Nothing is as perhaps as nerve wracking as taking a sledgehammer to what is likely to be your most valuable possession. Deciding to renovate your whole house is a brave but hugely rewarding project that can yield rewards in a multitude of ways.
The completed works can bring about significant changes that benefit you and your family, your interaction, the way you live together, adding quality to the time you spend together. And, lets not forget potentially adding a substantial increase in your property value!
Deciding to renovate rather than move is not without its pitfalls though so here are a few pointers as to what to consider when you approach your renovation project.
Planning
One of the first decisions to make is just how involved you wish to be? No doubt you will want to have your say over the look and feel, but will you also want to be involved in the hands on running of the project?
Will that even be possible if you are not in the same city or even the same country?
Scope of the Works
How far will you go? Is the project a cosmetic refurbishment freshening up with new colours etc. or are you going the whole hog and altering the very fabric and layout of the building?
Scheduling & Phasing
Do you intend to live in the house while the renovation goes on? If so it is vital to ensure that the scheduling and phasing of work is considered carefully to ensure that areas of the house remain habitable whilst others are being worked upon.
Expanding to accommodate a growing family? Does a certain room need to be ready by a “due date”.
Design Ideas
Do you need to be bang on trend? What’s going to be the next big thing?
You’ve seen a brilliant idea, but will it work in your home? Can you model it first?
Budget
How much do you want to spend?
How do you know your costings are correct?
How much do you need for a contingency should something unforeseen happen?
Contractors
Who do you trust? How do you avoid Messrs Bodgit & Scarper?
How do you know their quotes are accurate and fair?
Have you been able to view examples of their work?
Living with the work
How do you segregate working areas from “home living”. What to do when its just not possible?
Are you sure you are prepared for the disruption in your home?
Controlling the schedule & dealing with derailment
You live remotely to the project. How will you ensure that the works stay on track?
The works have been planned with minute detail, you’ve thought of everything.
Or so you think and then “Dave the Plumber” doesn’t turn up for a couple of days due to an emergency. The kitchen fit drops behind. How do you manage that? How do you ensure Dave gets back up to speed asap?
Tracking the cost
Whilst the works are on going, the world keeps on turning, prices change for products and services, spends increase.
Scope creeps, and “extra” costs escalate, can you keep tabs on spending by both the contractors and yourself to ensure the project doesn’t run out of cash before completion?
Signing Off – Finally the day comes!
The contractors believe they are ready to hand the job over. They’ve done everything that’s been asked of them. But what if something is missing or not completed to the expected standard. Are you experienced at this type of conflict resolution?
How will you achieve that state of mutual satisfaction with a job well done?
And relax!!! We’ve got you covered.
At Edge2, if you have, or are looking to buy a property in London to renovate, EDGE2 can help. We are boutique developers with over 30 years combined experience in renovating London properties. We provide a fully project managed service. We can help you get planning permission (even in conservation areas), produce 3D architect drawings and do all the work for you, using 100% in-house trades.
For more information, download our brochure here, or give Julian a call on +44(0)207 112 9081.
