Renovating a home is a great way to add value to your home and increase your quality of life as you live in it. You might be looking to build your dream home or to maximise your return when you cash in.

Whatever your ambitions, planning is key. Renovation is also a costly process, especially when you fail to adequately prepare for it.

But what, exactly, does effective planning mean? Let’s take a look at some of the key components.

Disclaimer: This post is a collaboration

Setting a Realistic Budget

You’ll want to proceed with a conservative budget. This should cover all of the costs you anticipate and a few that you might not. By giving yourself some room to breathe at this stage, you’ll avoid considerable pain later on.

Of course, the budget will be informed by the desired scope of your renovation (and, to an extent, vice versa). Decide the rooms you want to renovate, and make a list of all the materials and labour you’ll need to invest in. Source multiple quotes, and consider the areas in which you have scope to save. For example, if you’re buying bathroom tiles, you might find that the price varies hugely.

One way you can manage your costs effectively is to spend a little more on a project manager. However, this is typically only justified for larger projects.

Researching and Hiring Professionals

The people who carry out the renovation will have a big say in the ultimate outcome. That’s why it’s vital to check reviews and ask for recommendations before you get started. Make sure that the people you’re hiring are accredited.

Planning for Permits and Regulations

In some cases, you’ll need to ask your local authority for planning permission. This tends to be the case if you’re building something that will be visible from the street or from a neighbour’s garden. If you’re unsure, it’s best to tend on the side of caution, since if you don’t get permission, you could be forced to undo the entire project at considerable cost.

There are specialised consultants whose job it is to tell you whether you need permission for a given project. If your project is large enough, think about hiring them.

Prioritising Safety and Insurance

You’ll need to make sure that everyone is safe on the site. Periodic risk assessments will help you stay on the right side of the rules. This is critical if the general public is going to be near your renovation.

Of course, however thoroughly you vet your hires, there’s always a small chance that something will go wrong. For this reason, it’s worth looking into renovation insurance to cover any potential damages.

Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Options

A renovation is an opportunity to bring in sustainable materials and to make the fabric of your building more energy efficient and cost-effective in the long term. This might mean switching to LED lights, low-flow showerheads, triple-glazed windows, or any number of additional green measures.