Category: property

How to create a home renovation budget – and stick to it

How to create a home renovation budget - and stick to it

Whichever way you slice it, home renovation projects require lots of time and money. That’s not to put you off doing a renovation altogether. Indeed, there are plenty of reasons that warrant a big overhaul, whether it’s because you need more space because you want to add value to your home or simply because you want a change.

Before you embark upon your project, make sure you know how much time and money it’s going to require. Setting a home renovation budget is of the utmost importance if you don’t want to be faced with an eye-watering sum at the end.

What to consider when formulating a budget

When calculating your budget, decide what jobs you want to be carried out and which ones you want to prioritise. An easy way to do this is to consider what tasks are suitable for which seasons and which of your wants and needs are more urgent.

Of course, the renovation project doesn’t end once the construction workers leave. You’re going to want to spend a decent amount of money on updating the interior and decoration. And remember, it’s always better to invest in great quality furnishings once rather than pay again and again to replace cheaper models.

Finally, include a financial buffer so you can deal with any unexpected costs if and when they crop up. Work a contingency into your budget – setting it 20% higher than the amount you think you’ll actually need, so you’re completely covered for every eventuality.

Vet your contractors

Hiring a construction company for the first time? Make sure you investigate their track record to ensure they’re reliable and will finish the job on time and to budget. Read reviews and speak to others who have hired them.

Broaden your options too, getting quotes from at least 3 companies in order to compare and weigh up your options.

Look out for deals

Furnishing your house can be an expensive business. However, it doesn’t have to be that way if you simply shop smart! Charity shops and second-hand stores are particularly good for affordable furniture and they often have some great quality pieces.

Alternatively, if you want something brand new, scour the internet for great Argos discount codes that will give you a great price for quality furniture that you’ll use and treasure for a lifetime.

Do it yourself where possible

You need to be a bit smart with this one; obviously don’t start knocking walls down and rebuilding core structures of the house. However, there are plenty of jobs that you can do yourself!

Leave the electrics and plumbing to the construction professionals whilst you busy yourself tiling your bathroom or kitchen in a style that pleases you, using stencils to create pretty patterns on the walls, painting your bedroom a brand new shade or erecting storage cupboards that will keep the mess at bay.

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Signs that your home is not as safe as it could be

Signs that your home is not as safe as it could be

If you’re concerned that your home is not as safe or as secure as it could be, then you’re not alone. Many people are in the same situation, but there are many things that you can do to try to improve the situation. Instead of installing new security measures, it’s helpful for you to address the security flaws that you have right now, to ensure that you’re not compromising your and your family’s safety.

A hidden spare key

If you have a spare key under the doormat or underneath a plant pot outside then this may sound like a good idea, especially if you lose your keys or find that you have a bit of an emergency situation on your hands. If you have a spare key outside then you may find that burglars have free access to your home and this is the last thing you need. You may think that your key is very hidden too, but experienced burglars tend to know all of the possible places where a home-owner may end up hiding their key, and if you aren’t careful, you could end up handing them your possessions. Your home insurance probably won’t cover you for things like this either, so be mindful of this and make sure that you’re not compromising your home’s safety through not being aware of how obvious your spare key location is.

No alarm

Alarm systems are usually visible at the front of a house, and this alone can be a great deterrent to criminals. If you want to further safeguard your home, then you should invest in a wireless burglar alarm. If you do this, you’ll discover that it can lower your home insurance premiums and lessens the chance of your property being targeted by burglars.

Second entryways

Do you have a second entry point to your home? If the answer is yes, then you remember to close and secure it whenever you go out. When you exit your home, you may automatically think about locking your front door, but you need to remember that your back door provides just as much access. Criminals can easily gain entry to your home through an unlocked back door when you’re out, not to mention that it gives them more privacy too. If you want to do something about this, then make sure that you lock the back door before you leave the house. If you can do this, then you’ll find that things end up working in your favour, and that your home is more secure as a result.

Signs your home is unoccupied

Your house may sometimes be unoccupied for long periods of time, such as if you go on holiday for a week or two. On such occasions, you should make sure that it’s not too obvious. The signs of a vacant home can often be obvious, and if this is the case with your property, then you have to make sure that you take steps to avoid this. It may be that you have a ton of junk mail piling up outside the front door. Lights off in the evening can also be a sign that you’re away from home, so you need to be proactive. Pause your postal subscriptions if you know that you’re going to be away when they’re to be delivered and put a couple of lamps on an automatic timer so that they come on at dusk and off again at dawn each day.

