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10 Steps to Getting Your Renovation Completed on Time
Follow this guide to understand how long a renovation actually takes and to ensure your project doesn't run over
A home-renovation project can be a lengthy process. In fact, a really large job can even take up to two years to complete from the minute you make the decision to update your home until the last job is done. Follow these tips to help you break down the stages, and identify and handle critical issues to avoid unnecessary delays.
Apply for planning permission
If the proposed work to your home requires planning permission, you will need to make an application to the relevant local planning authority (building regulations is a separate matter and is usually dealt with by your builder). The planning permission process can take three months in total. Usually after two months you will receive your decision from the planning authority, followed by the final grant one month later. The planners can extend this time scale by looking for additional information.
If the proposed work to your home requires planning permission, you will need to make an application to the relevant local planning authority (building regulations is a separate matter and is usually dealt with by your builder). The planning permission process can take three months in total. Usually after two months you will receive your decision from the planning authority, followed by the final grant one month later. The planners can extend this time scale by looking for additional information.
Consider your neighbours
The planning timescale can be extended if there is an appeal by someone who has made an objection during the planning process. When this happens, the application will need to be given more consideration and might even have to go before a planning committee, which will prolong the process even further.
An architect or designer might be able to anticipate problems with planning and suggest ways to design your new space without infringing on the neighbours. It’s also advisable to keep your neighbours informed of your plans beforehand in order to discuss any objections before the planning process begins.
Discover key planning permission facts and how best to get approval
The planning timescale can be extended if there is an appeal by someone who has made an objection during the planning process. When this happens, the application will need to be given more consideration and might even have to go before a planning committee, which will prolong the process even further.
An architect or designer might be able to anticipate problems with planning and suggest ways to design your new space without infringing on the neighbours. It’s also advisable to keep your neighbours informed of your plans beforehand in order to discuss any objections before the planning process begins.
Discover key planning permission facts and how best to get approval
Be realistic about your budget
To ensure the process moves along quickly, it’s important to be open about your finances. There’s a misconception that telling an architect or designer how much you have to spend will result in you going over budget. This is absolutely not the case. In order to be able to advise you properly your architect or designer will need to know how much you have to spend – or how much you are comfortable spending. This is the only way they can guide you on how to invest your money to ensure you get the very best results for the budget you have.
All of the items on your wish list may not be achievable within your budget, so compromises might need to be made. These kinds of changes will prolong the design process.
To ensure the process moves along quickly, it’s important to be open about your finances. There’s a misconception that telling an architect or designer how much you have to spend will result in you going over budget. This is absolutely not the case. In order to be able to advise you properly your architect or designer will need to know how much you have to spend – or how much you are comfortable spending. This is the only way they can guide you on how to invest your money to ensure you get the very best results for the budget you have.
All of the items on your wish list may not be achievable within your budget, so compromises might need to be made. These kinds of changes will prolong the design process.
Begin the tendering process
Once you have your planning permission, you should start the tendering process. This is where a set of drawings and documents are prepared, which list everything you want to be included in your project. These are then sent out to a number of contractors to price. It’s important that you get a price from more than one builder to make sure that you are receiving a fair quote for the work. This process can take up to two months depending on the size of the project.
Once you have your planning permission, you should start the tendering process. This is where a set of drawings and documents are prepared, which list everything you want to be included in your project. These are then sent out to a number of contractors to price. It’s important that you get a price from more than one builder to make sure that you are receiving a fair quote for the work. This process can take up to two months depending on the size of the project.
Identify what is included
Once you have chosen your preferred contractor, arrange a meeting to go through the price that they have submitted before they start on site. During the meeting you must ensure that you are both absolutely clear about what is and isn’t included. You don’t want the job to start and then find out that things you assumed were part of the price had not been included. This would result in an additional cost and possible time delay while you try to resolve the issue.
