Are you buying a new home in London? Are you getting tired of the design in the old one? Whether you are planning a complete home renovation or just a partial one, you have to consider some main steps before starting.
You need a clear plan before you start. Renovation takes time, and thousands of pounds go to waste when the sequence is wrong. Here are the seven stages the NU Projects team works through on a renovation, in the order they happen.
1. Strip out and removal
The first step of each home renovation project is cleaning out every piece of furniture and fixtures from the interior. This process includes removing wallpapers, floors and floor tiles as well. You have to take the rooms back to the bare studs and flooring to expose any underlying problems that need fixing, such as wiring.
Plan the waste before you start. Depending on what is coming out, that usually means a skip on the street, and in most London boroughs a skip needs a licence.
2. Structural work: floors, ceilings, walls
When the interior is cleaned out properly, the real work can start. During structural works, you can make any changes to the floor plan. Think through how you will use the rooms on a daily basis and recreate a layout from a functional standpoint.
3. First fix, wiring
Once the layout is settled, the wiring goes in.
NU’s tip: If you are doing the renovation yourself, still use a qualified electrician for this stage.
4. Plasterboard and plastering
The next step is boarding out. Be certain before you do. Changing the layout once the boards are up is expensive.
If you are happy with the new floorplan, the plastering process can start.
5. Second fix
After plastering, the second fix can begin:
- light switches, plug sockets and light fittings will be installed
- plumbing appliances will be connected, tested and fixed if needed
- joiners will do their finishing touches on doors and any woodwork
NU’s tip: Everything gets tested at this stage. Anything missed here costs far more to put right once the finishes are on.
6. Painting, flooring and tiling
When it comes to covering the walls, the choice is between paint and wallpaper, and the right answer depends on the room and the light in it.
You can do the flooring, carpeting and tiling yourself, but we highly recommend involving professionals. If you haven’t signed up with a design and build company that take care of the installation, you can ask the company you purchased the flooring from to help you.
NU’s tip: Order flooring and tiles before the work starts. Stock runs out, and some materials take weeks or months to arrive.
7. Furnishing and decoration
When you are happy with how the renovation turned out, you can refurbish your interior. You can pick the furniture pieces yourself orread our article on why we recommend including an interior designer.
Takeaway:
1.Strip out and removal
2.Structural work: floors, ceilings, walls
3.First fix: Wiring
4.Drywalling, plastering
5.Second fix
6.Painting, flooring and tiling
7.Furnishing and decoration
If you would rather one team ran all seven, tell us about the house. Our 12-stage process sets out how we do it, and the cost calculator gives you an early figure.
Published 15 September 2021. Written by the NU Projects studio, edited since for house style and accuracy.