If you’re looking to make your home better suited to your needs and the quality of life that you want, then you might start planning a home renovation. These projects can get more complex than you might think, however, and if you’re not careful, you can totally miss some aspects of planning that can result in incomplete work or higher costs down the line. Here, we’ll look at some of the moving parts you want to make sure you don’t miss.
Planning Permissions And Regulations
Before you start any work on the home, you should ensure that you’re legally allowed to. You might need approvals for structural changes, extensions, aesthetic alterations, or any changes to your utilities. If you don’t comply, it can lead to fines, delays, or problems when trying to sell the property in the future. The permissions or approvals you might need could depend on where you’re living, so start with your local authority first.
Switching Up Your Utilities
If you’re greatly changing the layout of a room, you might need to adjust the utilities throughout the home. New lighting or power sockets might require a lot of electrical work, for instance. Any new water-based appliances in the bathroom or kitchen are going to need the help of plumbers to hook up to your mains. This is especially true if you’re moving them to a different part of the room.
Ventilation, Air Quality, And Moisture Control
Any room that sees moisture, heat, and humidity, such as the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry area, is going to need effective ventilation to prevent the buildup of condensation. Otherwise, you can run into mould and other long-term damage quite easily. You need to plan the airflow of the area, including extractor fans, which may need to be moved or installed directly above the greatest sources of humidity. Moisture resistance should also be considered for any materials you’re choosing for the room.
Energy Efficiency Needs
One potential upgrade people tend to miss is that a renovation can be a great opportunity to make a more energy-efficient space. You can improve your insulation, upgrade your windows, or opt for energy-saving appliances. This is especially true for highly practical rooms like the kitchen or your home office. Spending a little extra now can result in big energy bill savings over the years.
The Renovation Waste
Renovations can generate a lot more rubbish than you might think. This can include materials, fixtures, and appliances that you’re ripping out to replace, as well as packaging for new materials or goods, and expended tools or supplies throughout the construction process. Make sure that you have the right waste removal services engaged to clear it out, or else you can end up with a tip in your yard until you get around to tidying it.
Take your time to fully think out what you want with a renovation, and consider every aspect of the room by looking at it as it is, now, and thinking about how you might and or need to change it.