Home Improvement Advice for Renovations

Do it Yourself Tips for Renovations

The best ways to renovate your home is through careful planning. Never, ever rush into DIY or expensive renovations, take time out to juggle various ideas around, once you have done it or paid for it to be done you will either have to live with it for quite some time or pay out to get things changed.

You can either do the job yourself using a DIY (do it yourself) guide or get the professional in to help and advise you.

If you are happy in the area you are living in and you like your neighbours, near the station, near the school, near the shops etc. it can be far more economical to renovate / adapt your existing home than to go through the stress of moving.

Once you have created your idea discuss it with a tradesman to see if they have more useful ideas and tips to help you; see if your idea is possible. It's always a good idea to get magazines, browse shops, go to exhibitions etc. to gather as much information as possible as to what's on offer.

Ask yourself what kind of effect you are hoping to create , olde worlde, modern, rustic, oriental, practical or luxurious are just a few examples. Do your existing windows, ceiling height and any other things that cannot be changed (or not without considerable expense) lend themselves to this particular idea?

Will the furniture that you need to buy to create the finished effect fit into the room? (you would be surprised how many people have ordered furniture that will not go through their doorways!)

Please be careful what building company you use, see our section on finding a builder. Always get more than one tradesperson to advise you / quote for the works.

If the works you are having carried out are on a large scale you should consult a surveyor. Remember, you may need planning permission for some renovations / adaptations (see our section on Planning Permission). However, if you have just moved into your home you should already have had a structural survey done, although, depending on the type of survey you had, another may be required.

You should also take into consideration that some renovations may require planning permission and building regulations, for example; a new roof covering. Your local council will be able to tell you whether or not you need any approvals, in there planning department.

There are many types of works you could have carried out throughout your home. Click on the section to the left for which room you will be renovating for advice.