A home renovation is one of the most satisfying things you can do, but it can also be one of the most stressful. Our guide to where to start renovating a house will get you off on the right foot.
No two home renovations are the same, so exactly where to start renovating a house varies. Depending on your project, you may follow these steps in a slightly different order.
Where to start renovating a house starts with what to renovate. If you already own your home, go to step 2. If you’re looking to buy a fixer-upper, read on.
First off, location, location, location. You can’t renovate the area so research it well before you buy. Are there any troublesome neighbours? What are the schools, shops and services like? Make a list of your must-haves and nice-to-haves so you know where you can compromise.
Use a property viewing to ask lots of questions. Does it have any issues? Has it been renovated before? Is there potential to extend? Keep your eyes peeled for old wiring and plumbing, damp or asbestos as these can add thousands to your renovation budget.
Once you’ve found somewhere with potential, get a structural survey done. Wallpaper can hide a multitude of sins and it’s easy to miss things if you don’t know what you’re looking for. A survey can save you thousands further down the line and help you negotiate.
Start by prioritising anything structural, disruptive or essential for health and safety. After that, if you don’t know what you want, an architect or designer can help you plan. They might seem expensive but they are experts at making the most of space, lighting and your budget. In any case, you’ll almost always need expert advice for large-scale jobs and it’s easier for builders to work from professional plans.
When is almost as important as where to start renovating a house. If you just bought, renovating now means you get to move into a custom-designed home. However, there are advantages to living there for a while first and finding out what works and what doesn’t.
Start by researching home renovation costs, materials and suppliers, which all vary depending on the specifications, quality and where you live. You can buy materials yourself or go through a general contractor, which costs more but saves time, hassle and money in the long run. Remember to budget 10-20% extra for unforeseen issues and delays.
Choosing a home improvement company is the most important part of where to start renovating a house. Check out review sites, get recommendations and shop around for quotes. Remember, cheapest isn’t always best. Some builders will undercut everyone else by cutting corners, or run up costs throughout the job so you end up paying the same. Ask for itemised quotes and an explanation of how they were prepared. You’ll need to keep the funds flowing during work so ask about payment schedules too.
Get estimates of start and end dates and beware of anyone that promises unrealistic turnarounds as they’re unlikely to be able to deliver.
Also ask about experience and to see photos of previous work. A genuine professional will be happy to oblige.
Good communication is essential, so ask about the type and frequency of updates you’ll get, as well as whether they’ll assign a home renovation project manager as your go-to.
You need planning permission to make major changes or build something new, especially if it affects neighbours or the environment. This generally includes work on the front of your house and larger extensions. However, as long as you don’t live in a listed building or conservation area, you can do most internal work and smaller rear and side extensions under Permitted Development Rights.
You can research and apply for planning permission yourself or ask your contractor to handle it.
If you’re working on shared walls or boundaries you may need a Party Wall Agreement with neighbours. Plus, certain home renovations require Building Regulations approval to ensure they are safe and legal.
For more tips on where to start renovating a house, check out our Complete Guide to Home Renovations.