7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Renovating
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Can I get funding assistance for home improvements?
You may be eligible for a home improvement renovation grant. These will need to be applied for prior to starting any work, so check with your local council as well as central government. If your residential property has been vacant for more than two years, you may be offered VAT concessions. More information on this can be found in VAT Notice 708. Having a clear budget for the project is essential. Before beginning the design process set out what you are able to spend, allowing a 10% contingency for anything unexpected.
For help with budgeting check out our blog 'How much does it cost to renovate a house?'
What surveys do I need for a home renovation?
If you’re looking to dramatically change your property’s layout, or add an extension which requires planning permission, you may need a measured (topographical) building survey. This will give you a precise scale drawing of the building’s existing layout, to be developed by your architect or interior designer. You can find a surveyor via the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. If structural work is being carried out (an extension or removal of load bearing walls), a structural engineer will need to conduct a survey, and most likely produce additional drawings. Your architect or interior design should be able to recommend an engineer they work with regularly.
Do I need planning permission to renovate my house?
If you are planning to extend or alter the roofline you are likely to require planning permission. If you live in a listed property or a conservation area, consent will almost certainly be needed prior to carrying out any work. If in doubt, contact your local planning department before starting work.
Danielle Lancaster Interiors. Click to enlarge.
Do I need an architect for my renovation project?
Extensions and major alterations to the exterior of the property will generally require the involvement of an architect. However, if you are updating the layout within the building’s existing foot print, an interior designer would be best to advise on the flow of the spaces. If internal walls are to be removed to create open plan spaces, your interior designer will work with a structural engineer to ensure the best outcome.
When to bring an interior designer on board?
It is best to engage with an interior designer early on in the project, even if you have an architect designing your extension. An interior designers role is to consider how you will occupy the internal space, and so having them work alongside your architect will result in a layout which most suits your family’s lifestyle.
For more on this, check out our blog post, ‘When to bring an interior designer on board’.
Which original features should I retain?
The character of period properties is most commonly found in the windows, floors, doors, fireplaces and mouldings. If some areas have fallen into a state of disrepair, you can have features such as plaster mouldings replicated, to blend seamlessly with the originals.
Unsure which of your properties period features are original? Check out our blog post 'Know Your Georgian From Your Victorian'
How do I stick to my renovation deadline?
A schedule of works is essential when renovating a house. It keeps the project on track by outlining every step of the project and defining the order in which the work will take place. Your interior designer can organise this for you, including who should be doing what and how much it will cost, to help you stay within budget!
