9 Steps to a Stress-free Home Renovation
Follow these tips to ensure your project is as painless as possible
Denise O'Connor
25 February 2018
Denise holds a degree in architecture from Richview School of Architecture in UCD. After graduating in Dublin she moved to London where she worked on residential, healthcare and office schemes including the award-winning headquarters for Holiday Extras for which she was project architect at Walker and Martin. In 2005 she returned to Dublin and set up architecture and interior design consultancy Optimise Design.
Denise is an architecture and interiors columnist for the Irish Times and a contributor for HOUZZ. She is also a regular contributor to various other publications and also gives lectures on a range of topics. She was a presenter for the first series of the RTE TV show ‘The Design Doctors’ and is the creator and name behind the successful paint collection for Dulux called Signature...
Denise holds a degree in architecture from Richview School of Architecture in UCD.... More
Renovating your home can be a stressful process. Regardless of how big or small the project is, it will have an impact on you and your family. Dust, chaos and the invasion of tradespeople every morning can take its toll on even the most patient among us. However, with a little forward planning and good communication with your contractor, the process can become a lot more bearable.
Research your contractor
Do some research before selecting your contractor. Search on Houzz to find trusted professionals, read their customer reviews and take a look at their previous projects. If you’ve been given a recommendation from neighbours or friends, try to visit their homes to take a look at the type of work the contractor offers. Once you’ve found possible professionals, don’t forget to ask for references.
You want to be very confident your chosen contractor will be able to deliver the job to the standard you expect, on time and within budget. Building work is stressful enough without worrying that the team you’ve hired isn’t up to the job.
Do some research before selecting your contractor. Search on Houzz to find trusted professionals, read their customer reviews and take a look at their previous projects. If you’ve been given a recommendation from neighbours or friends, try to visit their homes to take a look at the type of work the contractor offers. Once you’ve found possible professionals, don’t forget to ask for references.
You want to be very confident your chosen contractor will be able to deliver the job to the standard you expect, on time and within budget. Building work is stressful enough without worrying that the team you’ve hired isn’t up to the job.
Get a programme of works
Before the builders start, ask them to provide a programme of works, so you know what to expect. For example, try to find out when you’re likely to be without power or water and for how long. Establish which areas of the house are off-limits, and discuss issues such as bathroom facilities, parking, hours of work and the impact on neighbours.
Find ingenious ideas for maxing the height of your rear extension
Before the builders start, ask them to provide a programme of works, so you know what to expect. For example, try to find out when you’re likely to be without power or water and for how long. Establish which areas of the house are off-limits, and discuss issues such as bathroom facilities, parking, hours of work and the impact on neighbours.
Find ingenious ideas for maxing the height of your rear extension
Schedule to suit your family
Plan the works to suit your household. For example, it might make more sense to schedule the renovation over the summer, when you might have planned to be away. Consider things such as exams or children needing to study, or other events where the disruption of builders might not be ideal.
Plan the works to suit your household. For example, it might make more sense to schedule the renovation over the summer, when you might have planned to be away. Consider things such as exams or children needing to study, or other events where the disruption of builders might not be ideal.
Vacate the property for a while if you can
If your renovation is quite extensive, the ideal solution is to move to temporary accommodation. However, renting can be costly and it’s difficult to find short-term lets.
If you can’t move out, try to take a holiday during the worst part of the works. This will make life a lot easier for everyone. Speak to your contractor before the job starts, so you can schedule to be out of the house – even if you just stay with friends – for the most disruptive part of the project.
If your renovation is quite extensive, the ideal solution is to move to temporary accommodation. However, renting can be costly and it’s difficult to find short-term lets.
If you can’t move out, try to take a holiday during the worst part of the works. This will make life a lot easier for everyone. Speak to your contractor before the job starts, so you can schedule to be out of the house – even if you just stay with friends – for the most disruptive part of the project.
Make all of your decisions before the work starts
Once the builder starts on site, things can move very quickly. You’ll need to make a lot of decisions in a short period of time and, unless you have the answers, you could face delays, extra expense and a lot of stress.
It’s important to choose any fixtures, fittings or finishes the builder will need to keep the project moving well in advance of the work starting. By having your sanitaryware, windows and tiles chosen early, you won’t feel under pressure to make hasty decisions.
Once the builder starts on site, things can move very quickly. You’ll need to make a lot of decisions in a short period of time and, unless you have the answers, you could face delays, extra expense and a lot of stress.
It’s important to choose any fixtures, fittings or finishes the builder will need to keep the project moving well in advance of the work starting. By having your sanitaryware, windows and tiles chosen early, you won’t feel under pressure to make hasty decisions.
Be upfront about your plans
Some contractors prefer a vacant property, so if you work from home, are in with kids or retired, for example, it’s best to let the builder know. While the works are going on, make a plan with your contractor to section off an area where you can retreat to for a break from the chaos. Most contractors will be able to set you up with some sort of sink and cooking area, which you may have to move around.
However careful and considerate your builders are, there will be dust and disruption. Try to keep on top of dust in the areas where you sleep and cook by closing doors and wiping down each day.
Some contractors prefer a vacant property, so if you work from home, are in with kids or retired, for example, it’s best to let the builder know. While the works are going on, make a plan with your contractor to section off an area where you can retreat to for a break from the chaos. Most contractors will be able to set you up with some sort of sink and cooking area, which you may have to move around.
However careful and considerate your builders are, there will be dust and disruption. Try to keep on top of dust in the areas where you sleep and cook by closing doors and wiping down each day.
