Renovation is the process of improving a home. It either can be a small improvement or a large one. It relates to bringing something, like a bedroom, bathroom or kitchen, back to life or given a fresh lease of life through structural work, painting or the addition of soft furnishings to make the room modern and functional again.
When it comes to renovation, the reasons can be multiple, but they generally fall into three categories:
Homeowners will often want to renovate their homes to add value to the price of their property whenever they come to re-sell it.
As their needs change, homeowners may consider changing their homes. These can include renovations of rooms to become more useful in the house's overall footprint or require a makeover that brings parts of the home up to modern living standards. These include walls being knocked down for more open-style living or putting up walls to add rooms. For many, though, the main focus will be bringing kitchens and bathrooms up to scratch.
To reduce a spike in energy bills, homeowners may well look to renovate to make their homes more energy-efficient, green or sustainable.
Whether it is for comfort, aesthetics, energy efficiency or something more radical, the types of renovation can be many and various or simply essential.
These can include upgrading heating and ventilation, giving a chic look to a bathroom, enhancing capacity in the footprint, upgrading plumbing and electrical needs, or more complex requirements such as soundproofing, waterproofing or improving heat and energy efficiencies.
Renovation can cover projects from a house extension to a loft conversion to a complete refurb or repurposing a room to be converted into an ensuite.
For many householders, the term renovation can be defined in three ways:
For works such as repainting a room, a homeowner should be able to handle the task.
When it comes to electrics and plumbing, a homeowner may consider hiring local, approved tradesmen to conduct the work safely.
When it comes to demolishing walls and extending a property, then you may require hiring a recommended builder. However, significant works will undoubtedly require detailed architect plans that will have to be approved by the local authorities before a large-scale renovation can go ahead. In this case, it would be advisable to speak to your local planning authority to see if you require permission and the costs involved. As with all renovations of this nature, seek several quotes as prices could vary from builder to builder.
Britons love to get their properties modernized when it comes to renovations. But there is no one-size-fits-all budget or job. Take time to plan your renovations, what you require, and decide why you want to renovate. Meanwhile, here are renovation guides to help you plan the work, budget it and ideas for your renovation project.