No matter what time of year it is, there is always an opportunity to complete a refurbishment or renovation of your home. Whether you are re-doing a single room or looking to incorporate an extension or much bigger works, there are a variety of different points to consider to ensure your works run smoothly and that you are left with an end product you’re happy with.
We have collated a list of our favourite tips to consider for any refurbishment and we hope you find them useful.
- Stay Organised
It doesn’t matter what kind of project you are working on, whether it is related to home improvement or not, organisation is essential. From arranging works and timescales with third-party suppliers to purchasing your own materials and tools required to complete the job, stay on top of the essentials to prevent any unnecessary delays or problems whilst works are taking place. Always have a backup option too in case you need to rethink your plan.
- Choose Your Materials Wisely
Depending on the work that is being done you will need to carefully consider the materials you choose to use. If you’re looking to complete more internal works or want to look at a different option then you may want to look at different types of steel which have various advantageous properties such as durability, strength and weldability.
Take a look at various suppliers and consider the different options you have before purchasing. The suppliers should be able to advise you on which materials will be most suitable for your renovation works or extension.
- Safety Hazards
Safety is paramount when carrying out refurbishment works due to the many different safety hazards that could potentially arise. From ladders and dangerous equipment, you should consider all of the possible risks and prepare accordingly, to ensure your household is safe to work in. Particularly if you are carrying out the work yourself or with a family friend, a lot of the risks may not have been considered like they would have been when using a third party. Carrying out a basic risk assessment is always advisable, just to be safe.
- Planning Permission
When it comes to bigger renovations like extensions, you also need to think about planning permission. In some instances you will not need to apply for planning permission if your work doesn’t exceed the limits set out by permitted developer rights.
You will first need to find out whether your extension actually requires planning permission by contacting your local authority and council, who will be able to lay out the requirements that need to be met in order to achieve the permission to build. For big jobs like this it is key to plan ahead with this way in advance before you consider planning in any work. Once you have attained the right permissions you can go full steam ahead.
- Workmanship
Particularly for when you are using third-party suppliers to complete works, you want to make sure that you are working with a reputable company that will get the job done correctly for you and on time, with good workmanship.
If you’re working alongside a friend or it is a more casual agreement then just make sure there are clear boundaries set at the start of the project so everyone is on the same page from start to finish.
A refurbishment can often seem daunting or scary, particularly if you have owned your house for a long time or never had any works done, however, it is a great opportunity to improve your living space and be creative with new ideas. Happy refurbishing!
