If you’re wondering what exactly awaits you with a renovation, there’s no way to accurately write out the full range of possibilities and likelihoods. But I can provide a list of the various stages of *most* renovation projects, and I hope this at least helps give some idea of the process. And to be honest, you don’t want to know everything to expect, because you might decide not to do it if you did!
To start, here’s the formal version from RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects):
And here’s a more basic text version of the various stages of your average renovation – the order will vary, along with what is included, from project to project!
- Research Stage
- Big Picture Budget
- Measured Survey
- Initial Ideas – talking to architects, designers, structural engineer
- Agree the general design
- Contract Architect/Designer if using
- Agree your plans and drawings with your architect
- Discuss your plans with your neighbours and chat through any initial concerns.
- Submit Planning Permission
- Submit Building Control Application
- Structural Engineer Drawings
- Submit for building regulations
- Check out other notices and permissions
- Detailed drawings
- Discuss Project Management with architect/designer if using
- Surveys, Drains, Building Regulations, Party Wall Agreements
- Decide on relevant fixtures and fittings
- Get quotes from Builders
- Get references from Builders, check qualifications, guarantees, insurance
- Decide on Builder
- Agree payment schedules, contract, timelines, project management with builder
- Discuss product sourcing
- Prep house for work – pack up, protect, move out
- Current condition assessment
- Stop further decay
- Grants/Tax concessions
- Statutory consents
- Structural stability
- Demolition work
- Dealing with damp
- Drains
- Site access
- Major building work
- Make building weathertight
- Exterior
- External works
- First fix
- Plastering
- Drying out
- Fixed flooring
- Second fix
- Decorating
- Final clean
- Move in
- Snagging
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