Costs & Considerations :The Home Renovation Rulebook
Looking to embark on a home renovation journey? Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced homeowner, help is at hand. Here’s how to approach home renovation the right way.
Average Cost to Renovate a House
If you’re wondering how much it costs to renovate a house in the UK, the answer will differ depending on factors such as size and what you want for your renovation. However, as a rough guide, you’ll probably be looking at anywhere between £43,000 to £110,000 for a standard 3-bed abode. House renovation costs per m2 in the UK cover a wide spectrum, ranging from just £300 to £1600.
Flat Renovation Cost
For a flat, the cost will be significantly brought down, as these properties are often smaller with fewer structural changes needed – a basic flat renovation will usually be between £15,000 and £20,000 in the UK.
What to Consider When You’re Renovating
Type of Property
In the realm of house renovation, everything starts with understanding the type of property you’re dealing with. Living in a large listed building? Cosying up in a one-bed bungalow? Whatever you want to renovate, begin by getting to grips with the challenges that lie ahead.
A lot of this comes down to how old the property is. More historic buildings may require preservation techniques in order to keep ageing structures intact, while modern builds will usually offer you more flexibility with your design approach. Consider the age of your property first – the style, structural integrity, layout, zoning regulations, and general property condition will be easier to follow, allowing you to understand the scale of your project at a deeper level.
Scale of Project
This brings us to step two: what is the scale of your renovation project? A minor refresh might mean a few tweaks, less costs and a shorter timescale, while a complete overhaul will require a lot more time and thought put into it.
The difference here lies in the structural changes – bigger projects and complete remodels will demand meticulous planning and research, compared to the cosmetic updates or minor repairs of small-scale renovations. If you’re suddenly feeling like you’ve got a lot on your plate, don’t panic – precise planning and careful consideration is key here. Assessing your situation early on will help you set realistic expectations, and avoid any road bumps or unexpected costs down the line.
Budgeting & Finances
Looking to renovate a house without breaking the bank? When it comes to house refurbishment costs, there are ways to keep your costs down without scrimping on quality – you just have to budget wisely.
This is where the first few steps are essential – planning out exactly what needs doing and when is the only way to truly familiarise yourself with what you should expect to spend. If you land on a number that sits well outside the realm of what you’re able to spend, it’s not the end of your renovation journey – sit down and assess where you can cut costs, and seek professional help for guidance if you’re stuck on how to save.
We always recommend allowing for a buffer zone of 30% when calculating your budget. Even if you don’t end up going over what you set out to spend, this is going to come in really handy down the line if you encounter any unexpected costs or sudden work that needs doing. Save yourself the headache later, and prepare for surprises – your bank account will thank you.
Builders & Contractors
The backbone of any home renovation: builders and contractors. This is where research is key, as who you choose to go with will determine the success of your refurbishment endeavour. Have a look at the track record of each contractor you speak with – how have other people found the experience of working with them? Have they worked on properties similar to the one you’re looking to renovate? Seek recommendations, read reviews, and request quotes where you can in order to get a full picture of the person you’re considering.
This is also where your budgeting comes into play – you need to be able to communicate what you’re looking to spend with honesty and transparency, ensuring everyone is on the same page prior to any work being done. Cover timelines, costs and expectations, and don’t hold back when describing what it is you really want for your home. Whether it’s a small-scale project or a major overhaul, sourcing skilled and straightforward contractors is the way to turn your vision into a reality.
Will You Use an Architect?
Beyond the realm of builders and contractors lies another option to consider: will you use an architect in your home renovation? This will likely be for those of you looking for a complete overhaul of their home. Large-scale projects might require the expert eye of a professional architect to step in and offer their assistance, as they will be able to lend their skilled sense of design, functionality, and building regulations to the project.
This isn’t to say there’s a definite need for a bigger renovation, but the extra pair of hands will definitely be useful in refining your vision, optimising the space, and navigating the complexities of planning permission and permit processes. Especially if you’ve got any structural changes in mind, an architect’s input will prove invaluable throughout the project.
However, for smaller-scale work, you probably won’t need to worry about hiring the help – and the extra costs might not be worth it. Consider your budget and what exactly it is you want to bring to life, and weigh up the decision from there.
Planning Permission
Once you have your vision in place, your budget locked in, and your contractors sorted, it’s time to approach the legalities. Planning permission is a crucial step in the renovation journey if you’ve got any larger-scale works in mind, and navigating the complexities of the finer details may require a bit of outside support, especially if this is your first renovation project.
If you’re not sure what planning permission is, it’s essentially the process of seeking approval from the local authorities on any structural or integral work you’re planning to do on a property. Whether you actually need it will depend on the scale and nature of your renovation – do your research into zoning regulations, building codes, and historic preservation guidelines to ensure complete compliance. If you don’t sort these things out early on, you could be looking at hefty fines down the line, or even delays or undoings of work.
Surveys
An essential part of the home renovation toolkit: the structural survey. This step provides crucial insights into a property’s condition, including any potential challenges you might find along the way. Make sure you get this done in order to assess the integrity of the building you’re working with and identify any issues that might need sorting out, such as subsidence or dampness.
Topographical surveys will also assist in mapping out the local area, highlighting any features such as boundaries and elevation changes that you’ll have to take into account for larger-scale renovations. Energy performance surveys will also be key here, as these will inform your decisions on insulation and heating systems if you’re making any structural changes. Armed with this, you can proceed with confidence, safe in the knowledge of what you can and can’t do, and how much each process will cost.
Are you a homeowner wanting to bring your own home renovation vision to life? Our friendly team of Bath locals is here to help. Whether you’re looking to rent, buy, sell, or invest, our trusted lettings and estate agents are here to make your search quick, easy, and stress-free. Reach out to make your dreams a reality in the stunning historic city of Bath.
