Introduction
There are endless advantages to pursuing a home renovation project. It is certainly more advantageous than buying a whole new property, or even building a home yourself.
You may uncover marvelous original features of your home, or in the process of renovating your home, you can increase the property value, as long as the work is done to a good standard.
There are some downsides, one being that the opportunity to do this does not come as the crow flies, but if you are presented with the opportunity and have the financial means to do so, go for it!
Let’s talk about how you can start the home renovation process today!
Popular House Renovation Projects
If you know that you want to renovate a home, but you do not know where to begin, it can be wise to look at the most popular projects. Some of these projects can be easier, which is usually part of the reason they are popular.
Another reason a renovation project may be popular is due to the project adding significant value to a home or being more budget-friendly in the long term.
A lot of people may wish to get an extension added, for example, due to how these are usually more financially viable than a renovation project that may mean needing to gut out half of the home, and they add value!
You may already have an idea of what aspects of your home you wish to renovate, but if you do not, consider the popular trends, especially if you are primarily looking for valuation improvement.
This means it is also wise to consider the least popular renovation projects, and why they are not as ideal. They may not add value to a property, be excessively difficult, or extremely expensive.
Let’s take a quick look at three examples.
Remodel The Current Layout
The first example of a popular home renovation project is to remodel the current layout of the home. Some homes, especially ones built ages ago, may have a layout that is not necessarily convenient for modern living.
Some families will remodel home layouts to gain an extra room, or to make space for a new member of the family.
You could convert a large kitchen into a kitchen diner. Or perhaps knock down a separating wall to open up the space in your home more. Another prospect would be to make more use of loft space.
Loft Conversion
Speaking of making use of loft space, this is where a loft conversion comes in. For homes with excess amounts of loft space, only some of it will get used for storage. This means that you can easily convert the unused space into another room.
You could convert the loft into a bedroom, a study, or even a home gym. There are so many ways you can use this. It could even be used as a bathroom, however, this would require additional plumbing.
Not all loft spaces will have easy access, however, so this is key to consider in loft conversions.
Extensions
The most popular renovation project has to be extensions. Extensions add more space to the house without changing any aspect of the current space already inside. These projects are one of the easiest to carry out, simply because they do not have to change anything on the inside of the current home.
There are also countless ways that you can build a home extension. Some extensions are just like the rest of the house, while a popular choice of extension is a sunroom.
Whether you just need an extra room or would like a conservatory in which to relax and enjoy the outdoors from a safe indoor space, both are great!
How To Renovate A House
While no renovation projects will be just alike, there are usually certain rules, regulations, and requirements which nearly every renovation project will have in common.
Typically, the general running order of a renovation project will be the same.
Once you have decided on how you wish to improve your home through a home renovation, you can use checklists to help you. Making a checklist, however, is a part of the process of home renovation.
Yet, if you wish to consider the absolute best process to renovate a house, then you can always hire a project manager. These people are experts and can oversee the whole home renovation process, eliminating any need for you to take on the entire project yourself.
You can conduct a process like this yourself, however, it is a lot of work, so it is always a good idea to at least consult a professional to help you get started.
Therefore, before you get started on your project, let us walk you through the process of home renovation and share with you the ultimate list of boxes to start ticking off your ‘to-do’ list.
Make A Comprehensive Budgeting Plan
Budgets are a critical part of any planning process. While many people tend to see budgets are restrictive, they are in fact, the opposite. Budgets do not tell us what we can and cannot have, instead, they tell us what we can spend while maintaining financial stability.
A budget will let you know what is a realistic goal for you in your current financial state. When it comes to home renovations, put together a budget, and plan out how much will be spent in what area.
With highly expensive goals such as renovations, it is also always a good idea to add a 10% contingency to the final budget, to allow for any room for unexpected expenses that may arise.
You should speak to contractors and get quotes so you have a general idea of what costs would be for your project and align these quotes with your budget. However, this is only really needed if you are dealing with a project which you are not familiar with.
You can then look at material options, as some materials are more affordable than others, and can plan your renovation around a budget plan that works for you and your finances.
