Tag: renovate

How to renovate your home the right way

How to renovate your home the right way

Renovating your home is both exciting and challenging at the same time. It doesn’t matter if you’re updating a single room or you’ve decided to transform your entire space.

Taking a well-planned approach can make all the difference between success and frustration. Homeowners often underestimate the amount of planning and preparation that’s needed to avoid costly mistakes and delays. With the right steps, the journey to renovate your home can go very smoothly and stay within your budget.

Get clear on your vision

Before you pick up tools, you need to make sure you know exactly what you want. Start by browsing several design ideas.

Go ahead and create mood boards, this will help you to identify your priorities. Decide what are your must-haves versus your nice-to-haves. Having this kind of clarity will really help steer your choices throughout the whole process.

Talk to family members to ensure everyone’s on the same page. By planning ahead, you’ll find that you have to make fewer compromises down the line.

Choose the right team

Hiring the right professionals is a must for any home renovation. Whether it’s an architect, interior designer or a general contractor, experience is going to matter.  Don’t simply rely on the lowest bid that you get; look at portfolios, read reviews and make sure to ask for referrals. Clear communication from the start will reduce any misunderstandings that may arise.

Be sure to discuss your timeline and expectations early on in the process. Make sure that you get everything in writing before work begins. The right team will bring your vision to life and there will be much fewer surprises.

Make the most of digital tools

Technology can be a fantastic ally when you’re diving into a renovation project. Consider using apps to help you design layouts and track your expenses. It’s also crucial to maintain regular communication with your contractors. Online platforms can be a great resource for comparing materials and obtaining quotes.

They’ll also help you to schedule tasks efficiently. This is especially helpful during a large-scale property project such as a home renovation. With everything that happens during a renovation, it’s all too easy for little details to get overlooked. Thankfully, these tools can really help you keep everything organised and maintain control over the entire process.

Don’t overlook the details

Small choices can really shape the outcome of your renovation. Take a moment to think about where you’ll place your lighting, how you’ll organise storage and even where to put your electrical outlets.

It’s important to tackle these decisions early on. These little details, which are often brushed aside, will significantly influence both the functionality and the vibe of your space. By giving them some thought now, you can steer clear of a lot of regrets once the work is completed.

 

Get it right

A successful renovation doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s always the outcome of thoughtful planning, honest budgeting and a strong team effort. Keep your goals in mind, but also be ready to adapt when necessary. Lean on smart tools to help guide you – they can be incredibly useful. With a bit of preparation and patience, you can turn your dream space into a reality much faster than you might think, all without the added stress.

 

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A guide to home renovations – How to build your own home

A guide to home renovations - How to build your own home

Building your own home is such an exciting project! But once you dive into the details, it can quickly become a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry, though – there’s a wealth of helpful information out there to guide you through when you feel lost.

When it comes to any home renovations, especially if you plan to build your own home from the ground up, a lot of planning and preparation is essential. Here are a few tips to help you kick off the journey toward creating the home you’ve always dreamed of.

1. Get your planning and design rolling

Planning and design are crucial parts of any home renovation and, of course, when you’re building a house from scratch. It’s easy to rush through this stage in your excitement, or to think you can just keep everything in your head to share with suppliers and contractors.

But for a big project like this, you really want to plan and design everything down to the last little detail. This way, you can ensure that everything is communicated just as you envision it, helping you avoid any disappointments during the building process.

2. Know your budget and estimate wisely

Understanding your budget is key to making fair and accurate estimates for your project. It’s a good idea to think about what you believe things will cost, as some materials and services may end up being pricier than you expect.

By overestimating your costs, and including a contingency, you’ll ensure that you have enough funds to cover everything, allowing the project to proceed smoothly and meet your standards.

3. Secure all necessary permits and planning permissions

When it comes to building a home or undertaking any renovation, obtaining the right permits and planning permissions is vital.

If you start work without these approvals, you could find yourself having to undo everything you’ve done, which means losing both time and money. So, make sure you have all your paperwork in order before you begin!

4. Work with the right suppliers and contractors

There are some fantastic suppliers and contractors out there, but let’s be realistic – there are also quite a few you’d want to steer clear of. While home builders are plentiful, it’s crucial to choose the right one, no matter how much digging you have to do to find the perfect fit for your home.
Tap into your network – ask friends and family for recommendations, and don’t forget to check online reviews to guide your decision.

5. Always keep in communication, and expect delays to happen

Staying in touch throughout the project is key. It ensures that everyone involved is on the same page and actively working towards the goal. Builders and contractors can sometimes take their sweet time, so being a client who regularly checks in for updates can really help keep things moving. Just remember, it’s important to accept that delays are a part of the process.

These tips will set you on the right path to building your dream home, so make sure to put them into action when needed!

