Step-by-Step Guide to Start Renovating a House

What is a home renovation?

 A home renovation is a process of making changes and improvements to a property. A renovation can be anything from a small cosmetic update to a complete gut-renovation, where every element of the property is changed, improved, or replaced.

Home renovation is one of the most direct ways to ensure you are getting the home of your dreams.  But as anyone who has attempted a renovation will tell you, it can also be one of the most stressful and overwhelming experiences.

There is a large number of things that need to be kept track of, such as chasing up contractors, unanticipated costs, working to a budget, etc. Home renovation consists of a lot of risk, a lot of stress, but also a lot of rewards.

The key to a successful renovation project is planning. That’s not to say everything will go to plan, it’s to be expected that you’ll encounter some setbacks and issues. However, having a plan, or at least a rough guide of how best to tackle the project, is going to leave you less stressed and in a better understanding of where to begin, the steps you need to take, and the sort of work you need to recruit.

At Southern Cross Projects, we have written this blog because we want you to have a successful and mildly stress-free renovation project, should you choose to do so yourself. Below we’ve included a step-by-step guide on how to start a house renovation.

Things to know before starting a home renovation:

• You need to be prepared for things to go wrong. Murphy’s Law dictates that if something can go wrong, it will go wrong. This is especially true for home renovations.
• Have a contingency fund. Add an extra 10-20% on top of your renovation costs to account for unanticipated costs. This will help you avoid going into debt or being forced to end your renovation early.
• Don’t underestimate the amount of work required. A home renovation is a huge undertaking and will likely take longer (and cost more) than you initially anticipate. Make sure you give yourself enough time and budget to complete the project.
• Get quotes from multiple contractors. Not all contractors are created equal and you want to make sure you’re getting the best value for your money.
• Get everything in writing. This includes the scope of work, start and end dates, payment schedule, etc. This will help avoid any issues down the line with your contractor.

Choosing the right property

The first step is to choose the right property. You need to be realistic in your expectations and also find a location that you’re happy with. If you’ve found a neighbourhood you’d like to live in, purchasing a home in need of some renovation work can be a small sacrifice.

Before you commit to purchasing, it’s important that you have a clear understanding of what work needs to be done on the property before making an offer.

Budget

Ensure you’ve thoroughly worked out your budget and that the property you make an offer on is going to be renovated within said budget. One of the biggest stress factors considered when renovating a property is finances, so ensure you’re able to afford the renovation you’re planning, with some breathing room if possible. It’s advised to budget for a 10-20% contingency to allow for unexpected expenses.

Renovating older homes or character properties offers you the chance to create and live in your dream home, but it’s important to remember that with age, comes some structural issues to be aware of.

If you’re planning on doing a major renovation, it might be worth bringing in a structural engineer to conduct a survey (RICS) and assess the property before you make an offer. This report will highlight any issues that need to be considered and can also be used as part of your negotiation.

You should also consider things like:

• The surrounding area and outdoor space
• Public transport and parking
• The amenities in the area (schools, supermarkets, travel links)
• The size and layout of the property (get a measured survey)
• House prices and if they’re predicted to fall
• Crime rate in the local area
• Obtain a building report

Planning permission

When looking to renovate properties it’s worthwhile to consider planning permission prior to putting in an offer. Buying a property, to later be denied planning consent is one of the most expensive mistakes to make.

To prepare for this, search for properties that have outline planning permission, or full permission already in place. Outline permission means the local planning department is aware of proposed work to a property and has agreed to it in principle prior to more detailed plans being submitted.

If a property has full permission, this means detailed plans have been approved and work can commence as soon as you have the funding in place.

If you’re looking at properties without any planning permission or only outline permission, it’s important to factor in both the time and cost of applying for planning consent. The average planning application takes 8-12 weeks to be processed.

Design

The more creative and stress-free parts of the process include designing your home. This is where you start to get an understanding of how all the work you’ve been researching, and planning can come together to create your dream home.

The design process will take a while and should consider all aspects of your home, as well as any potential future plans for design features, extensions, etc.

There are a few things you need to consider when designing your home:

• How much space do you need?
• What style are you going for?
• Do you need extra storage space?
• How much light do you want in each room?
• Is there anything unique about the property that you want to keep or highlight?

You should also start thinking about the finishes you’d like in your home. This includes things like paint colours, flooring, tiles, worktops and any other materials you’ll need.

If you’re struggling to visualise how your finished home will look, there are a few things you can do to get inspiration:

• Look at design magazines
• Search for images online 
• Visit show homes
• Hire a professional designer

You should also start to think about the layout of each room and how you want the space to flow. This is where a floor plan will be very useful.

Schedule works

Once you’ve made some progress with your property’s design, it’s time to begin scheduling works and working out an order in which construction, build, and design can take place. 

You should also start to get quotes for each stage of work at this point. This will give you a better understanding of how much money you’ll need to complete your renovation.

When scheduling works, it can be helpful to create a Gantt chart. This is a visual way of planning when each stage of work will take place and how long it’s expected to last. You should also create a project schedule, which is a more detailed document that covers all aspects of the renovation process.

Hire the correct contractors 

One of the most important aspects of a successful renovation is hiring the right contractors. This includes finding builders, electricians, plumbers, and other tradespeople who are reputable and have experience working on similar projects.

You should get recommendations from friends and family where possible. You can also search for contractors online. It’s important to collect a few quotes before making your decision as prices can vary.

Renovation insurance

It’s also important to get renovation insurance in place before work starts on your property. This will protect you from any unforeseen circumstances, such as damage to your property or injuries sustained by workers.

You should speak to your insurance provider about what cover you need and make sure you’re fully insured before work begins.

Inform your neighbours

Once you’ve got all the necessary permissions in place and have scheduled works, it’s important to inform your neighbours about the upcoming renovation. This will help to avoid any conflict or misunderstanding during the project.

You should write a letter or email to your neighbours introducing yourself and explaining what work will be taking place and when. Outline any loud or obstructive work that will be taking place to avoid conflict.

Begin

Once you have all the steps above completed, it’s time to finally begin the project. How involved you are in your renovation is entirely up to you, but ensure you are always following necessary health and safety guidelines.

You may choose to be on-site every day to oversee work, or you may prefer to let the contractors get on with it while you’re at work.

It’s important to remember that renovations can be unpredictable, so try to remain flexible and open-minded throughout the process. Things may not always go to plan, but as long as you’re prepared for this, your renovation should be a success.

Congratulations, you’ve now started renovating your property.

Below we’ve included further information to keep in mind before, during, and after the renovation has taken place.

Things people regret during their home renovation 

• Not doing enough research
• Not being organised
• Hiring the wrong contractor
• Not getting enough quotes
• Not making a budget
• Changing their mind
• Not being prepared for delays 
• Not being insured
• Trying to do too much themselves

Realistic timelines

Conducting a home renovation can be a big undertaking, so it’s important to be realistic about how long it will take. Depending on the size and scope of the project, a renovation can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

It’s important to factor in time for planning, sourcing materials, construction, and finishing touches. If you’re working with a contractor, they should be able to give you a realistic timeline for the project.

Ultimately, the process is going to be stressful, complex, and expensive. That said, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy some parts of your renovation. Most people enjoy the design and finishing stages, picking out décor and the finishes for each room.

Alternatively, if you’d like to avoid the hassle of a full renovation and instead require full turnkey services, please get in touch today. A full list of our services can be found here.