Do you have an old house that’s run down and in need of a renovation? Or perhaps you live in a new home that just needs some small renovations to make it feel like your own. Either way, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed by the whole idea and wondering what questions you should ask.

There are so many things to consider: how much will this cost, when do I start, where is the best place to find reliable contractors or tradesmen? With so many possibilities, it can be difficult to know exactly where to begin.

When starting any project, it’s important to set out a plan and goals for what you want to accomplish by the end of it. By asking yourself 5 simple yet very relevant questions before beginning your renovation, you will be much more likely to finish with a result you love.

1) What is my budget?

You can’t start any project, let alone a renovation if your finances won’t allow for it. It’s best to set out a realistic budget before even beginning the process, and stay true to that while exploring all of your options.

You don’t want to end up in a situation where you go over budget and have no room to spare for the things that matter most. And lastly, make sure you thoroughly research what exactly your budget should be because there are always hidden costs – one of the biggest ones being unexpected expenses.

2) Who do I know who has recently completed renovations?

The best way to learn what to do is by seeing what others have done. Ask friends and family members if they know anyone who has recently completed renovations or if they know of any good companies or contractors.

Sometimes word-of-mouth is the best way to find reliable, experienced tradesmen because you can trust that their work will be high quality.

3) Do I need planning permission?

While it might not seem like a big deal to knock down a wall or move around the kitchen layout, sometimes changes like these require planning permission. And even simply removing wallpaper can mean you need consent for this change of decoration.

It’s always worth checking with your local council whether formalities are needed before beginning any renovation project. Don let yourself get caught out after spending hours or days on renovations only to find out you now need planning permission.

4) How long will the renovation take?

There are two questions here: how much time do I have, and how much work is involved? It’s important to keep in mind that certain renovations take more time than others, so it helps if you factor this into your space planning.

Try not to leave things to the last minute because this can result in rushed decisions and poor quality workmanship. We all know what happens when stress gets involved…

5) Do I want to go ahead with the renovation?

This may seem like an odd question – of course, everyone wants their home renovated! However, sometimes we get caught up in grand ideas that turn out to be more hassle than they were worth.

Here’s where you need to ask yourself if the renovation project is truly worthwhile and will make your life better. Ask yourself what you hope to gain from this space, how it fits into your lifestyle now and in the future, and consider how much work it will be (and whether you’re up for that).

If after all of this you decide that renovation is still the best option, then go ahead with these 5 questions as research tools into making your home renovations a success. Unsure where to begin? Get quotes today.