Whether you have moved house or you have been in your home a while, renovating your home is not a small job to complete. Not only will it take a lot of time, but it will also cost you a lot of money, especially if you are including major works such as a new roof, an extension, or a remodel. This is why, when renovating your home, you need to make a solid plan. Without a good plan in place, your renovations are more likely to experience delays, unforeseen costs, or even failure. This is the last thing you want when investing your time and money in your own home.

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 You want the renovation project to be successful, so you can enjoy your forever home and make it your own. To help you on your journey, here are some top tips for planning a successful renovation. 

What needs doing

A renovation can be exciting, especially when you can finally make your home your own and customize it to your liking. However, you mustn’t only think about what you want for your home, but what your home needs. The last thing you want to do is make your home the perfect location, only to find there are problems with your home foundations and you need to undo all of your hard work and start again. 

When trying to understand what your home needs, you should not think about aesthetics and try to look at your home from another perspective. Go around your home and do a thorough assessment of its current condition. You may also wish to seek the support of a professional contractor, such as a surveyor, to help you identify any problem areas or fixes that are necessary to the condition of your home. You need to think long-term. Although this might use a lot of your budget, you want to ensure that your home is safe and functional and is not going to cause you any more issues later down the line. To help you, you should try and split up your home into different areas, such as the interior exterior, fixtures and fittings, electrical and heating systems, functional areas, and sustainability. 

Interior 

When looking at your home interior, you need to consider it from a structural point of view. You may need to declutter and move items around so you can check every corner for any issues. Check the attic and basement as well. You should be looking for any signs of mold, dampness, or pests. You can also look for any water leaks, draughts, warped floors or walls, broken or old sealant in the bathroom and kitchen, broken fixtures, hazards, and more. All of these issues can amount to large, dangerous, and expensive damages if they are not resolved sooner rather than later. If you are renovating your home, you want to make sure any issues like this are found and addressed within the project. 

Exterior 

The exterior of a property is vital when renovating your home, but is often missed by homeowners. What the exterior of your home looks like may not matter to you, however, it can cause significant issues if there are unresolved problems that are not dealt with. Check the brickwork for any missing bricks, cracks, warps, or pest infestations. Check the roof for any holes or damage. This includes the roofs on things like your sheds and garages too. When the roof gets old, it may not be obvious at first, but it will eventually cause problemswith the foundation, as well as cause water damage and other unpleasant issues. A replacement roof might be something that you need to consider within your renovation project. You can seek support from ClearAmberShop.com.

Electrics and heating 

The electrical and heating system in your home is something that you should consider including in your renovation project. They can be expensive to fix if there are any issues, so including them within your assessment, and then your budget if necessary, is a smart thing to do. You should consider how well they work, how old the systems are, how economical it is, and what issues you have been facing. You may also seek the help of a professional electrician and plumber to conduct an assessment for you to see how well it is performing and if they can foresee any issues shortly. Many people upgrade their heating and electrical systems when they do a renovation, including things like smart electrical setups and underfloor heating. 

What you want to do 

It is just as important to consider the things that you want to achieve with your home, from an aesthetic point of view. It will be great for your well-being and your future if you can create a home that is customized to your liking, and a renovation is a good way to achieve that. Do some research and make a note of all the different functional and design aspects of other homes that you have seen. You can use visual search platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to find the right ideas and save them to a folder, so you have a good idea of what you might want. You can then get your partner and family members to do the same. This will give you a chance to get everyone’s preferences, and together, you can create your dream home. You can also seek the support of a professional interior designer to help you curate ideas and piece together everything that you like. They have a great eye for detail and will be able to create something unique and personal to you and your family. Make sure you consider everything that you want to see in your home, and include it in your renovation plan. 

Permits, licenses and budget 

Now you have a better idea of what things you need and want to include in your renovation project, you should consider your budget and available funds, while also leaving yourself an emergency fund. You should also consider what permits and licenses you will need to obtain to be able to achieve the renovation you want. This will entail doing some research online and perhaps even speaking with your local authority. If you are only making changes to the inside, you may not need a permit. If you are making large changes such as adding an extension to your home, you will not be able to move forward until you have obtained the correct permissions. It can be a long and complicated process, so you must conduct thorough research that is relevant to the work that you are doing, to find out what you need to know. If you don’t have time or struggle to know what you need, you can seek the support of an architect. 

Set expectations and make a plan 

Using all of this information, you can now piece together the perfect plan for a successful renovation. Make sure you use the SMART method of setting goals, making them specific, measurable, achievable, reliable, and timebound. Goals and expectations should be shared with family, but also with every contractor involved in your project, so you can ensure you all work together and communicate effectively. Your research into what you need and what you want should help you set an appropriate budget. The last thing you need to do is take action on your plan. Be prepared for bumps in the road, and make sure you stay open to adapting. 

A renovation project is timely and expensive. Make sure you hit the ground running and make a solid plan. Use this information to formulate an educated plan for your renovation.