Clear out your home
Before the contractor starts, you’ll need to ensure the areas in which they’ll be working are completely clear. Empty your cupboards, move out all furniture, and remove artwork, curtains and blinds. You can either put everything in storage, or move it to a room that’s not being worked on. Cover everything else with plastic sheeting, and shut, then seal any rooms not in use with tape.
Most contractors will be happy to help you move large items of furniture, but be realistic about what they’ll move for you. If you’re planning to leave large items in the room, bear in mind that while they’ll be happy to work around certain things if they have to, it will slow them down. The best strategy is to talk to your contractor first and come up with a solution that works best for all parties.
Before the contractor starts, you’ll need to ensure the areas in which they’ll be working are completely clear. Empty your cupboards, move out all furniture, and remove artwork, curtains and blinds. You can either put everything in storage, or move it to a room that’s not being worked on. Cover everything else with plastic sheeting, and shut, then seal any rooms not in use with tape.
Most contractors will be happy to help you move large items of furniture, but be realistic about what they’ll move for you. If you’re planning to leave large items in the room, bear in mind that while they’ll be happy to work around certain things if they have to, it will slow them down. The best strategy is to talk to your contractor first and come up with a solution that works best for all parties.
Talk to your neighbours
If anything is going to cause you stress, it’s a fence war. To avoid this kind of conflict, it’s really important to keep your neighbours informed about anything that might affect them. Let’s face it, they will have to put up with a lot of noise and disruption while the work is going on.
Alleviate any fears by discussing your plans with your next door neighbours – make them aware of the start date and the agreed finish date. And if issues do arise, deal with them immediately and try to come to a mutually satisfactory solution.
If anything is going to cause you stress, it’s a fence war. To avoid this kind of conflict, it’s really important to keep your neighbours informed about anything that might affect them. Let’s face it, they will have to put up with a lot of noise and disruption while the work is going on.
Alleviate any fears by discussing your plans with your next door neighbours – make them aware of the start date and the agreed finish date. And if issues do arise, deal with them immediately and try to come to a mutually satisfactory solution.
Set aside a contingency
Money worries are a sure source of stress. To avoid this, it’s vital you keep track of your budget while the works are underway. It’s especially important that you set aside a contingency for any unforeseen items that might arise; 10% of the total cost is a good benchmark for how much to put away.
If you own a period property, you’ll need to factor in a little more, as the likelihood of uncovering issues is higher with older houses. For a period home, somewhere between 15% and 20% is appropriate.
Discover inspiring ideas for Victorian homes from our Houzz Tours
Tell us…
Are you feeling anxious about your renovation project? Did you find these tips useful? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Money worries are a sure source of stress. To avoid this, it’s vital you keep track of your budget while the works are underway. It’s especially important that you set aside a contingency for any unforeseen items that might arise; 10% of the total cost is a good benchmark for how much to put away.
If you own a period property, you’ll need to factor in a little more, as the likelihood of uncovering issues is higher with older houses. For a period home, somewhere between 15% and 20% is appropriate.
Discover inspiring ideas for Victorian homes from our Houzz Tours
Tell us…
Are you feeling anxious about your renovation project? Did you find these tips useful? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Renovating
The Back-to-Basics Interior Design Rules Everyone Should Know
Revamp and decorate your home like a pro with these essential tips
Full Story
Budgeting
Where to Spend and How to Save When Designing Your Kitchen
Follow these tips to achieve a kitchen that looks great, functions impeccably and comes in on budget
Full Story
Budgeting
These 8 Golden Rules Will Keep Your Renovation on Budget
Avoid the mistake of overspending on your project by paying attention to these budgeting essentials
Full Story
Decorating
Recognise these? 5 Common Side Effects of Doing a Renovation
If you have the builders or decorators in, you may end up suffering from one or more of these issues
Full Story
Property
9 Ways to Declutter And Organise Before a Home Renovation
By Hannah Young
Planning, decluttering and organising at the outset of your project will prepare the way for a successful outcome
Full Story
Most Popular
5 Ingenious Ideas for Maxing the Height of Your Rear Extension
By Kate Burt
The home-enhancing powers of going higher than one storey are significant. Check out these tall ideas
Full Story
Most Popular
Sliding Pocket Door Ideas You're Going to Love
Considering a sliding door in your home? Take a look at these hardworking examples
Full Story
Most Popular
A Beginner's Guide to Kitchen Extensions
By Hugo Tugman
Add-ons giving larger, more open kitchen spaces with loads of light and great garden views are transforming homes
Full Story
Property
Top Tips for Working Successfully with an Architect
By Eva Byrne
Maximise the magic an architect can bring to your home design project with this essential guide
Full Story
Our tradesmen were a great bunch of guys. We left the fridge plugged in (it was free standing at the time) filled it with bottles of water milk etc. I suggested some beers too but the boss guy laughed and said probably not a good idea (although would've been welcome at the end of the day I'm sure) we were amazed at how much cleaning stuff they got through too! All my cleaning materials and cloths were used, mop and broom heads gone, bucket wrecked. But when we had got back after 3 weeks away, everything had been replaced with new and a thorough clean up job had been done throughout our flat (We had all the floors ripped up and tiled throughout plus a new fitted kitchen)
A great deal of sensible advice here. Keeping money back for emergencies is a must! We over ran on our budget slightly due to uneven floors which had to be screeded before tiling and one wall in the kitchen had to be re done It wasn't too much but we had not factored that problem into our budget. Will remember next time. Always allow for something else that might have to be done.
How to decide between two builders and how to let one down?