Renovating a house can be a struggle, especially if you go into it unprepared. If you’re going to be undertaking a renovation project, then it will be worth taking a look at the following post. We will be detailing some of the key things that can crop up when renovating. We will also feature advice to help you go into a renovation project well prepared. Keep reading to find out more.

Planning permission

One of the main things you will have to be prepared for when renovating is planning permission. The process of applying for planning permission can be tricky to navigate, as there can be criteria you need to meet and details you will have to make sure are included in your application. The best way to avoid having an application rejected is to make sure you triple-check that all the details you need to have included are there and nothing has been missed out. Applications can take weeks or even months to be completed, with there being no guarantee after the long wait that they will be successful. Due to this, it can be a long-winded and frustrating process so you will need to prepare yourself with plenty of patience.

The best place to start is the Interactive Planning Portal. It will give key information for consideration, help you understand where to start and how to apply for planning.

Building surveys

Before you buy a property to renovate or if you’re thinking of renovating outhouses, then it’s important to make sure you have the appropriate surveys carried out. The most common survey is a building survey, but there could be other reasons for you to have various other surveys carried out.  A building survey will assess things such as the structural integrity of a building, whether it’s safe to carry out renovation work, and any serious issues that will need to be addressed to make the building safe to live in.

Ecological surveys

You may need an ecological survey if you’re going to be expanding your property onto a green space that could affect protected plants or animals. Arbtech offers a preliminary ecological survey that will cover the ecological effects your building work could have. You can then include this in your planning permission application if your report outlines that it’s possible to go ahead with your building work. Taking out an ecological survey could help you to get the application approved quicker and allow you to check out any minor issues before they become significant problems.  

Budget planning

When planning your renovation work, it will be very helpful for your finances if you can put together a detailed budget plan. This will help you to stay focused and avoid things such as overspending. Sticking to your budget plan allow you to achieve as much as of the plans you have, without having to miss out on features you want because you have overspent elsewhere. Of course, there could be unexpected costs and issues that can affect your plans, so it’s important to make sure you have a contingency budget for situations such as this.

You’ll often find through the process that you will need to compromise on things you initially wanted. You will also need to have an eye for a bargain. For example, if there is a design you have in mind or materials you want to use, try and find similar pieces that retail for a lower price. This will mean you get to achieve more of the vision you have in mind. Keep on top of your budget through the start to the finish of your renovation project to make sure you stay on track. Research ahead of the project the estimated costs for all of the elements involved in your build, from big aspects such as kitchen and bathrooms and contractor costs to small finishing touches.

Extensions

One of the most common ways people choose to renovate their house is by adding an extension. This is a fantastic way to add space to your home and achieve your dream home, without having to completely relocate to a new house. When adding an extension, you will need to work with an architect to design the perfect extension that will not only achieve what you have in mind but also work with the layout of your existing home and the land you’re going to be building on.

You will also need to decide whether you want a single-storey or double-storey extension. Try and bear in mind whether a double-storey extension would add useful space upstairs, or whether it would encroach on neighbouring properties too much. Also, make sure that you aren’t going to be using up too much space in your garden in order to add more space inside. An extension is useful if you want to create more room for living spaces such as kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms.

Loft conversions

The other popular way to add more space is by converting a loft space. This can be useful if you want to add an extra room such as a bedroom, dressing room, or simply for more storage space. You can access a loft conversion through a ladder but if you’re looking to really add value and more accessible living space, it’s better to have stairs installed. Many loft spaces will require insulation to be installed to make the room warmer and more energy efficient, as the roof space is one of the worst places in the home for heat to leak out. Depending on your plans, you may require planning permission before you can go ahead with your project. Consider adding things such as skylights and even an en-suite bathroom to get more use out of your loft conversion or adding extra value if you intend to sell.

Renovating your garden

If you’re going to be renovating indoor spaces in your home, then why not consider also having your garden landscaped as well. This will help to complement the work that has been carried out on the inside of your property. Great ways to improve the look of your garden include:

• Repaving slabs
• Laying new either real or faux grass
• Planting flowers and bushes
• Creating uniform decorations and borders
• Employ the advice of a landscape gardener

If you have a particular style of design within your home, you could carry this through to your garden to create more of a link between indoor and outdoor spaces.