Renovating a property is one of the most exciting projects a homeowner can undertake. Whether you are updating an old Victorian terrace, restoring a mid-century semi, or modernizing a detached house, renovation allows you to design a home tailored to your lifestyle. However, without a clear, logical plan, renovations can easily overrun their budgets and timelines.
In this step-by-step planning guide, we outline how to structure your house renovation from initial concept design to final paint finishes, and explain how to hire vetted builders on GetBuilder.
Phase 1: Planning and design (Months 1 - 3)
Before picking up a sledgehammer, you must invest time in research and planning. Planning mistakes are cheap to fix on paper, but extremely expensive once bricklaying has started:
- Establish your goals: Create a detailed brief. What problems are you trying to solve? Do you need more physical space (requiring a loft conversion or extension), or a better layout (requiring knocking through walls)?
- Hire professionals: For major extensions, loft conversions, or structural modifications, hire an architect to draw up 2D layouts and a structural engineer to calculate load-bearing beam sizes.
- Verify planning rules: Check if your project falls under Permitted Development rights. If you need full planning permission, factor in 8 to 12 weeks for your local council to review and approve the plans.
Phase 2: Budgeting and contingency (Month 4)
- Get capped quotes: Share your structural plans with at least three vetted builders on GetBuilder to compare written estimates. Ensure quotes break down labor, materials, waste skip hire, and VAT.
- Contingency Fund (10% - 15%): Always set aside a cash buffer. When you open up walls in old properties, you will inevitably discover hidden problems like damp, rotted joists, or substandard wiring that must be fixed to pass building control.
Phase 3: The structural sequence of work (Months 5+)
A successful renovation follows a strict, logical physical order to prevent new work from being damaged by subsequent stages:
- Demolition and strip-out: Removing old plasterboards, knocking down walls, and clearing out skips.
- Damp proofing & structural repairs: Installing a new DPC (Damp Proof Course), reinforcing floor joists, and placing structural steel beams (RSJs).
- First Fix (Plumbing & Electrical): Running new copper water lines, boiler pipes, waste pipes, and electrical cables inside stud walls and under floorboards.
- Plastering: Boarding ceilings and walls, and applying a smooth plaster skim coat. This needs 3 to 7 days to dry completely before decoration.
- Second Fix (Fittings & Power): Fitting sockets, switches, light fixtures, radiators, and installing the bathroom suite and kitchen units.
- Decoration & Flooring: Painting ceilings and walls, laying carpets or laminate wood, and fitting skirting boards.
[!IMPORTANT] First Fix vs. Second Fix: Do not attempt to lay fine flooring or paint walls before first-fix plumbing and electrical are completed. Rerouting pipes later requires tearing up new floorboards and cutting holes in fresh plaster, doubling your costs.
Connect with vetted builders on GetBuilder
Managing a house renovation requires coordination across multiple trades (builders, plumbers, electricians, plasterers, and painters). Hiring a professional main contractor can save you significant stress by managing the timeline and sub-contractors for you.
With GetBuilder, you can safely connect with qualified local builders:
- Post your requirements: Upload your plans, project scope, and location for free on GetBuilder.
- Compare trade profiles: Match with local builders checked for active trade credentials and reviews.
- Compare written quotes: Receive detailed written estimates from local professionals with zero success fees.
