North Hampshire Lifestyle Jan - Feb 2023

Renovation
DO’S AND DON’TS
wayfair.co.uk
If you’ve ever taken on a renovation project, you’ll
know that decision fatigue can set in quickly
and mistakes can be made - here are some do’s
and don’ts if you’re about to embark on a home
renovation project...
DO think about your family’s
lifestyle
When considering renovation, the best
advice is to think about the people in
your home and how you would like the
spaces to function. The goal should be
to increase your home’s efficiency and
functionality—then, once you have that
figured out, think about the aesthetics of
the space.
Dunelm SS 2023 Range
DOn’t lose the forest for the trees
It’s essential you approach a renovation
as a whole, rather than zoning in on
particular small projects. The first thing
to do is to have a cohesive concept for
the project before embarking on the
renovation so that look and feel is carried
out through the whole house.” Even if
you’re tackling the project room-by-room
to space out the expenses over time,
begin with an overall design plan for the
entire house so rooms don’t start to feel
disjointed as the project continues.
DO shop around for the
right builder
One of the hardest things about doing
any renovation is finding the right builder
who’s going to help you conceive your
vision - or guide you a bit if you’re not
sure what you could do. It’s essential
to get at least three quotes before you
start work. But most importantly, don’t
be afraid to ask all the questions you
might have before making the decision.
Especially if you’re renovating an entire
house, you’ll be working with this person
for several months (at least!) during what
is typically a stressful transition for many
families. Make sure you shop around for
the best price, as well as the person who
matches your work style and understands
the overall vision for the space. The
cheapest price isn’t always the best one,
but nor is the most expensive - it’s most
important that you get on with the builder
and see eye to eye on ways of working.
DON’T underestimate the cost
On the whole, people really
underestimate how much a renovation
project costs - forgetting about the
accessory works and especially in
these times when materials are super
expensive. During a time when the
market is particularly volatile, the
estimated project cost from six months
ago may now look very different. It’s
a good idea to budget for at least 20
percent above the estimated cost and
check in regularly about changes to
avoid surprises. If the works are large
scale, make sure your builder is costing
their quote in accordance with a quantity
surveyor.
DO work with what you’ve got
The more you can work around the
existing conditions, the better. Being
flexible to come up with other creative
ideas instead of trying to change
the bones of the building can make
renovating more cost-effective.
DON’T just follow Instagram
and Pinterest
From magazines, to social media, to
Pinterest, and elsewhere, there is so
much ‘inspiration’ that can influence our
design decisions, so when designing
your home or defining your style, it’s