4 Commonly Overlooked Aspects of Home Renovations

A survey by confused.com found that over a third of homeowners plan on starting home renovations in the next 12 months, and around a third of contractors expect to quote for and undertake some type of home renovation work this year, too.

Homeowners are making a wise choice by opting for strategic home renovations. These not only enhance long-term comfort but also serve as a potential investment to boost the property’s value. However, it’s important to acknowledge that home renovations can be a complex journey. There are several factors to consider before embarking on this path, but with the right knowledge, you can navigate these challenges with confidence.

These often overlooked factors can impact your plans and throw a spanner in the works.

Surveys and Planning Permissions

Depending on the scope of your project, you may need to arrange various surveys before and after the work, and apply for planning permission. While these might not seem necessary at first, it’s always wise to check. This way, you’ll have a clear understanding of what to expect before you start, avoiding any potential issues later on. You might find you need electrical surveys, drainage surveys, and more, all of which can come with a significant cost. Being prepared and informed about these factors can help you plan your renovation journey more effectively.

Skip Hire

While most people know they will likely need a skip for the duration of the work, they don’t always realise who is hiring the skip or that they need permission for the skip to be placed on public land, e.g. the road. However, it’s important to confirm this with your contractor. You’ll also need to consider the size of the skips you need, the duration of the skip hire available, and more importantly, access. You need to be able to access the skip, and for the skip hire company to be able to access your property easily to place the skip in the desired location. It’s not always just a case of turning up and leaving the skip.

Functionality

What a lot of people can overlook is that the renovations you carry out need to be functional for the home you live in and how you use it. For example, if you’re a family with young children, adding a playroom or a secure outdoor play area could greatly enhance your home’s functionality. If you work from home, creating a dedicated office space could significantly improve your productivity. It’s not just an aesthetic change you are making; you need to make your home more livable. You should be looking at how the plans will impact your quality of life and how you use the space, how it will impact other parts of the home and if it will be worth it. If it doesn’t enhance your quality of life at home, then maybe you need to rethink your plans.

The Disruption

This is more common for people who are living through renovation work for the first time. The disruption involved in living at home when renovation work is taking place can be a lot to put up with, and this is often overlooked as a vital factor when planning, especially if you’re having bathroom or kitchen work done. Can you realistically live without full use of your bathroom and kitchen for the duration of the world, and what will you do if it’s rendered unusable for any period of time? One strategy could be to set up a temporary kitchen or bathroom in another part of your home, or to make arrangements to stay with family or friends during the most disruptive phases of the work. Be aware this can majorly derail your life, and all you have options if you can no longer bear to live in your home for any length of time during renovations.