Planning Permission And Paperwork
Once you have your budget in place, and a vague idea of how your project will look, you need to consider planning permission and the paperwork aspect of the process.
Many renovations will require permissions of some sort, however, it does depend on where you live, as some locations will have different requirements regarding planning permission.
Speak to your local governing body if you are unsure, county rulers will also generally have this information on their websites as well.
Whatever the required permissions are for renovating your home, you will need to apply. A majority of projects for home renovation are within permitted development, however, some may require planning permission depending on the size of the project.
Similarly, there may be planning permission required depending on the style of the renovation, and the location of your home. Work being done in areas that are protected will generally require permission.
There will be other permissions required as well, as you may also need approval for building regulations, depending on the type of work you will be undertaking as well. However, if you are hiring builders to do the work for you, this may not be required.
Make sure to speak with your local county government to ensure that you are approved, and meet all requirements for your project.
Make A Renovation Project Checklist
Remember, not every project you undertake will be ideal for you. Some projects may simply be too much work, while some may not work with your budget. Note that when you are considering the potential of your home for renovation you understand the potential it has.
This factor alone is exactly why you should make a checklist. Checklists can help to remind you of the value that comes with home renovation, and why you should consider certain factors.
Ask questions such as:
- Is there enough space available to extend the property? Or, is it viable to convert your garage, loft, or basement space?
- Have your neighboring homes had success in getting planning permission for projects like yours?
- How much of the work you plan to do will be decorative, and how much will be structural?
- Will the renovations add value to the home?
- Are there any restrictions that you know of which could prevent the project? Do you have a backup plan?
These questions are all questions you should ask yourself before you get started to help ensure that the project goes smoothly upon starting.
Write A Schedule Of Works
You need to define the process for your home renovation project before the work begins. You want to be clear on the steps you have to take to renovate the home before you begin.
Always prioritize any work that will stop decay/damage and help to stabilize the structure. Also, be aware that while something may work well in one room, it may have an impact on the other rooms, especially where electrics and plumbing may be involved.
Ensure you consider the whole house in your schedule, and get the property checked to ensure that any work done with plumbing or electrics will be safe and reasonable.
Remember that rewiring is done before plastering too, so create the schedule with the full process in mind.
Note that while some jobs may seem like they will not impact other areas, they still can. A loft conversion may seem like it is only isolated to that space, and like it would not affect the ground floor, but there will be needs, hazards, and protective measures that can impact the WHOLE property.
When you write your schedule of work, include everything from safety concerns to the actual process.
Take Out Renovation Insurance
Renovation insurance is always a wise idea to have. You will be responsible for the site, so you need to have the right protective insurance. This type of insurance will cover the property while work is being done. It can also be known as ‘building work insurance’ in some cases.
Perhaps you’re taking out a mortgage or home equity loan to fund this project, and if this is the case then lenders cannot release any money without your warranty, as well as there being proof of insurance.
That being said, this is often based on standard home insurance policies, if you are conducting major or extensive work then you need to inform the insurer, otherwise, the standard policy could be rendered invalid.
When you are renovating a home, your insurance should also include employers and public liability coverage. This should cover materials, plants, tools, the existing structure, temporary buildings, legal expenses, and accident cover.
Depending on the project it can cost up to four-figure sums or higher.
It is simply best, to be honest about the project and ensure that you are covered in every way you may need, insurance can be expected, but building sites are unpredictable.
Build A Renovation Team
You may wish to hire a contractor, or a company to help you get your home renovated, many of these will give you a quote, which is productive in terms of budget management. However, you may wish to manage the project yourself and simply hire builders.
Whatever the case, finding a good team of builders is a key part of the process when you are renovating. It is best that you get quotes from 3 different contractors/companies for the renovation, this will give you a full spectrum idea of what to expect.
Do not forget to get recommendations early on as well. However, it is better to engage with a prospective contractor/builder once your plans are confirmed and permissions have been signed off.
Builders can give you a quote based on calculations and structural engineer designs. Cheaper builders may be more budget-friendly, however, they are not always the best, so it is best to seek out references and reviews from reputable sources.
Depending on whether you wish to manage the project yourself, or if you simply wish to hand it over to a team is up to you. The main factor is that whoever you hire needs to be reliable.
