House Renovations

The key to a successful domestic renovation is preparedness, meaning the first step in any house renovation project should consist of an effective and detailed planning process, during which all work to be completed, alongside an approximate timeline should be established. As with most pre-construction work, any relevant surveys and investigatory work should be undertaken, and permissions to be applied for should be noted for review.

After all initial elements of the project have been reviewed, considered, and listed, your first draft of a realistic budget should be established. This budget should allow for all relevant applications, building materials, labour, and additional elements such as finishings. In addition, a 10% leeway should be incorporated in order to cover any additional outgoings. This first draft can be used as a guideline for project proposals and quotes, but may be face proposed alterations in line with the plans and cost breakdowns of individual contractors.

Home renovation projects are relatively individualised, with many featuring entirely bespoke elements unique to the property or client’s requirements. Resultantly, the cost of renovation projects across the UK varies significantly in accordance with the scope, scale and complexity of projects undertaken, alongside the contractor hired, and materials used.

Despite this large variation in project type and cost, Check a Trade reports that the average cost of renovating a 3-bed house in England was between £38,000 and £74,000.

At M Jarrald Construction, we understand the importance of your renovation budget. That’s why we provide an extensive quote and project proposal outlining all costs upfront and offer an adjustment period prior to the production of a final quote. During this period, our team will work to align our services and prices with your project and budget. To discuss arranging a quotation for your renovation project, get in touch with the M Jarrald team online or in our Hadleigh High Street office today.

Home renovations are unique by nature and generally completed on a bespoke basis in line with the requirements of both a property and a client. For this reason, there’s no definitive answer for how much a renovation increases the value of your home. However, recent reports by Property Price Advice suggest that some of the most valuable renovation services include cellar conversions, garage conversions, and loft conversions, which can increase your home’s value by between 15 and 30% in England.

With this being said, those looking to renovate their property with the sole intent of increasing value for sale should take into consideration their ceiling price; the maximum price a buyer will spend for a property in their location. Individuals looking to renovate a property approaching or already at its ceiling price should not expect renovations to add an exceeding amount of value, but may still enjoy the breath of fresh air renovation can offer.

There’s no set guideline or standard as to when you should remodel your bathroom, however, it’s reported that the average homeowner makes the decision to undergo bathroom renovations approximately every 5-10 years. Common reasons for this decision include changing colour and design trends, the appearance of significant wear and tear as a result of moisture and heavy use, or damage caused by broken or leaking appliances.

Those undecided about whether or not they should renovate their bathroom often find the following questions helpful:

1. Is your bathroom functioning as intended? Does the storage situation and layout allow you to use the space to its full potential?

2. Is there damage to the space or appliances that impede its use?

3. Are you happy with the bathroom’s current decor?

If your answer to any of the above is no, it may be worth considering a bathroom remodel or renovation.

Renovation projects requiring approval or permissions are not consistent across the country, with variations present between local councils. For this reason, it’s essential to check your regional regulations, or contact an expert for guidance prior to proceeding with the submission of any renovation plans.

As a general rule, internal renovation projects don’t tend to require permissions with the exception of those including structural alterations, whilst the majority of external renovations do. External projects typically requiring planning permission include extensions, additional building work, excavation and filling, tanks, garages, decks, gates, and fencing.

Additional restrictions may apply to specific buildings or locations. This includes listed buildings, which typically require permission for all alterations.