5 Things To Consider Before Taking On A Home Renovation Project
Image Credit: Searle & Taylor.
Social media loves home renovation transformations; it’s easy to scroll through and believe that everyone is successfully tackling huge home reno projects with ease. With speeded-up content showcasing incredible before and afters, if you are looking to buy a property, these videos can quickly convince you that investing in a derelict property (at a reduced cost to a finished home) is always a better idea. However - as is always the way with social media - it’s not always that easy; most home renovation projects don’t go as smoothly in real life. In this post, I’m listing five things that you should consider before taking on a home reno:
Costs & unforeseen circumstances
While you will initially save on purchasing a derelict home that requires serious improvements, you should always expect that the final cost will be around 15% more than you initially anticipated in your budget. A good building survey will outline most things that are required to bring the property up to standards, but you never really know what you may uncover during the demolition stages. Previously undiscovered foundation problems, wood rot and complete electrical rewiring can add a significant amount to your renovation bill, while you also need to factor in less expensive - but still necessary - discoveries, such as calling out pest control if you have infestations of mice, ants or termites. Don’t forget to also factor in the prices of a professional rubbish removal service to handle your builder’s waste - you can find more information about that here.
A home extension clad in Cedral facades Click in black.
Time
Even if you decide not to manage the renovation project yourself by hiring an interior designer (as well as an architect), you will still need to be on call to make building and design decisions throughout the timeline of the project. If you have a busy job or family life, do you have the time to take on that level of decision-making and commitment? You also need to consider just how long the renovation will take - are you able to live elsewhere while the renovation takes place, or, will you need to live on-site while the majority of the building occurs? What impact will that have on you or your family? If you are able to live elsewhere, will you be able to find somewhere close to the project to rent for the duration that the property is being renovated? Can you afford to rent for longer if there are problems and the project takes longer than expected?
Planning applications and approval
Once you have found a renovation project that you want to take on, chances are that you will want to make structural changes to make the original building suit your needs and your lifestyle. It’s important to research the history of planning applications and approval timelines for the property that you have your eye on. Have any applications on the property been rejected before? What was the reason? What is the average timeline for the Local Authority to approve an application? This insight will give you more of an idea of how successful you are likely to be when you submit any planning applications, plus how long you can expect to wait before the work can take place.
Olive & Barr Shaker Kitchen.
Future Functionality
If you have decided to take on a home renovation project so that every part of the design and all the details are to your taste and work for how you live, this will likely be your forever home. If so, you need to factor in how you may need to use it in the future. If you have young children, think about where they will hang out as teenagers with their friends - they will want privacy and you probably won’t want to hear their music when you are trying to relax! Do you have elderly parents that may need to move in later on? Ask yourself, how much does a stairlift cost and would it be more sensible to install a traditional staircase (rather than a modern glass one) to accommodate it?
Access
When you are planning a large construction project, it is important to consider any access issues in and around the property. Can you get around to the back of the property easily? Are there enough parking spaces for all the work vans and lorry deliveries of building supplies? Will you need to block off the road on many occasions? It’s also worth considering if you will become the enemy of your neighbours before you even move in! While most people are happy to see homes on their street reach their full potential (rather than laying in disrepair) if you tend to avoid conflict, can you handle the stress of potential neighbourly altercations?
Can you trust your builder?
One of the biggest deciding factors for taking on a reno is if you have a good relationship with a trusted construction company that will carry out the work efficiently and to a high standard. If you have had a good experience with a particular building company before and there is a good level of trust, you may feel more confident in taking on a large home renovation project. If you do not have any good contacts, do your research and ask around for recommendations. Look at construction companies’ portfolios and social media profiles to see the level of work they carry out; make a note of any comments or reviews that you feel might indicate that the company may not be completely professional at all times. Things to look out for include reliability, customer satisfaction, communication skills and specialism (especially if you are renovating a period property that will require particular materials).
Repair Or Replace?
Often, it is the older properties that require renovating. Period homes come with their own charming fixtures and fittings that you will probably want to keep, however, respectful restoration often costs a lot more than smashing out what is there and installing something brand new. The replication of original plaster cornices, ceiling roses, period fireplaces and restoring parquet floors are all worthwhile tasks, but they will need to be carried out by professionals who charge according to their specialist trade. It is worth considering if you are committed to lovingly restoring an old home, or if you would be better suited to reconstructing a neglected newer build. When it comes to seamlessly integrating access points into your renovated space, consider the Acudor DW-5040 flush access door for a clean and modern look that complements your restoration efforts. Access panels are easily removable doors or panels that conceal standard building engineering works; they can provide access to areas including ceilings, floors, and walls.
