So you’re thinking of renovating your home? Improving an existing property is a wonderful way to create a home full of character that’s perfectly suited to your needs. Especially if you live in an older property, it allows you to make the most of any original features and if done right can provide a significant return on investment.
Keeping track of everything can be a challenge.
It will come as no surprise that every building project presents its own challenges and unexpected events however! There’s a lot to remember when planning a renovation. From drains to doorways there are countless details to bear in mind, conversations to keep track of and budgets to plan.
Look.
Whether you’ve just bought a property needing some love or are planning that major makeover of your dreams – our ultimate checklist will make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.
Ensure your home renovation project runs as smoothly as possible by ticking off the following tasks on our home renovation checklist. Whilst each aspect won’t apply to every home extension – it pays to be prepared.
So pens at the ready? Let’s get started…
Exterior Work.
It may seem counterintuitive, but it’s often easiest to work from the outside-in on home renovations. This will make sure you’ve factored in some of the biggest jobs when planning your budget and timeframes.
With this in mind, check-off the following considerations:
Your property.
- Roof – are any repairs, new fascia boards or replacement roof tiles necessary?
- Walls – is any repainting, new render or repointing needed?
- Cracks – could this point towards structural issues?
- Windows – do any rotten frames or single glazing need replacing?
- Doors – do the frames or doors themselves need attention?
- Chimneys – do any chimneys need emergency repairs?
- Damp – are there any issues with damp that need treating?
Your plot.
- Garden – does your front or back garden need an accompanying makeover?
- Hard landscaping – is any major work required, in addition to new planting?
- Gates and fencing – do they need updating to match your new home?
- Driveway – could your driveway benefit from retarmacking or new gravel?
- Drains – could a drain survey be useful to identify any problems?
- Access – are any modifications (or neighbour permission) needed for access?
Interior Work.
Having considered exterior projects, the next step is to think about the interior of your home! Home renovation and extension work is often separated into “first fix” and “second fix” stages, so it’s worth looking at the tasks involved at each phase, as well as preparation and snagging.
Think about each aspect, and whether you need to allocate time and budget to the jobs involved.
Preparation.
As part of preparing your property for renovations, consider the following tasks:
- Knocking down (or putting up) walls as required
- Removing carpets or existing flooring
- Removing built-in kitchens and appliances
- Removing fireplaces and surrounds
- Removing bathroom suites, tiles and flooring
- Removing existing radiators or boilers
- Hiring a skip and disposing of all rubbish
First Fix.
This is everything that goes behind the walls and beneath floors – so these jobs usually take place before plastering is completed. As part of this, tasks may include:
- Installation of initial electrical connections
- Replacing any old pipes or plumbing
- Constructing stairs and stairwells
- Fixing inbuilt technology such as speakers or security systems
- Installing wall and roof insulation
- Installing under floor heating
- Repairing or treating any timber beams
- Adding new window or door frames
Second Fix.
Once “first fix” jobs are completed, the project will be ready for the “second fix”. This may include:
- Connecting electrical fixtures (including phone and TV points)
- Installing light switches and electrical sockets
- Installing kitchen appliances and cabinetry
- Installing sinks, baths and connecting taps
- Building any bespoke carpentry, shelving or storage
- Fitting doors to door frames, as well as spindles and handrails on stairs
- Installing traditional heating and radiators (including boilers)
- Boxing in and plastering any exposed pipes – ready for decorators
- Mounting new fireplaces or surrounds
- Laying tiling on floors or walls
- Laying carpets and flooring
- Repairing any moldings or cornices
Decoration.
This is the penultimate stage of your home renovation project, where you can really see your dreams coming to life. As part of this, consider jobs such as:
- Planning colour schemes and artworks
- Painting all walls and ceilings
- Putting up wallpaper or other decorative details
- Installing light fittings and lamp shades
- Purchasing rugs and larger furniture
- Dressing windows with blinds, curtains or shutters
- Installing any moveable storage units
- Door, kitchen and cupboard handles
- Final cleaning and tidying
Snagging.
Once you’ve moved into your completed extension or renovation, it’s a good idea to take time making sure everything is up to scratch. As part of the contract with your builder, you’ll want to include a timeframe for fixing snagging issues. These could include:
- Cracks on newly plastered walls
- Issues with heating or plumbing
- Decorative scrapes or scuffs
- Chipped flooring or tiles
- Issues with any built-in carpentry
- Problems with damp or leaks
Additional considerations.
As a final consideration, remember there’s more to a renovation than just the construction project itself! Before you get too far down the line, make sure you’ve completed the following tasks:
- Create a well-thought through and well-researched budget
- Allocate a contingency fund for any unexpected issues
- Source structural surveys and drain reports
- Work with an architect to develop your plans
- Secure planning permission from your local council (if required)
- Ensure your plans meet all legal and building regulations
- Hire expert tradesmen and construction professionals
Finally…
We hope that you find this home renovation checklist helpful. If you’re renovating a home for the first time, it’s particularly important to hire experienced professionals for jobs that need an expert touch! Great builders, interior designers and architects will all help you through the process – from sourcing quotations to achieving planning and seeing the project through to completion.
With this in mind, regularly talk with your team about your plans. They’ll have valuable insights to make sure nothing has been left-off your planning and budgeting checklist. If you’re thinking of expanding your property, why not get in touch today to find out how we can help turn your vision into reality!?
