Renovation

Renovation is the process of improving a home. It can either be a small improvement or a large one. It involves bringing something, like a bedroom, bathroom or kitchen, back to life or giving it a fresh lease of life through structural work, painting or the addition of soft furnishings to make the room modern and functional again.

Reasons people choose to renovate

When it comes to renovation, the reasons can be multiple, but they generally fall into three categories:

Boosting Value

Homeowners will often want to renovate their homes to add value to the price of their property whenever they come to resell it.

Old for New

As their needs change, homeowners may consider changing their homes. These can include renovations of rooms to become more useful in the house's overall footprint or require a makeover that brings parts of the home up to modern living standards. These include walls being knocked down for more open-style living or putting up walls to add rooms. For many, though, the main focus will be bringing kitchens and bathrooms up to scratch.

Energy Efficiency

To reduce a spike in energy bills, homeowners may well look to renovate to make their homes more energy-efficient, green or sustainable.

Types of home improvement

Whether it is for comfort, aesthetics, energy efficiency or something more radical, the types of renovation can be many and various or simply essential.

These can include upgrading heating and ventilation, giving a chic look to a bathroom, enhancing capacity in the footprint, upgrading plumbing and electrical needs, or more complex requirements such as soundproofing, waterproofing or improving heat and energy efficiencies.

Renovation can cover projects from a house extension to a loft conversion to a complete refurb or repurposing a room to be converted into an ensuite.

What is the process?

For many householders, the term renovation can be defined in three ways:

Light

For works such as repainting a room, a homeowner should be able to handle the task.

Medium

When it comes to electrics and plumbing, a homeowner may consider hiring local, approved tradesmen to conduct the work safely.

Heavy

When it comes to demolishing walls and extending a property, then you may require hiring a recommended builder. However, significant works will undoubtedly require detailed architect plans that will have to be approved by the local authorities before a large-scale renovation can go ahead. In this case, it would be advisable to speak to your local planning authority to see if you require permission and the costs involved. As with all renovations of this nature, seek several quotes as prices could vary from builder to builder.

UK renovation industry

Britons love to get their properties modernised when it comes to renovations. But there is no one-size-fits-all budget or job. Take time to plan your renovations, what you require, and decide why you want to renovate. Meanwhile, here are renovation guides to help you plan the work, budget it and ideas for your renovation project.

Guides

• What is the difference between renovation and refurbishment. One is for small internal job, the other is used when structural changes take place.
• These Bathroom tips and checklist will help you get started with your project.
• What are the most important tools for home renovation. The ones you will find it hard to complete your work without.
• When starting your project should you get insurance? It can help you to protect if things go wrong.
• Every room contains skirting boards. So it is good to learn how to paint skirting boards.
• In what order should you renovate a house - A great organisation will help you run your project smoothly.
• Soft skills for management are important, learn how to project manage to have a successful job.
• Gas is getting expensive and what are the alternatives to gas? There are quite a few, some are pretty expensive, others are more viable options.

Cost to renovate

• To renovate a whole home it will cost you £38,000. A grade II listed house will cost you more.
• The average bathroom refurbishment is £4,500. If your current bathroom is completely rundown, there won't be much you can re-use to reduce the cost.
• When renovating a laundry room it will start from £994. If you want something fancy you are looking at £11,329.
• To do a staircase renovation, the cost will be £2000 and it is a good investment.
• When renovating a single room it will cost less than a whole house.

Ideas

• These ideas to renovate a home will help you to create a great house.
• When you are short on cash you need ideas on a budget that will work for your home.