If you enjoy a challenge, and a gorgeous home, then renovating a house can be a breeze! House renovation, if done correctly, will yield great results, especially if you intend to live there once the work is completed.
Home renovations, as with all home improvements, require a lot of planning and hard work. But, they are a fantastic way to give new life to an older home. They will make it your own and add to its value.
How do you find a property that can be renovated?
In the details of an estate agent, properties that are ready to be renovated are often described as being ‘in need modernisation’. This could mean anything from a new kitchen or cosmetic changes to the space, to the removal of the tree. Set your budget before you begin looking for a home. Also, decide on the extent of the work you are comfortable doing.
Perhaps you’ve seen potential in a local property that isn’t yet on the market. It is not common, but it does happen.
How to determine the potential for a renovation project
How do you ensure that you don’t fall into the “money pit” when you are renovating your home? Always have a survey done before purchasing a property. The survey will be done by a member of Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.
But before you consider making an offer or booking a viewing, there’s a few things that you need to be aware of.
It’s almost everything.
You should always look for the worst house in the best street. This is great advice for anyone who is looking for a renovation deal. The property can only be as great as the location it is located in. Google Street View allows you to see the street from a distance and highlight any issues.
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Find the street’s ceiling value.
Rightmove and Zoopla allow you to check the sales of similar properties in your area. This will allow you to get an idea of what the home is worth so you can estimate your return on your investment.
You should be on the lookout if there is anything that can cost a lot of money to fix.
You could spend a few thousand on a roof repair. Be sure to inspect for damaged roof tiles and bowing timbers. Water can seep through tiles and cause problems inside. Windows can add a lot to your renovation costs. Single glazing may be upgraded to double to decrease heat loss and reduce running costs. However, it is important to preserve period windows as much as possible.
What does the home of your neighbor look like?
Your planned changes will they be in harmony with the rest of your street? Do they have any improvements made to their homes that could work on yours. Is it evident that they take pride in their homes?
Is there room to grow?
Consider how you can make the house more functional for your needs. There are many ways to convert existing space, such as the garage and loft. A simple loft conversion is possible if your pitch permits. The garden might be large enough for a rear extension, but still have plenty of outside space. You can also look at the neighboring properties to get an idea of possible options.
It will need to be renovated extensively.
Although there are many ways to make a house more beautiful, it is not advisable to spend too much money on this property. You should instead look for something smaller and more tailored to your needs.
Are there modern heating and electrics?
For a three-bedroom house, this is not a major problem. However, if your home needs to be completely rewired and/or central heated, expect to pay an additional PS3,000-PS5,000. You will notice signs of old electrics such as an old fuse box with ceramic switches and cast iron switches, surface-mounted cabling, black or fabric cables, Bakelite switches and old-fashioned sockets.
Step-by step guide to renovating your house
Which order should you renovate a home? For the best results, ensure you follow the right sequence of house renovations once you’ve purchased and found the perfect house for you to renovate. Our checklist will help you make the right choices.
1. Secure your information by learning about the time features
Many homes from the past have been demolished over the years. Beams are replaced with uPVC, original fireplaces are swapped out for electric options, and beautiful original windows are covered up. It’s disappointing to see homes that have lost their original character. However, before you begin to “restore” period features, be aware of the potential damage to the home’s heritage if you install things that are not necessary.
It is important to understand the age of your home and the people who lived there. For example, the average worker’s terraces may not have the splendor of a Georgian townhouse. So don’t add intricately carved fireplaces or plaster mouldings. Repairing existing features and making the house safe and dry is the best way to go.
2. Find out how much it will cost to renovate your house
Before you buy the property, do your research about house renovation costs. Once you are done with the purchase, look around and assess the scope of the work so that you can create a financial schedule.
A few mortgage lenders may be able to help you finance your project, and they will also offer staged payments. You can find out which stages you’ll need to complete each stage of the renovation if you choose this route.