Poorly lit areas

Do you have any outdoor lighting on your property? Are your front and rear entrances properly illuminated? If not, then this can provide an opportunity for criminals to try to enter under the cloak of darkness.

If you want to secure your home, then you need to make sure that you are not making it an easy target for criminals to break and enter.

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How to transform your new build home

How to transform your new build home

There’s a common misconception that buying a new build means that you’re destined to live in a characterless home. However, this is completely untrue, not only can new builds be a wise decision financially, but they’re also easy to completely personalise to your tastes. So, whether you’re currently looking into new homes for sale, or you’ve just received your keys, here are some of the things that you can do to transform your new build home into your dream place to live.

Enquire about personalisation

For many people, the biggest appeal of buying a new build home is the ability to personalise it during the building phase. When you begin looking at new homes and different developers, enquire into whether there’s any scope for you to make interior choices throughout the process of the build. Often, if you reserve a home early enough, developers will allow you to choose options such as your worktops and flooring. This means that from the offset of moving in, the house is to your taste and won’t need to be changed further down the line.

Add in character

It’s often assumed that only old houses can have character, but this isn’t the case at all. Although older homes do benefit from in-built character, there are plenty of ways that this can be injected into new homes to give them a very similar feel. Browse sites like Pinterest to gain inspiration for how you’d like your home to look. It can be useful to create a mood board featuring images of different styles that appeal to you. Once you’ve done this, search for common themes and begin implementing these in your own home. This could be anything from installing coving and picture rails to adding panelling in some rooms. These features are really effective at adding both character and a personal feel to your home.

Don’t be afraid of colour

Most new build homes are painted in very neutral colours and tones to ensure they appeal to a wide range of prospective buyers. Despite this, there’s no need to shy away from colour in your home. Adding in colour is a fantastic way to transform your home and make it truly feel like your own. This doesn’t just apply to the colour of your walls but is also relevant to interior features such as furniture. If you aren’t ready to commit to an orange sofa or a green headboard, try incorporating colour through decorative features such as soft furnishings and other accessories. It’s common interior design practice to use a range of textures to create a homely feel too, use this in your own new build home.

Prioritise lighting

 It’s likely that your new build home will only come with basic overhead lighting in each room. Installing and using alternative lighting can completely transform a home. Consider investing in some table and floor lamps, under-cupboard lighting and LED strips to create more atmosphere and cosiness.

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Home renovations that can increase your home’s value

Home renovations that can increase your home's value

Home-owners should always be looking to add value to their property. Whether you plan on selling soon or not, adding value is a smart move that ensures that you maximize the amount of money you get when you do eventually come to sell or pass it on to loved ones. There are all kinds of home improvement projects worth considering that could increase your home’s value while also improving your quality of life. Here are a few of the best ideas.

Garage conversion

Many home-owners have a garage that’s used mainly as a dumping ground. This is a waste of valuable square footage that could be converted and used in more beneficial ways. Ultimately, people want square footage when looking at properties as it provides them with more space in which to live. A garage could be used as a home gym, office, living room or an extension of the home by knocking through from the main house.

Landscaping

Landscaping is also worthwhile because this can add value and make your home more appealing to potential buyers. Additionally, landscaping is often a lot more affordable than other home improvement projects. This could include improving the curb appeal, creating more privacy by growing tall hedges or making the back garden more appealing with eye-catching flower beds just as a few examples.

Energy efficiency

One of the best ways to improve your home right now and add value is to make it energy efficient. At a time when energy bills are a major concern and people are becoming increasingly eco-conscious, a home that’s energy efficient is highly appealing (it will also help you to lower your bills). There are a number of ways that you can make a home more energy efficient, including installing solar panels, fitting double glazing, laying insulation and switching to a smart thermostat.

New kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of every home and a space that has a massive impact on a property’s value. This is also a space that can begin to look run down over time, so remodelling this space is always a smart way to add value to your home and make it more appealing to potential buyers. A new kitchen can be expensive; however, you could look into how equity release could help by freeing up money tied up in the property to fund the project.

New doors

Sometimes, simple upgrades like adding new doors can make a huge difference to the overall look and value of your home. If you really want to impress future buyers, consider adding sleek and modern-looking bifold doors. Not only do they add more daylight to a room, but they can bring the fresh outdoors into your house on those pesky hot summer days. These grey aluminium bifold doors, for example, are also custom-made and highly secure, which means they’ll look great in any property and ultimately increase the value of your home!

If you’re looking to add value to your home then these are just a few of the projects you could consider. All the above are upgrades will increase your home’s value while at the same time changing your life for the better.

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