Remember To Ask For References
When hiring a contractor or builder, it is best to seek references, so you can validate whether their work is thorough, legitimate, and high quality. Do not forget to also be aware of scams, as scamming is still a factor in this trade.
Speak to friends or family who may have had work done and ask who they would recommend. Check for reviews and feedback online at builder websites and Trustpilot.com, Facebook reviews, and more.
It is also good practice to ask to see what insurance documentation they have, as well as trade membership paperwork as well.
Brief Your Neighbors
Living right next door to a building site can be very stressful and it can cause changes to your daily life. Remember that while you are invested in the work that is being done, your neighbors are not. Be considerate and open when you tackle the home renovation process.
Make sure you discuss the renovation openly with them, and if there are any concerns, ensure you can all work to reach an agreement. It will help to remove any tensions and inconveniences.
Ensure that any builders that you hire are also aware of any shared entries, roads, or sidewalks, as well as any other communal areas, this is to ensure that they do not leave any shared locations obstructed or messy.
If you will be having any large delivery vehicles, you should also inform neighbors about these as well, and of course, inform them if there is any excessive noise.
Some people may also be very anxious about strangers being working near and around their home, so offer to introduce them to the team, as this could help to give them peace of mind and settle any anxieties between you and your neighbors as well.
Check The Quality
Even if you are not deeply involved in the building process, you should still make sure to complete regular inspections at some specific stages to make sure that everything that is going on is sticking true to the specifications and designs.
If there are any substitutions or omissions then this can have an overall detrimental effect on the build’s overall quality. This is also true for any misalignment of any structural elements, or any masonry.
You should also make sure that your project manager or architect is on-site for this as well, as the untrained eye, bad tiling, or structural errors can be harder to spot.
Once you have reached the end of a build, you should do a final walkthrough, note any minor defects, and make sure that the place is finished to high quality.
You should also ensure you have a certificate from Building Control. It is also practiced in the building industry to hold back 2.5-5% of an agreed price on a contract to cover any snagging (final walkthrough) work.
If this is the case, do ensure that at the start of the project, it is written into your contract.
Organize Waste Removal
While not every renovation project means that you will be removing sections of the house, if your project does include this, you will have to think about demolition work.
You could get a large dumpster for waste, this is normal practice. However, if you have quite a lot, there are private companies and individuals who will happily help you get rid of most waste free at local landfills.
That being said, if you are dealing with asbestos, this needs to be dealt with separately.
Home renovations will usually involve some elements that can be reused or salvaged. Some of these items can be taken away and stored in a safe space until sales can be made.
However, you can sell some salvage items from larger demolition projects. Yet, some of the work to remove these will need to be done by a reclamation yard. This will usually save a lot of time, effort, and it can raise you some money as well.
In some cases, people may wish to recycle some elements of this, recycling can often be done at landfills. However, some counties and states have their own rules around recycling, check your local authority’s website or call them for more information on their rules around this.
Salvage
Check to see if there is a salvage yard/ scrap yard near you. While these are typically best known for cars, home renovation materials can also function here.
Salvage yards are usually outdoor storage spaces that are used to keep, process, buy, or even sell junk. If you have a lot of metal waste from your renovation project, this can go to a salvage yard, and it may even make you some extra cash!
Sell
As is the case with metal, some other items that may come from home renovation may also be sale worthy. This is especially true if you are doing a large-scale renovation.
You may have some small, personal items to sell, but even more so, items such as windows, doors, glass, good quality wood, and other building materials are also sellable.
Consider any materials or items in good condition, and you could sell some of these to turn a profit and help with your finances in your budget.
Recycle
Much of what comes from your home renovation as waste will probably not be going to a salvage yard, and most won’t be sold either. A majority of waste will need to be trashed or recycled.
A lot of materials are recyclable, including metal, plastic, glass, drywall, wood, cork, brick, and even concrete masonry!
Bin
Sadly, however, most of the waste from your project will end up in the trash, and landfills. Getting a dumpster will help you with a bulk amount of the waste, especially if there is some demolition involved in your project.
