Home renovations are an amazing way to transform your property into a more modern and accommodating home that meets all of your needs. Whether you are getting a new property or bringing it back to standard, extending it, or adding new and updated features, the work can be time-consuming, lengthy, and, in many cases, expensive.
*Collaborative post
This is why many people choose to undertake a lot of renovation work themselves, to help them cut costs while still meeting the standards they want. But before you start ripping everything out and starting again, here are a few things you need to consider, whether you are doing the work yourself, getting contractors in, or having a mix of both.
Safety
You need to consider the safety aspects of any work being carried out. It might be that the contractors you’re using use expert scaffolders to assist them in completing the job. In this case, you need to make sure you are not compromising the security of any safety equipment they need when you are on the property. If you are doing it yourself, you need to look into scaffolding services if you are working at height externally, getting PPE equipment so you can use tools and products safely, and understanding the hazards you might come across so you can stay safe, i.e., disrupting asbestos.
Disruption
You need to be fully aware of the disruption renovations can cause. Even the smallest tasks can be disruptive, and it’s even worse if you are living on the property while the work is being completed.
Talk to contractors, ask others who have carried out similar work, and understand what disruption you are facing so you have a better idea of what to expect.
Timelines
Not all timelines run except to plan, and even with the best project manager and organisation, things might not unfold as you expect them to. There are many reasons for these, from unexpected issues when completing the work, staff shortages, supply chain disruptions or illnesses and injuries, as well as funding limitations. You might face any hurdles during the work that will impact how fast things are completed. Before you start anything, make sure you have a realistic understanding or timelines as guidelines, not an exact completion date, and be prepared for things to take way longer than anticipated. And if they don’t, amazing!
Permits
Everyone has seen horror stories in the news, but people are moving forward with their work on their property without getting the correct permissions. Not all renovation work requires a permit or permission, but it’s best to know before you do anything, especially if you live in a conservation area or listed building. There will be limits on what you can do in terms of upgrades, modernisation, or aesthetics.
Two-story extensions, for example, need planning approval, as do attic and basement renovations or even adding garden structures over a specific size. Check with your local council or contractors to ascertain if you need permission, and obtain it before starting any work.
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