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With average moving costs around £7,000, homeowners are choosing to reinvest and renovate their home instead spending the extra time, money, and stress on finding a new place to live. With that in mind, if you’re feeling inspired to start a home renovation, there are a few things to consider – before you start knocking down walls!
Spend time in the space
Whether you’ve only just bought the property, or you’ve lived there for years, it’s important you really consider the space. Think about how you currently use the space, and what you want to use the space for not only now, but how you anticipate living in the next few years.
Future-proofing your house should be your first port of call. If you have young children, think about the space they’ll need when they’re teenagers, will you want separate living spaces for them and you, that you can use as a playroom now, and teenage den later?
Kitchen-living-dining spaces are popular now, but open-plan living has it’s drawbacks. With the home office now one of the top facilities that prospective buyers look for, it might be wise to keep rooms sperate, and instead extend out into the garden if possible.
Be realistic about your timeline
Your renovation will take longer than expected, so be prepared and make accommodations to avoid frustration. Delays can range from supply chain issues to contractor delays. It’s important to be realistic about the renovation process and timeline and select your new updates before having the existing materials removed.
And remember, the more delays, the higher the costs involved, so having a buffer will help relieve some of the stress.
Have the right equipment before you start
As tempting as it can be to don your painting overalls and scruffy pair of trainers, it’s important to have the right equipment before you start to avoid injury. No matter what you’re doing in the house, goggles and a sturdy pair of shoes are a must, and if you’re tearing down walls or ripping cupboards off the wall, you really should wear a hard hat.
And for jobs involving gas, water, and electricity, consulting with an expert is a must.
Let your neighbours know
If you’re planning a renovation that could cause disruption to your neighbours, it’s important you let them know before you start. Just posting a note through their door will help smooth relations for those times when the road might be blocked because of deliveries.
And again, if you know there will be large vehicles that need access to your road, let them know a rough time and day so they too can be prepared. You should avoid doing any loud jobs early in the morning and late at night, unless you’ve spoken to your neighbours beforehand – and they’re ok with it.
Don’t forget to take photos of before, during – and finally after, to remind yourself why you’re doing it in the first place!