Home Renovations: Things to Think About Before You get the Builders In

First-time buyers are finding it increasingly difficult to get on the property ladder. House prices are soaring, which is why a lot of people are opting for cheaper homes that need a little work done. Renovating a home can often be a big undertaking, but it is worth it because you get to make the house your own. However, before you rush into getting the builders in, there are a few things you should think about.

Financial Considerations

Obviously, there are a lot of financial considerations that you need to make. In addition to working out what kind of budget you are working with, you also need to know whether the work is going to make sense financially. In an ideal world, all the work that you do will increase the value of your home to ensure that the money spent is a worthwhile investment. Your budget should be proportional to the value that the work is going to add to your home. It doesn’t make sense to spend thousands on work that does little for the value of the property. For example, an updated kitchen, modern bathroom suite or a well-designed garden with a glass veranda, like the ones from Nationwide, that allows the inhabitants to enjoy outdoor living no matter the weather can all help to add value to your property; and often dramatically transform your home too.

The Scale

The next thing to think about is the scale of the work that needs doing. Obviously, smaller interior jobs will progress much more quickly and simply. Whereas larger jobs or additions to the home will take more time, be more costly and might also require planning permission. Depending on the size of the job, you might want to reach out to the local authority to see whether you need planning permission. If you do, you will have to fill out and submit an application. The process itself is pretty straightforward.

Legal Adherence

The building work that you want to carry out will need to be compliant with the local laws and legislation. This might not be something that you need to worry about if the job is small. However, for larger jobs that pertain to the structural integrity of the house or the appliances in it, then the laws and regulations in place are important because they can directly affect your safety. For the most part, this won’t come down to you; the builders will be in charge of making sure that they are met, which is why choosing the right builders is important.

Insurance Providers

Before you bring in the builders, you really need to reach out to your home insurance provider. Whenever any significant work is carried out on your home, the value of the house changes, which will affect your policy. Your home insurance policy covers your home as is, which means any updates or renovations will not be covered or may even invalidate the policy entirely. You should always inform your insurance provider beforehand; they can adjust your policy accordingly and may even be able to offer you a few tweaks to your policy which should cover the building work and any potential damage it may cause to your home.

Your Neighbours

In anticipation of the builder’s arrival, you really ought to consider your neighbours. Obviously, for the most part, the work will take place during the day while your neighbours are working, but a lot of people work from home now, and they might also have kids that could be disturbed by the noise created by the building work. In order to encourage a harmonious relationship with your neighbours, you ought to think about informing them of your plans. Letting them know that you’re having work done and the potential disruptions that they could experience is a courtesy. If they know ahead of time, they are far more likely to be gracious and tolerate it, especially if your project runs into delays or obstacles that prolong the work.

The Builders Themselves

The final element that you should consider before you call in the builders is the builders themselves, of course. You need to do your research before hiring a building company. Shop around and get quotes from a few different options. It is also worth looking them up online to see whether any previous customers have left reviews. You could also see whether your friends or family have any recommendations too.

Final Words

Trends are constantly changing, and with house prices soaring, a lot of homeowners are having to settle for a cheaper, outdated house that needs work doing because it is what they can afford. The truth is that building work can certainly increase the value of your home, which can be beneficial when you come to sell it. It can also help your family to fit into the home more comfortably too. Having your home renovated is a big deal; there are a lot of moving parts to consider, so bear in mind the list above to help make sure that you haven’t forgotten anything.