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Renovating a house is ideal for making sure the space you live in is perfect for your needs and can accommodate your lifestyle exactly how you need it to. Sadly, not any properties are built with your specifications in mind and in the UK, with many older homes not suited to the modern way of living, renovations are often the perfect compromise to getting a home you love without the process of having to sell up and move.
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But before you get to the fun stuff, such as picking your decor scheme and finishings, what do you need to know beforehand?
Get A Survey
Before you do anything, you need to consult the services of a chartered surveyor. Typically costing anywhere from £500 to £1,000, a chartered surveyor can alert you to any concerns within your home, such as structural issues or dampness. While they cannot find hidden issues or give you an idea of costs, they can alert you of potential concerns before building work gets underway, so you have an idea of what to expect.
Check Planning Permission
You do not always need planning permission for renovation work or home extensions. Typically, if your home isn’t a listed building or otherwise in a conservation area, you will be free to make several changes before you require permission. For example, a single storey kitchen extension will not usually need permission; however, a two-storey extension or alterations to the roof of your home could require approval.
Not sure what will be allowed? Check what type of work neighbours have had done to give you an idea of what kind of work and style will likely be granted permission. Work with architects familiar in your local area ot help you draw up any plans for your application and increase the likelihood of them being accepted without problems.
Consider A Warranty
A warranty isn’t essential, and it may feel like an added expense. Still, it can be worth it in the long run as a warranty can cover you in the event of flaws in the design, construction, materials, etc. Typically, they last for around ten years but make sure to get one as early as possible in the process as premiums will rise the longer you leave it.
Why?
A simple but often overlooked aspect of any home renovation plan is the why behind your work. Simply put, if you know why you are doing the work and what you want to gain from it, you can quickly come to make the best decisions possible. For example, are you looking to make changes to enable your family to grow and stay in the house for as long as possible? If so, do you want to make sure you are happy with all the details and know the work will continue to benefit you for as long as possible? If you are planning to move a few years and the result is to increase the home’s value, you might not need to be so particular about the level of finish as this isn’t something you will be living with for too long.