Whether you’re buying a fixer upper, or renovating a home you already own, a large-scale home renovation can be hard work. You may be looking at what needs to be done and feeling overwhelmed, but it is possible to get organised and ensure you stay on deadline. Simply follow the tips below.
Make sure you have all the parts in place
If you’ve got tradespeople coming round to do work for you, it’s important that you get all the parts needed before they begin. Many people order things too late, which means they end up paying tradespeople to sit around and do nothing. That’s why you should order everything in advance as early as possible, so you don’t have a last-minute panic. Find an electrical manufacturing goods store who offer a wide variety of products, as they’ll be able to supply electrical parts for your projects. Some tradespeople quote you for both parts and labour, which can sometimes mean you pay more, so it’s worth comparing the cost of buying directly.
Rent a skip or dumpster
One of the toughest parts of a renovation is ripping everything out and creating a blank canvas. You can make your life much easier by renting a dumpster or skip to leave outside your house. Many businesses who offer skip hire offer recycling and sorting too, so you just throw it all in there and it gets sorted out for you. This means it’s much easier to get this part of the process finished.
Consider living elsewhere
If you’re going to be renovating kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces, it’s often best to pack your suitcases and live elsewhere for the duration of the project.
Some options to consider include:
- A short-term rental
- Staying with family or friends
- Hotels
- Renting or buying a mobile home to keep in your garden
The option you choose will depend on the scale and length of your project. If it’s just a few weeks, you may be OK with living in a hotel, but if you’re going to be renovating the place for months, consider an option such as a rental apartment.
Ensure you have permission to do the work
Many projects are delayed due to red tape. It’s important to familiarise yourself with local laws and work out what you need in order to go ahead with the project. You should read the building control act and decide whether your project needs planning permission. If it does, it’s best to get this in place as soon as possible, so you don’t end up with a last-minute rush. Some government functions can take a long time, so never assume it’ll be straightforward and sorted quickly.
It’s common to feel a sense of dread when you have a large-scale project to complete. However, it’s important not to panic. You should take it one step at a time, getting everything organised and in place long before the tradespeople show up. Then, all you have to do is wait for the work to be finished.