Home renovations can be an exciting and rewarding process, whether you’re updating a single room or giving your entire home a makeover. But before you start knocking down walls or tearing up the floor, there are several important factors to consider to ensure a successful renovation. In this blog, we’ll explore the top seven things you should think about before embarking on a home renovation project.
From setting a realistic budget to hiring the right professionals, these factors will help you plan, prepare, and execute a home renovation that meets your expectations and stays within your means. Whether you’re a first-time renovator or a seasoned pro, these considerations will help you avoid costly mistakes and achieve the desired results. So let’s dive in and discover the top factors to consider before you start any renovation project.
The 7 Things You Need to Consider Before Renovating Your Home
1. Set a realistic budget for your home renovations
The first step when planning home renovations is to establish a budget that fits your financial situation. It’s crucial to factor in all the costs involved, such as materials, labour, permits, and unexpected expenses. Working with a professional contractor or architect can help you estimate the total cost of your renovation and develop a detailed budget that meets your needs.
When creating your budget for home renovations, it’s important to set aside a contingency amount of 10-20% of the total cost. This will give you some wiggle room in case any unexpected expenses arise during the renovation process. If you don’t have enough cash on hand to fund the project, securing financing may be necessary. Taking these steps will ensure that your home renovation project stays on track and within budget.
2. Understand the scope of the project
The second factor to consider before renovating your home is the scope of the project. You should identify which areas of your home you want to renovate, the extent of the renovation, and the timeline for completing each task. This will give you a clear understanding of the work that needs to be done and help you establish a realistic budget and timeline.
It’s essential to be practical about the scope of your home renovation project and prioritise the most critical renovations first. For instance, if you’re renovating your kitchen, you may need to prioritise purchasing new appliances over getting new countertops if you’re working with a limited budget. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your home renovation project stays on track and meets your expectations.
3. Home Renovations: Essential permits and regulations
When planning for home renovations, it’s essential to consider the permits and regulations that may be required for your project. Depending on the scale of your renovation project, you may need to obtain permission from the local authority’s planning and building regulation department. While minor changes, such as new windows or painting, may not require permission, it’s always best to consult with the council before making any changes to the physical structure of your home.
It’s crucial to work with a professional contractor or architect who is familiar with local regulations if you want to navigate the permit process successfully. Failure to obtain the necessary permits can lead to fines, delays, or even having to tear down your project. By taking these steps, you can avoid potential legal issues and ensure that your home renovation is completed safely and legally.
4. Hiring the Right Professionals
Another crucial factor to consider before starting home renovations is hiring the right professionals for the job. Depending on the scope of your project, you may need to work with contractors, architects, engineers or interior designers to ensure its success.
When seeking out professionals for your renovation project, conducting thorough research and choosing individuals or companies with a proven track record of success in the field is essential. You can ask friends or family members for referrals, read online reviews, or verify professional credentials and licenses.
By carefully selecting the right team of professionals for your home renovation project, you’ll be able to complete it efficiently and effectively while minimising any potential issues that may arise during construction. A great place to find reputable renovators is through the Check A Trade website.
5. Make Sure You Have Renovation Insurance
It’s important to note that as soon as you sign all the contracts and documentation for your renovation project, you become responsible for everything on the site. To protect yourself from potential risks such as flooding, theft, or fire, it’s crucial to have adequate renovation insurance in place.
Your renovation insurance should include coverage for the following:
- Public and employer liability
- Personal accident cover
- Building materials and works
- Tools and temporary buildings
- Legal expenses
- Existing structures
Depending on the scope of your project, the cost of this insurance can range from £500-1,500. While this may seem like an additional expense, it’s a small price to pay compared to the potential costs of theft or injury without proper coverage.
In addition to protecting yourself from financial risks, having renovation insurance is often a requirement when using a mortgage to finance your project. Some lenders may only release funds with proof of warranty and renovation insurance. So be sure to include this necessary expense in your budget when planning your home renovation project.
6. Understand how home renovations can impact daily life
Another factor to consider before embarking on home renovations is the potential disruption to your daily life during the renovation process. Renovations can be noisy, messy and time-consuming, which can disrupt your regular routine.
To reduce these disruptions, it’s essential to plan ahead by creating a schedule for the renovation and communicating with family members or roommates about what to expect during the project. You may need to make alternative living arrangements or adjust your work schedule to accommodate the renovation.
By planning for these disruptions beforehand, you’ll be able to minimise their impact on your daily life and ensure that the home renovation process runs as smoothly as possible.
7. Consider Renovation Storage For Home Improvements
When it comes to remodelling or making home improvements, it’s crucial to have a secure location to store your furniture and other valuable items. Accidents can happen at any time, so it’s best to be prepared and avoid the risk of having to replace broken or damaged goods. This is where renovation storage can come in handy.
Whether you’re undertaking a major renovation project or a small home improvement job, it’s crucial to consider how and where you will store your belongings during the process. If you don’t have a spare room or large garage available, renting a self storage unit for a few months or years can be an ideal solution.
By utilising self storage, you can ensure that your furniture and other valuables are safe from damage or theft while work is being done on your home. It’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to protecting your possessions, so consider adding renovation storage to your plans for any upcoming home improvement projects.
Renovation Storage: Why You Should Choose Space Centre
When it comes to home renovations, having a reliable storage solution is crucial. At Space Centre, we understand the importance of convenience and accessibility during this process, which is why we offer short-term or long-term contracts without requiring a large deposit.
Our facilities are conveniently located near major roads, making them easily accessible, and many of our units feature drive-up access for added convenience.
If you are planning to do home renovations and are based near Bristol, Stroud, Gloucester or Stonehouse, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Discover just how easy and affordable renovation storage can be with Space Centre Self Storage.