The home renovation guide you need to read!
Are you considering a home renovation/home remodelling project, or perhaps you’re just looking for decluttering tips? Don’t begin your project without reading my ultimate guide! I have covered everything from how to begin your home remodelling/ home renovation project, to decorating and decluttering tips.
My partner and I are renovating our home which was built in or around the 1920s. I have been researching everything that we need to know in order to avoid problems and be aware of the process. Here is a guide that I have put together to save you time on researching and in hopes of helping a fellow renovator ( and to avoid a divorce).
Home renovation or remodelling?
You may be thinking, what’s the difference?
Renovating your property is more about restoring original features or perhaps to refresh your house and an opportunity to add your own stamp.
Remodelling refers to an extension or altering the layout of your home. This may give you the perfect opportunity to get the size you have always dreamt off in an area that you love living in.
The success of either renovating your house or remodelling your house stress-free is to expect the unexpected and be prepared.
What needs to be done?
I highly recommend that you write everything down, every idea, everything that you want to change, and a time frame you want it done in. Make a list and check it twice!
This list is essential to anybody who is renovating or remodelling their old or new house. The list should contain some of the following:
- Budget! Plan your budget and keep in mind them unexpected costs.
- Current condition assessment
- Planning Permission if needed
- Architect if needed
- Structural stability
- Demolition work
- Damp
- Drainage
- Building work
- Exterior
- External work
- Decorating ( my personal favourite bit)
- Final Clean
- Move-in date
- Snag list
You may need to add or take away from this list depending on the work that you are having done.
Do you need an architect?
This question all depends on your ideas, your budget, and the size of the project. Some people would hire one just to help design a bathroom, and some people can successfully undertake major works without one.
Advantages
- You will achieve a professional standard finish to your home
- They can get you the most out of your space
- They look at the small details that we perhaps wouldn’t think of e.g. gutters, drainage, colours, window placement, etc.
- Advise you on building control, structural engineers, builders
- Project manage and will help you stay in budget
- Find great solutions for problems
- Can give you new ideas that you may love
Disadvantages
- Fees to manage your project can be up to 20% off the whole project. However, can help you save money within the project.
- Depending on who you hire, they can push you to do things you don’t want to do.
A professional architect can help you through the planning permission process, advise you on what will be accepted by the planning authorities, and can give you a good idea of the cost of works.
Don’t need planning permission and you have a good idea of what you need doing? Then hiring a builder you can trust can save you a lot of £.
Renovation Insurance
Once you become the owner of a house you must have insurance.
I recommend that you get renovation insurance whether you’re going to be living in the property while the project is underway or not.
Another thing to take into consideration is your loan. If you’re planning to take a loan out for the project the lender may reject to release your funds without proof of adequate insurance. Should you bump into any problems along the way, the insurance will put your mind at ease and make sure your project still goes ahead.
Home renovation or remodelling insurance should include:
- Public and employers liability
- Cover of building, materials, plants, tools, work, etc.
- Personal accident
- legal expenses
Get your home insurance quote here
Planning permission for home renovation
It would be wise to check if you need to apply for planning permission, and don’t forget to add this to your costs.
You will need to consider planning permission and building regulations before you start your project as all new work must comply with building regulations. To avoid delays check if you need to apply for planning permission here. Also, make sure that your property isn’t listed as planning authorities will most likely reject your application. Click here for an interesting read and information on how to check if your house is listed.
One thing that we have had to consider on our project was trees, we had around 10 trees that hadn’t been maintained for over 10 years. In order to maximise garden space and for safety we decided to hire a tree surgeon, however, we needed to make sure that the trees weren’t listed as TPO first. Click here to check if your trees have a TPO.
Please be aware of who you hire and make sure you do your research and read reviews on the company that you are hiring.
Decorating and Decluttering Tips!
Some people have an eye for design, some consult social media pages and some hire interior designers.
As exciting as this part of the process is it can also be the most stressful. I have purchased A3 cards and been printing cutting and sticking styles that I love to narrow it down. Upon doing this I noticed that I have been leaning more towards the traditional style to help bring out the features of my 1920’s home. Check this link to my home renovation post which features a few of my favourite pages.
Here are a few decorating tips that I have found helpful:
- Set the tone
- Don’t be afraid to experiment
- Add some panels or molding to walls and ceilings
- If you see the staircase as you enter to make sure it stands out
- Choose the right bulbs
- Match your light switches to your decor
- Restore Antiques
- Classics never go out of style
- Get inspired
- Dark floor light walls
- Light floor Dark walls
- Try patches of different tones of paint on your wall to help narrow it down
- Kitchens and Bathrooms should be immaculate
- Good floor plan
- Upholstery
- Natural lighting
- Warm-up a room with mirrors
If you’re not aware of the Instagram profiles of Mrs. Hinch and Thehomedit check them out! (Not a paid ad I genuinely love their pages) If you have ever been on their profiles you know that sudden itch to clean and declutter that you get after viewing their posts!
A few of my favourite decluttering tips are:
- Declutter your kitchen, hide what you can and leave your counters clean and empty
- Organise your spices
- Organise your cleaning products into baskets
- Place your groceries into categories in baskets and label each one
- Throw out expired products
- If you don’t use it, throw it away
- Hide cords and cables
- Clear the tables
- Pair pillows by colour
- Fluff pillows
I hope that this post has been helpful.
Comment in the box below any other ideas or tips that you have found helpful while renovating your home.
If you would like to follow our renovating journey click here.