Five tips for planning a home renovation
Considering a home renovation? These five tips may help in the decision making process.
1. Get recommendations. Personal recommendations from others who have been through a renovation can be helpful. Ask those people in case they know about an architect, project manager, or builder or go online and make the right choice based on the company’s track record.
2. Tackle structural defects first. These issues should be addressed before they become larger concerns. For instance, a leaky, unchecked roof or any electrical problem can cause expensive (and larger) issues in the long run.
3. Know the end goal. Is this a renovation designed to increase resale value? Or is it to improve the comfort for both short- and long-term occupancy? Consider the condition of surrounding homes in the neighbourhood to evaluate what is suitable. Find out which renovations are seen as a good return on investment.
4. Set a budget. A home renovation budget should include the rates for materials, building permits, decorative finishes and labour. Begin by establishing a budget and then securing the financing. It's advisable to reserve a minimum of 10% of the budget for unexpected costs.
5. Create a timeline. Once a start date is established, the contractor should then calculate the amount of time needed for each portion of the project. Priorities can be set and concurrent tasks can be identified. Time should be included for shipping and delivery of materials.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
What they are, how they work and why they are popular in many countries.
Plastic, recycling and its symbol
Student competition winning, M.C.Esher inspired Möbius strip design symbolising continuity within a finite entity.
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.
Biomass harvested in cycles of less than ten years.
An interview with the new CIAT President
Usman Yaqub BSc (Hons) PCIAT MFPWS.
Cost benefit model report of building safety regime in Wales
Proposed policy option costs for design and construction stage of the new building safety regime in Wales.
Do you receive our free biweekly newsletter?
If not you can sign up to receive it in your mailbox here.
Comments