Many of us are spending more time than ever before at home. After the events of the last few years, a lot of employers in the country have developed a hybrid way of working. This means that homeowners are likely to have more time to spot things they’d like to change around the house.
If you’re one of those homeowners who has been itching to revamp the garage or transform the attic, it’s worth taking the time to work out a plan before you dive into major renovation work.
Defining your renovation goals
Ready to make some changes? You’re not alone. According to a survey by Money.co.uk, 88% of those who own a property in the UK did some type of renovation work in 2022.
But ahead of any work you carry out, it’s important that you work out your end goals. What are you hoping to achieve? Do you want to extend your property? Or maybe you want to do something on a smaller scale like updating the living room with some minor improvements.
What are you hoping to achieve by making these changes? Knowing whether you’re trying to enhance the resale value or you’re simply making your home more enjoyable to live in might define how you approach the upgrades you make. This is because if you’re redecorating for yourself and your family, you don’t have the added pressure of trying to impress would-be buyers.
Budgeting wisely
How much you can afford to spend on renovations will dictate how many changes you can make around the home. Work out how much you can set aside for the project you have in mind and shop around to get the best estimates for the job. For instance, you might be quoted one price for an extension to your property and then you might find a different reputable builder can offer you a better deal.
Also, factor in any unforeseen issues. It may be that when work begins, it’s revealed that there’s an issue with the electrics, for example.
You might want to consider taking out insurance to protect you if things don’t go to plan, too. Non-negligence insurance, for instance, might be useful if your neighbour’s property is damaged while work’s being done, and you or your contractor haven’t done anything wrong.
Call in the experts
We’ve already mentioned contractors, but it’s worth thinking about calling in the professionals, especially for big jobs. It might be that you feel comfortable doing some basic DIY and other home renovations, but for major tasks like turning the attic into a spare bedroom, it’s more likely to be a safe and sound project if you hand it over to those who work on these jobs for a living.
Do some research, get a few quotes and speak to friends and family to see if they can recommend anyone.
Is it feasible?
It’s also crucial that you’re realistic. It may be that you call in the experts and they tell you that your basement isn’t suitable for the renovation you have in mind. Alternatively, you might not be able to get the planning in place to do what you’d like to do.
Figure out if you can make your vision a reality before you spend too much money.
