What to Do Before Renovating Your Home

Embarking on a kitchen renovation, bathroom remodel, or loft conversion can feel exciting yet nerve-wracking. After all, you will need to carefully manage your finances, hire the right team, and comply with various legal requirements.

To ensure a renovation runs as smoothly as possible from day one of the project, read the following advice on what to do before renovating your home.

Establish a Renovation Budget

Before hiring a tradesperson, establish a realistic budget for what you want to achieve. Identify the maximum amount you are willing to spend on the project and place at least 15% of the sum into a contingency fund. Doing so provides peace of mind that you have the funds available for any unexpected issues, such as structural problems or outdated electrical wiring.

Interview Various Tradespeople

Various hand tools, including a hammer, pliers, paintbrush, tape, rulers, spirit level, and screws, are arranged in the shape of a house on a wooden surface.

Once you have established a realistic renovation budget, you must then interview various potential contractors. Never hire the first professional who provides a quote, as it could unnecessarily inflate costs.

In addition to requesting a free quote from each prospective contractor, take the time to ask for references from their past projects and read various online reviews to avoid hiring the wrong team. Also, make sure the professional you choose has liability insurance and the appropriate licensing.

Move Your Belongings into Storage

Never underestimate how far construction dust can travel throughout the home. Even if you are only embarking on a kitchen remodel, you will be surprised by how much mess the project will make in the home.

For this reason, it is recommended to place your belongings, such as expensive breakables, large furniture, and important possessions, into HOLD Self Storage. By doing this, it ensures the items are safe during a renovation, and the contractors will have more freedom to move across the home and space to store tools during a project.

Request Permits in Advance

You may need to apply for one or more permits from your local council before embarking on structural, plumbing, or electrical work. If you fail to adhere to strict building regulations ahead of a renovation, you might be forced to shut down all building work, undo the changes, and may receive a large fine. For this reason, it is essential to receive approval before any building work begins to prevent serious consequences.

Order Renovation Materials ASAP

A person wearing gloves and overalls kneels on the floor, stirring yellow paint in a tin. Paint tins, a roller, a tray, and a ladder are nearby. The floor is covered with plastic sheeting for protection.

If you are planning to install custom cabinets in your kitchen, replace windows, or lay imported tiles in a bathroom, you must order materials as soon as possible. The last thing you will want is for shipping delays to halt a project, especially if a contractor is ready to get started.

Talk to Your Neighbours

It is important to talk to your neighbours before commencing a renovation project. You can trust that they will appreciate advance notice about any noise from building work, dust that might enter their home, or extra vehicles on the street. You could even prevent tension or complaints with a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates as an apology for any noise, mess, or traffic issues the project may cause.

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