From updating your kitchen to overhauling your garden and putting in a luxe new bathroom to fixing an entirely new roof, there is a range of exciting ways to upgrade your home, while adding value and also creating a plush environment for you to live in too.
The pandemic pushed home renovation spends up by 36 per cent (according to a survey conducted by Houzz and Home), which is no surprise seeing as we were all forced to stare at our four walls for much longer than any other typical time in our lives. The extra time no doubt resulted in many musings over what could be improved upon while being well utilised by those waiting for some spare time to actually get some work done. And while lockdowns are no more, the desire to redecorate or plan in larger scale renovations certainly hasn’t dissipated.
If you’re planning in some ways to give your property the upgrade it deserves, then there are plenty of ways in which you can make it not only a more desirable place to reside in, but also hopefully add some value too – an important point if moving is on the cards at some point down the line.
We take a look at some of the more important home renovations you can make and how to ensure you do it right the first time.
Getting it right – planning, budgeting and professionals
When planning in any major home renovation, the three most important factors to keep in mind are – planning, budgeting, and finding the right workers who will complete the task to an excellent standard.
You will want to gather a selection of highly skilled and experienced tradespeople who come with reliable recommendations, and whether you’re searching online for ‘roofers near me’ or have a solid recommendation for a builder from a friend, make sure you and your professionals are on the same page with your project from the outset. It also pays to have one person managing the whole project as well as one contact from your home to liaise in order to keep things as streamlined as possible.
The roofers, builders, carpenters, plumbers, gardeners etc that you hire should be able to offer guidance on your project, after all, this is their full-time job, while reliability and good communication is key. Talk through your plans and budget, get a timeline (understand that this is flexible if the project depends on good weather and multiple workers), accept advice and have everything planned well before work begins.
It will also pay to look into any government funded grants, as a part of the green initiative to reduce carbon emissions, that you may be able to utilise in your upgrades. In the past there has been help with solar panels and heating and now there are government window grants that you could be eligible for, so be sure to do your research for any works you have coming up.
Make sure all crucial decisions have been made, any planning permission sought, and all items that you’re sourcing have arrived in advance and your big home project will have more of a chance of being completed without a hitch.
Popular home renovations
So, what big plans do you have for your home? We take a look at some of the more popular home renovations you can undertake below.
A new roof
Not only providing you with an aesthetically pleasing upgrade, but leaving you safe in the knowledge that you’ll be free of leaks and other issues for an extended time with a long guarantee, replacing your roof may not be the first renovation that springs to mind, but with the ability to add a potential 63 per cent return on investment if you sell up and move on, it seems like a pretty good project to consider. A good roofer will come with recommendations, experience, and ideally be a member of a nationally recognised trade organisation, while putting safety at a premium.
Extension
A single or double extension can greatly increase space inside your home, something which will always be of benefit to you and those in your household. Many people choose to tie this in with a kitchen renovation on the lower level, something which is said to add around a 50 per cent return on investment, while upstairs, an extra room to be used as a bedroom, in addition to a new bathroom, will always be beneficial to a homeowner.
Garden
A shabby stretch of lawn surrounded by a questionable bed of plants and perhaps a small patio area that has seen better days, a garden makeover is a popular renovation, and is said to expect somewhere in the region of an 88 per cent return on investment. Quite the impressive figure, especially if you design a garden (or get the professionals to do this for you) that has the wow factor.
