Whether you’re doing up a property to increase its value or simply fancy giving your home a makeover, residential renovation can be a stressful process. Follow these five tips to avoid the common pitfalls associated with revamping a residential property.
When refitting a residential property, it’s tempting to go for style over substance. But before you wow your friends or impress potential buyers with the latest gadgets and modern décor, first you need a safe and functional boiler, up-to-date wiring, and a property free from damp and structural issues. Ideally, you’ll already have a good idea of what needs doing, but it’s surprising how many problems can lurk unnoticed without a thorough inspection. Residential project managers (such as our team here at Apollo) can check out your property and make recommendations on which points to prioritise.
The kitchen has the biggest potential to increase value in a property. It’s a room that makes an instant impression on buyers; disappoint them with dated fittings and they’re likely to look elsewhere. But although a kitchen refit should be high on your renovation to-do list, it doesn’t have to be a costly or extensive process. By all means, begin your residential renovation by completely replacing your kitchen; if, however, your budget doesn’t stretch that far, you can achieve a great look with some canny shortcuts. Revive and modernise by adding new doors to your cabinets, redecorating the walls and perhaps replacing tired old tiles with modern, glossy splashbacks.
If your goal is to sell your property, the changes you make during a residential renovation need to make maximum impact. The hardest-working updates will be relatively inexpensive, but will help to create an attractive first impression. Small but high-impact changes might include replacing the front door, redecorating, fitting new carpets and tidying up the front garden.
One of the biggest improvements you can make to a property is to increase the amount of living space it affords you. Do an audit of your house or flat and identify areas where your space could be put to better use. This might involve building a loft conversion, adding an en-suite or extending the property into the garden; or it could simply mean investing in better storage solutions. Professional space planners can help you get the best out of the square footage available to you.
Big refurbishment projects rarely come in under budget. When planning your project, it’s important to be realistic about the likely costs; so obtain quotations from multiple contractors to get a good idea of the expense, and always include extra funds in the budget (around 10-15% is standard) for contingencies. Keep in close contact with contractors throughout the process, so that you stay in the loop and can be aware early of possible complications or additional costs.
At Apollo Interiors we specialise in residential renovation. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you improve your residential property.
