Renovating your home can be incredibly exciting (as well as a little daunting) as you delve into the seemingly never-ending world of paint charts and flooring samples. Your mind will be full of colour combinations and textures, while Pinterest is likely to become your most visited site while looking for design inspiration.

However, it is important to keep your head when preparing to update your home and remember that there are a few really important factors that you need to consider. The points below give a little more information on some of the key things you need to ask yourself before the works get underway.

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Are you able to complete the work yourself?

Once you have decided exactly what it is that you would like to change about your home, one of the first things to consider is whether or not the proposed renovations are within your DIY scope.

If you are confident you have the necessary time and expertise to complete the work to a decent standard, then doing it yourself is certainly a great way to shave a decent chunk off your costs. However, if you’re in any doubt then getting in the professionals can often be the safest course of action.

Do you need permission?

This point is a particularly important one to get right. If you are making substantial exterior alterations to your property (for example adding an extension) then you are likely to need to seek approval from your local planning authority.

This can be a lengthy process that can take months, so make sure you put in the initial application in good time. This will ensure you don’t end up falling behind schedule before your works have even begun!

If the work you are doing is merely cosmetic, or will only be affecting the inside of your house, then you are unlikely to need planning permission. The only exception to this is listed buildings, for which you need listed building consent to make any alterations at all, no matter how small.

Have you prepared an accurate budget?

One of the major areas where people fall down when it comes to renovations is the planning of a budget. There is one firm fact that you can almost guarantee with renovations – whatever you plan to spend, the final project will end up costing more! Therefore, try to be realistic when budgeting so that you can have the best possible idea of what you will be spending – and always allow a little extra to be left over for those unexpected costs that you just couldn’t foresee.

Will your home insurance cover you?

Another important factor that many people don’t even think of when updating their home, is the effect that it can have on their insurance. Even the most minor works will count as renovations to your insurer (included repainting) so as soon as you have confirmed your works you will need to give your insurer a ring and let them know.

When you advise your insurer of your renovations, it may be the case that they are unable to continue their cover, due to the increased risk of damage to your property. Luckily, specialist companies such as CoverBuilder can provide cover for any scale of renovation, from a new bathroom to a double storey extension.

If you can tick all of these issues off the list, then you know you are ready to embark on your exciting new project. Remember, in addition to all of the above, plenty of before and after photos are a must-have with any renovation project!

HMH

By HMH