Getting a large dumpster can be expensive, with rentals lasting a month often going as high as $1,000. However, if you do not need it for this long, a dumpster can cost you a couple of hundred dollars.
Garage Conversion
Another idea that many people do not consider when it comes to home renovation is the significance of a garage conversion and how much it can help.
Garage conversions are a great, cost-effective way to add some additional living space to your home. If your current garage is already in good condition, then this will work out even better for you.
While garages are meant for cars, many people tend to end up using them as extra storage space or just as a place to dump the items that they do not want.
Your garage can function as a new habitable space. If you have a large garage you needn’t even convert the whole space. You could add in a wall and then convert part of it.
Many garages also function well as a workshop, especially for the crafty good-with-their-hands individuals, who may enjoy tinkering with their car.
Unused garage spaces could also be converted into office spaces, kitchens, or even a bedroom if your imagination, budget, and planning would allow for it.
Garages can be easily converted or converted more extremely. They are usually rather spacious as well, making for easy access and conversions.
What Is The Cost Of Renovating A House?
How much it costs to renovate a house is dependent on what kind of work you are doing on the house. The cost of home renovation will depend on a variety of factors.
These factors can include whether or not you are adding in an extension, how much the renovation is, and the rooms being renovated (kitchens and bathrooms always cost more than living spaces).
Costs will also vary depending on your location, as the fees typically associated with the renovation can rise and fall depending on state laws, regulations, and so on.
If you have a builder or architect who you are working with on your home renovations, you must speak with them about the associated costs of the renovations. They will be able to give you a much more detailed cost analysis.
Costs will include, materials, manpower, time, resources, any outsourced equipment, tools and materials, and more. Builders will have a much better understanding of how much all of this will cost.
This is why it is so important to get quotes straight away as these quotes can give you a good idea of cost and budget before you get started.
Where Will You Stay When Work Is Being Carried Out?
Living in the home as it is being renovated may be advantageous. You can keep an eye on things, oversee jobs, and know who is on-site and when they are there.
However, being there also means you will likely end up getting in the way, which can cause delays. The workers will also need to know when you will be there, and you will need to work around the jobs they are doing.
This simply means that you need to make sure that you and any of your possessions are out of certain rooms when it is needed.
If you do choose to stay in your home during renovations you will only be able to use a part of the house and may need to move around the house as parts of it are being worked on. Getting a storage unit for a short time, as this is being done will also be beneficial.
Alternatively, you can move out for a while. If you have family or friends who live nearby, you may be able to stay with them, depending on how long you need to move out.
If not, you may need to rent or stay at a motel, hotel, or Airbnb, though, this will come with a cost, which will need to be factored into your overall budget.
What Renovations Can Increase The Value Of A House?
One of the primary reasons we tend to decide to renovate our properties is because they tend to add value. Value is important, it affects how much profit you make should you choose to eventually sell your property.
Even if you were not planning on moving for quite some time, and instead just want to update or improve your home, it can still be very useful to know which renovations are likely to increase your home valuation.
Here are some of the renovations which are most likely to increase your property value.
- Redecoration.
- Repairs to damaged or old fittings.
- Landscaping.
- Garden clearing.
- Increases in the home’s energy efficiency.
- Install a revamped or new bathroom or kitchen.
- Increasing open plan space by demolishing walls.
- Garage conversions.
- Loft conversions.
- Extensions.
These will not all add the same amount of value, but each can increase property value overall.
New, modern, or updated spaces in the home increase value and are well known for this. However, even garden renovations can add value, such as adding decking, or a pool to the yard space.
Summary
Renovating your home can be a great way to add additional value to your home. However, make sure you are prepared for the process, from budgeting to getting permissions, making a schedule of work, taking out insurance, and more.
If you are planning on undertaking a large-scale project then you may be faced with a lot more preparation than a smaller-scale project, especially if you need to demolish certain areas of the house.
Be considerate to those involved and those living around you as your project is underway. It can be a fantastic new step ahead in your life, but being prepared is essential.
Know the team of builders who will be working on your house, and ensure that they are properly certified, and will produce high-quality results by vetting them through reviews. Quality in home renovation is very important, especially for increasing property value.