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Tips for planning the perfect home extension

Tips for planning the perfect home extension

You’ve decided that your cosy cottage or suburban mid-century modern pad needs more elbow room. Maybe the dog has taken over your office, or the kids have turned the living room into a LEGO minefield. Whatever the reason, planning a home extension can feel like a huge and imposing task – one that you think you may not be able to get through, whether because it’s hard to plan or because it’s difficult to live alongside the work being done. The good news is, this guide will help you with just enough practical advice to keep your renovation dreams intact.

Define your “Why”

Before you start doodling floor plans on cocktail napkins, ask yourself why you want the extension. More light? A fancy kitchen island worthy of TV cooking programmes? Or perhaps a medieval-themed man cave where you can reenact epic battles in peace and privacy? Knowing your motivation helps you avoid scope creep, surprise costs and furious arguments about whether you really need a 12-foot island.

Set a realistic budget

Money makes the world – and your extension – go round, so be honest with your wallet. Research local construction costs, add a contingency of at least 15 to 20 percent, and remember that the “affordable marble worktop” you saw online may require you to take out a second mortgage. It’s tempting to dream big, but overspending can haunt you longer than that “one weird trick” infomercial gadget you regret buying.

Embrace good architectural design

If the phrase “architectural design” makes you yawn, think again. A savvy architect can transform a wonky pile of bricks into a harmonious space that flows like poetry, or at least doesn’t make you question your life choices every time you walk in. Good design balances form and function, blends with your existing home and maximises natural light. Plus, it means you won’t end up with a secret corridor that’s only wide enough for a toddler to slink through.

Choose the right team

Hiring contractors can feel like online dating – you’ll vet a dozen profiles, endure awkward meetings and hope you’re not catfished by someone who “hates delays”. Check references, read reviews and, if possible, visit a finished project. Communication is key, so pick people who respond to calls, respect your ideas and don’t go AWOL for weeks on end. A reliable crew will keep your sanity intact, and no one wants to be the next cautionary tale on home improvement forums.

Plan for the unexpected

There’s always a surprise lurking behind your walls – rot, termites or that mysterious mould that looks like an alien civilisation. Factor in time and money for the unexpected, and mentally prepare to pivot. Your contractor may discover a load-bearing wall where you didn’t expect one, or plumbing that dates back to the Churchill administration. Breathe, adapt and remember that every hiccup is a story you’ll someday recount at dinner parties.

A home extension is a big change and a big job, but if you bear all the above in mind, you can get it right, enhance your home and improve the quality of your family’s life!

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Renovating a basement? These tips are exactly what you need

Renovating a basement? These tips are exactly what you need

In the UK, basements are commonplace in older buildings. Typically, most homes built after the 1960s lack basements, and for this reason, they’re unlikely to be found in many properties unless you’re on uneven ground or in a period home, such as a Georgian or Victorian home, as the basement was likely built for servants’ quarters.

If you’re considering renovating a basement, what do you need to know, and how can you ensure that your basement is safe and fit for purpose?

You need to meet regulations

Homes with basements don’t typically need planning permission unless they’re in a conservation area or the floor level of an existing basement is being lowered.

You’ll need to acquire building regulation approval if you’re turning your basement from an unusable place to one that is habitable or if you’re changing its use, i.e. from a cellar to a living space. These regulations pertain to waterproofing, ventilation, safe access/means of escape, smoke alarms, electrical wiring and plumbing. It’s important to understand what you need before embarking on any renovation work so you can be sure you meet all the necessary requirements, especially for a change of use.

Address moisture issues

It should come as no surprise that basements are more prone to damp than other areas of the house. This is due to their underground situation, where water can accumulate. If you want to make your basement functional or protect your property from the structural damage caused by a damp basement, then you need basement tanking. Basement tanking is where you make your entire basement waterproof and seal it with a membrane that prevents external moisture from penetrating. This can protect both the basement itself and the entire building structure.

Ventilation

Your basement won’t be subject to the same amount of ventilation as the rest of the property, so you’ll need to factor in airflow when it comes to converting it into a safe, usable space for any purpose. This will help control moisture content and create a desirable environment. If possible, consider installing windows for a natural ventilation system, like you would upstairs. Adding doorways to expose the basement externally can also help, as can mechanical ventilation systems in situations where windows and doors aren’t possible or practical.

Lighting

Lighting can be a tricky feature to address for basements; after all, their location doesn’t exactly allow them to be bathed in natural light for the most part. Consequently, allowing in as much natural light as you can is vital. Whether or not the construction of your room allows for skylights or other lighting options to illuminate the space, i.e. patio doors if your basement leads to a garden, you can introduce artificial lighting that mimics natural lighting internally. You need to create the illusion of natural light in order to avoid the room being a dark space that isn’t a pleasant space in which to spend time.

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