Other cases require you to be realistic about how much work you can afford and when. It is important to ensure that the property is safe and dry. You will need hot water and heating to move in. It is best to avoid major repairs. You can live with cosmetic alterations, as long as there are finished rooms for cooking, washing, and sleeping.
If your property is in good enough condition but not as well as you would like, it’s possible to do a non-destructive renovation.
Sarah Beeny is a property developer and television presenter. She says it’s important to know exactly how much you will spend. According to Sarah Beeny, Rule number one is to set a budget and stick by it. To determine if it is possible to afford the room you need, calculate the cost of every room.
A contractor should give you a quote before they start working on your project. This will help you budget. However, it is best to keep a contingency fund of between 10-20% to cover any unexpected expenses when renovating older houses. After the structural work is complete, you’ll need to budget separately for decorating and furnishing.
3. Before you start, make sure to check the restrictions for renovations
You should have known at the point you sell your home if it was listed. If you’re unsure, check as it is an offense to unregistered work on a listed property. Buildings built before 1840 are more likely to be included in the list than those built later. There are nearly half a billion listed in the UK. To see if your home has been listed, visit British Listed Buildings. It is not uncommon for a listed house to require modifications to its exterior design. It is illegal to paint a house listed with plastic paints or use gypsum plasters.
The conservation status of a home in an area is another protection that may affect its ability to do work. Conservation Areas restrictions usually affect the exterior only. The intention is to preserve or enhance the area’s character or appearance. However, you may need planning permission for any works you have not been granted permission for elsewhere.
4. For planning consents, apply
Once you have drawn up your plans, it is time to identify which elements of the renovation you want to do.
Hugo Tugman advises, “Make sure that your understanding of the various consents that will be required.” Are you allowed to use the building for your dwelling or do you require consent for a material shift of use? Do you need planning permission? Even if your building is not listed, it will most likely need to be in compliance with building regulations. Additionally, you may need to have a party-wall agreement with neighbors. You can get help from an architect to navigate this maze.
Check with your local authority if you are looking to begin work immediately. You should only take on projects that fall under permitted development (PD), such a conversion of a garage or roof space. You will need to factor in the time needed to process your application if you require statutory consents. Planning decisions can be made in eight weeks. A full building regulations application may take up to six months.
5. Conduct a bat study
Bats love dark, quiet places in old homes. It is a crime to disturb bats when they roost. So conduct a bat survey.
Bat surveys are expensive but can also lead to higher fines. It is important that you do your research in advance. If you don’t plan ahead, it could cause delays and make the survey more difficult.
6. Make a plan for your house renovation
It’s worthwhile to take your time and make sure the final product meets your expectations. You should consider how the changes will affect the original building. Do you want extensions to be seamless with the existing property’s appearance? You want to transform the exterior of your house or restore its original beauty. To find out what your goals are, consult an architect.
You should also be careful about the layout of your rooms. Sarah Beeny advises that you should focus on natural light. It has the power of transforming and lifting any space. It is important to arrange rooms in a way that allows you to spend the most time where the sunlight shines. Also, consider the view. Good views can make all the difference.
7. Make a schedule.
Before you begin your home renovation project, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the steps involved. Before you begin any work, make sure you are clear about what steps you need to take. Prioritise those works that will prevent further decay or stabilize the structure. There is a possibility that the work in one room will impact the others (especially if it involves plumbing or wiring). Therefore, have a clear vision of the house and create a schedule of jobs listing the order of the jobs.
You should consult professionals before undertaking any major structural work or extending a home.
Although a loft conversion may appear to be a simple job that can be done from the ground floor, adding a habitable floor requires building regulations and fire doors. These issues will impact your budget as well as the aesthetics of the property.
8. Find the best contractors in your area for your home renovation
Refer to family and friends who are experienced in renovating houses. They can help you find an architect, builder, and, if necessary, a project manager, unless your goal is to do the project yourself.
Michael Holmes, a professional renovator, says you need to be comfortable and confident with all the people working on your property. It is worth having an expert like an architect or builder with you if you are looking to buy a renovation project. You can then get an idea of the cost and reflect that in your offer.