Renovating your home can be an incredibly large project to undertake, particularly if you are conducting structural work or are deciding to extend. If you are struggling to know where to start, then this guide will explore some of the questions that you need to ask yourself in order to make the necessary preparations before you begin your renovation project. You can also read 5 Cost Effective Renovations to Add Value to Your Home.
Can you afford the renovations?
Budgeting for your renovations is crucial to ensure that you can complete the project without falling into financial hardship. To do this, you should construct a budget that covers all of the fixed aspects of your renovation, such as the cost of any professionals that you hire and the materials that you use.
You should then aim to stick to this budget as the project progresses. If you are struggling to pay a sudden cost, you should consider taking out a quick loan from CashLady, which can help to cover any urgent bills, such as home repairs or unexpected expenses.
Are you going to hire a professional?
Next, you need to decide whether you are going to hire a professional to complete your renovations or whether you will employ DIY techniques to do this. Professionals can use their expertise to help you with renovations such as brick-laying, concreting, plastering, and even painting.
Although employing a professional is more expensive, you should only consider opting for DIY if you have a basic understanding of the right techniques, and if it is safe to do so without prior experience.
If you want to learn more about DIY, then you should search for the appropriate guides at DIY Doctor.
Are there any structural issues with your home?
Structural issues have the potential to put any project on hold, and so it is important that you make an attempt to isolate and solve any structural issues within your home before you start work. These can include damp and mold growth, subsidence and weak roofs, and problems with the electrics or plumbing within your home. You may have to call out a professional in order to manage these issues.
Are you looking to sell?
If you are renovating to sell your home, you need to consider the elements that will add value to your home. These can include laying underfloor heating, adding an extension or conservatory, and converting an attic or garage space into an extra room. It is important to calculate the value that these renovations will add to your home before you begin the project. You should also ensure that your renovations are appealing to a wider audience and that you do not concentrate on personalizing these to a point where the house becomes unsellable to others.
What is the schedule for your renovation?
When you are renovating, it is vital that you create a tight schedule for your project and that you are able to stick to this throughout the duration of the renovations. A schedule will also ensure that you are able to create a logical order for the steps of your renovation. This will avoid scope-creep during your project and will enable you to avoid extra costs that could impact your personal finances.
Do you need building permits?
However, an integral part of planning your renovation is to check whether you need a building permit in order to carry out your work. These building permits are decided by your local town and rely on the building code within which your home falls, the materials that you use, and whether your construction meets your town’s standards.