7 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Renovated My Home

This topic is, of course, rather vast. In 2018-2019 my husband and I took on the intimidating task of renovating our cottage from a bare, tired, ex-rental property, to (hopefully) a character and charming sanctuary. The list of tips and tricks that could generated from this experience is a lengthy one! However, this quick guide is here to simply outline some of the basics that can be addressed when you first take on that daunting project; tips that apply right at the start, before you start scouring paint codes and choosing bathroom towel colours.

There is a fairly frustrating period in a home renovation project where you're stuck in a cloud of constant dust, bare floorboards all around, where exposed pipework and fresh plaster haunt your every dream. Your waking moments are spent in PPE, hair dusted lightly with what you hope is building debris rather than cobwebs, and, rather gruesomely, your nearest latrine is an old bucket. This is the 'first fit' stage, where the plumbing, wiring and room layout changes are the focus. The following tips are relevant to this particular phase. It can be easy to miss things at this point if you're new to the renovation game and it can sometimes only be once you have started to really use the house as a home that you realise what your needs truly are or were. For this reason, it is important to consider the following:

1. Where should you place light switches and plug sockets? This can seem very obvious; you'd require a certain number in each room, usually at the same expected level on the wall. However, what we came to realise is that you might need more 2-way switches than you'd expect, i.e. switches in different locations that operate the same light. You may enter a room through one door and exit via another, wanting to switch a light on in one place, and off in another. Additionally, you may require plug sockets in locations that wouldn't first spring to mind; think higher level sockets to accommodate wall mounted TVs or speakers. You may need extra sockets for areas where you might eventually place a sideboard or console table. The issue with not considering just how many switches and sockets you might need in the first fit, is that it is a messy and inconvenient task to fit them retrospectively without using 'boxing in' methods. New wiring requires channelling walls, re-plastering and re-painting.

2. Can Windows and Doors really stay in place until a later date? It can be tempting to 'make do' with existing windows and doors due to the fact that their replacement can be a huge added expense on top of an already strained renovation budget. However, if it could be financially viable, it can be a wise move to make the change in these early stages. Two problems with making do with ineffective and inadequate windows and doors are: a) poor ventilation or damp can cause mould and actually be detrimental to the décor work you're about to embark on, and b) replacing windows and doors further down the line can cause damage to both internal and external décor, despite the best efforts of the fitter.

3. How do you really want to use your rooms? The first fit is the time to change Room Layout or extend. It is easier and cheaper to leave rooms as you find them, simply putting your new paint on the walls and moving your furniture in to what is a pre-designated space. However, this is the time to really entertain whether you do need an open-plan space, an extension, bi-fold doors etc. It can be a major disruption to change these aspects of a property at a later date.

   

4. Do you wish to incorporate bonus features? Additions such as Underfloor Heating, Renewable Energy Systems, or Wall Insulation are all added features that may not be staple to a standard house renovation. They are features that we might consider if budget allowed and if the opportunities arose. However, it is important to consider these at the first fit stage of a property renovation as it is at this point that making these particular changes or purchases can be most cost-effective and least disruptive.

5. Is it worth doing it all yourself? The DIY vs Professional debate is ongoing and there are many pros and cons for each approach. Notably, in our cottage renovation, we actually thoroughly enjoyed many of the DIY tasks we took on due to the huge sense of pride and accomplishment they gave, and not to mention the cost-saving it provided! However, it is important at first fit stage to recognise that a lot of the work required in this phase is very specialist. It can actually cause greater cost at a later date if you choose to take on a task yourself if you are not particularly skilled at in. It can lead to jobs taking longer or having to be repeated. Tasks we recognised needed specialist attention were plumbing, wiring, plastering and extension building. We simply would not have been able to complete these tasks well enough to prevent future disaster.

6. Are you going down an Overspending rabbit-hole? It can be so tempting to go hell-for-leather with a project of this scale. You want everything perfect immediately! However, this can lead to the easy issue of overspending. It is important to budget and note down your expenditure to keep a solid track on things, taking into account the priorities and the required (not desired) timeframe for completion. Take on DIY jobs where possible (according to the principles of point 5 above), source materials carefully, and don't rush or panic-buy.

   

7. Are you thinking about function? You likely are considering many things in this process. It is an overwhelming task to take on the reinvention of a property to make it work exactly to your needs and tastes. Sometimes simple things can easily be overlooked and often we get so carried away with 'form', that 'function' can be missed. Specifically I feel it is important to mention storage. Not all homes are built with ready made areas or cupboards to house our miscellaneous items, but when we see one that does we really do marvel at those clever uses of space. The first fit phase is a great place to consider storage. Could new cupboards be squeezed in? Could a staircase offer useful space underneath? Can I use clever kitchen mechanics? Will fitted units be added later? It's useful to consider these during the building phase as they can be messy to add in further down the line.

   
   

   Anyone who has undertaken this sort of labour of love undoubtedly has many moments of reflection on the whole project. Frankly, it is often a process fraught with stress and exhaustion, and it is almost impossible to perfect every single aspect of a renovation under these conditions. Using these 7 tips will hopefully help to prevent any unnecessary heartache further down the line and help get plans straight before heading off to your local Farrow & Ball designer!