a day"? Well, this is certainly something that applies to home renovation projects. Whether you are underpinning your house - or installing a new kitchen, these things will take time. So, you must be realistic with time frames. Like most aspects of your renovation project, this will require some research. If you are hiring a professional to help you with your project, ask them for an accurate timescale. They will not be able to guarantee anything. However, they should be able to give you a close enough estimate. Make sure you keep track of the timescale they give you; we recommend using a calendar to note down progress. If the project falls behind, you can ask your team why this has happened and work quickly to rectify any issues.
