Home Renovation planning is up there with planning a wedding or starting a family. It doesn’t come without its stresses but you’ll never regret it and you’ll build memories (and a home) for a lifetime.

Having a timeline, step by step to home renovation is something the renovators we work with get such huge clarity from. It helps them to understand what’s required, how long it might take, and it’s useful for costing up projects.

You might be at different stages to others so we’ve split this timeline of a renovation into 4 phases:

Phase 1: Considering a renovation – you might be looking for a property to renovate currently, assessing options

Phase 2: Purchasing a renovation – you might have an accepted offer on a property, starting to plan your home renovation

Phase 3: Planning a renovation – you might already have the keys to your home renovation, either living there or not, and you’re planning which order to do work in

Phase 4: Renovating – maybe you’ve got contractors and builders already working on areas of your home renovation and you’re keen to clarify the order of events

No matter what stage you’re at, the first thing we must tell you is – no home renovation is the same. Houses and projects are all different, so with this, timelines will vary. But there is an ‘ideal’ or ‘typical’ step by step to planning a renovation which we’ll share below.

Phase 1

Phase 1 - Considering a renovation

This is an exciting phase. You’ve made your decision, and you are looking for the ideal property to renovate. For many, the increase in house prices makes buying a property to renovate a more attractive proposition. You get a property in the location you want, at a more reasonable price than you would a completed property, plus you get to put your stamp on it.

This phase usually comprises of the following:

Sell your existing property (if applicable)
Secure a mortgage
Calculate the sum you’ll need to renovate a property
Secure/allocate the funds to renovate a property
Organise house viewings
Place an offer, get it accepted

Phase 2 - Purchasing a renovation

Here’s where things start to get exciting. You’ve got an offer accepted on a house that has all the potential to be the home you’ve been looking for.

It’s exciting but it is a crucial phase in terms of budgeting and ensuring the sale goes through smoothly.

Appoint a solicitor to undergo conveyancing
Conduct a building survey and instruct any detailed surveys (asbestos survey, drainage survey, etc)
Start thinking about layout possibilities and potential structural changes (to inform potential costs)
Start thinking about design possibilities (to inform potential costs)
Begin drawing up detailed budgets

Phase 3 - Planning your renovation – where to start?

At this stage, you’ve got the keys to your renovation. Hooray!

We remember the day we moved into our home renovation. We looked around at the floral wallpaper, the giant storage heaters, and the cracked walls and thought… Sh*t! Where do we start?

Some days we even thought… Sh*t! Have we made a massive error doing this?!

Get the keys
Appoint an architect/technician/designer (if applicable) – our online course shares alternative methods to obtaining drawings that can be more cost effective
Firm up layout ideas
Confirm calculations with a structural engineer (if you’re adding or removing walls)
Submit final drawings for planning permission (if applicable) and building approval – don’t be phased by the complexity of this – we go into detail and demystify the whole process in our online course
Mood board your designs
Select kitchen/bathroom supplier or interior designer and work with them on design/layout
Get quotes in and choose a contractor
Confirm Lighting, Electrical, Heating design
Obtain home renovation insurance cover for the work
Prepare the site for work

Phase 4 - Let the Renovation commence!

Here’s where you see all of your hard work start to become a reality. It’s the dustiest phase of renovating with a lot of ups and downs. Crucial in this stage, is to hold tightly onto your design vision and costs being paid out, to assure you end up with an excellent finish within budget.

Build the foundations (if applicable)
Build/remove structural elements (Brickwork, roof, framing, removal of walls, installation of RSJs)
Install windows & external doors

There really is nothing quite like taking a dated house and turning it into your dream home. If this is something you’re about to embark on, then we’re so glad you’ve discovered us.

Yes, it’s a lot of hard work, but figuring out how to renovate a house will be easier with the free guides, tools, resources and online courses we’ve built here for you.

Property Contractors 247 are here to help you with your home renovation ideas! Submit your inquiry & get a free quote!