Check out this guide to the hidden costs of a renovation project
Once you have chosen your preferred contractor, arrange a meeting to go through the price that they have submitted before they start on site. During the meeting you must ensure that you are both absolutely clear about what is and isn’t included. You don’t want the job to start and then find out that things you assumed were part of the price had not been included. This would result in an additional cost and possible time delay while you try to resolve the issue.
Check out this guide to the hidden costs of a renovation project
Know when decisions need to be made
Ask your contractor for a programme of works and suggest that they identify critical dates for any decisions that you will need to make. Sourcing kitchens, bathroom fittings, tiling and flooring do not typically form part of the builder’s work. They will need to be chosen by you and be ready for the builders to fit when they need them. Make these decisions early to ensure that the job runs without delays. It’s also important to agree a timeframe for the project, as well as a completion date.
Ask your contractor for a programme of works and suggest that they identify critical dates for any decisions that you will need to make. Sourcing kitchens, bathroom fittings, tiling and flooring do not typically form part of the builder’s work. They will need to be chosen by you and be ready for the builders to fit when they need them. Make these decisions early to ensure that the job runs without delays. It’s also important to agree a timeframe for the project, as well as a completion date.
Allow extra time for bespoke items
Specialist or bespoke items like custom-made, full-height doors will be on a longer lead time than standard off-the-shelf doors. It’s advisable to factor any bespoke items like this into the contractor’s programme, and make sure that you allow extra time for delivery.
Specialist or bespoke items like custom-made, full-height doors will be on a longer lead time than standard off-the-shelf doors. It’s advisable to factor any bespoke items like this into the contractor’s programme, and make sure that you allow extra time for delivery.
Order your windows early
Windows are typically on a long lead time – they can take anything from four to 12 weeks to deliver from the date the order is placed. It’s advisable to choose them as early as possible and to be clear on the estimated delivery date to ensure they will arrive when the contractor is ready for them. A delay on windows can seriously impact your project’s progress, as it means that the building cannot be sealed and made watertight. This will hold up plastering, tiling and the installation of any fixed furniture like kitchens or wardrobes.
Windows are typically on a long lead time – they can take anything from four to 12 weeks to deliver from the date the order is placed. It’s advisable to choose them as early as possible and to be clear on the estimated delivery date to ensure they will arrive when the contractor is ready for them. A delay on windows can seriously impact your project’s progress, as it means that the building cannot be sealed and made watertight. This will hold up plastering, tiling and the installation of any fixed furniture like kitchens or wardrobes.
Be aware of typical timescales
It’s a good idea to have an idea of how long projects usually take. This will give you a general guideline to work from. As a rule of thumb, a small project such as a bathroom refurbishment will typically take four to eight weeks to complete from the design stage to the finish, while a mid-sized job like a kitchen renovation will usually take eight to 12 weeks. A larger project, such as a house refurbishment and extension, can take from eight to 18 months from the time you get the ball rolling until the final snagging.
How have you managed to stick to your renovation’s timetable? Share your experiences and tips in the Comments below.
It’s a good idea to have an idea of how long projects usually take. This will give you a general guideline to work from. As a rule of thumb, a small project such as a bathroom refurbishment will typically take four to eight weeks to complete from the design stage to the finish, while a mid-sized job like a kitchen renovation will usually take eight to 12 weeks. A larger project, such as a house refurbishment and extension, can take from eight to 18 months from the time you get the ball rolling until the final snagging.
How have you managed to stick to your renovation’s timetable? Share your experiences and tips in the Comments below.
The first stage of any renovation project is the initial design process, where all options for achieving your brief are explored. How quickly this process moves along depends on how decisive you are and how well your design professional interprets your brief.
Sometimes people are reluctant to share their ideas in case it influences the architect’s or designer’s proposals. However, keeping your cards close to your chest can be counter-productive The more information you can give, the better the outcome will be. You know your home and will have ideas about how you want to change it. It’s important that you communicate these to your architect or designer, so that they can really understand what your vision is and offer a solution that best suits you.