F rom replacing your front door to building a two-storey extension, there is a lot you can do to make your home work harder for you, both as a living space and as an investment. If you choose what you do wisely, work with

professional tradespeople and stick to your budget, your eff orts will reap rewards. Renovation has also become a popular alternative to moving over the past decade as house prices have escalated.

Read this guide before you start your project – it will help you to avoid delays, minimise frustration and keep a lid on spiralling costs so that your project runs to plan.

A-Z HOME

RENOVATIONS

of

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CAREFUL PLANNING WILL MINIMISE COSTS AND MAXIMISE ENJOYMENT

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CONVERSION

One of the simplest ways to renovate is to convert your

existing space. This can mean turning an unused garage into a

usable room, digging out a basement to create a living space

or transforming your junk-fi lled loft into extra bedrooms.

Garage conversions can be the cheapest to do, often only

requiring insulation and a new doorway. Loft conversions

are more complicated as they must comply with regulations

regarding access and exits. Basement conversions are the

most costly, but can be worth it in high-value areas, such as

London, where space is at a premium. ‘We’ve just completed

our own basement conversion,’ says Sarah Beeny. ‘They can

be a hassle, but with four boys we needed the extra space.’

H O M E I M P R O V E M E N T S ▲

218 | OCTOBER 2016

EXTENSIONS

Adding footage to your home is a great way to improve its

liveability and value. Imagine being able to double the size of your

kitchen or extend into that unused side return and incorporate

those extra square metres into your living space.

Recent, temporary, changes in planning law mean you can now

extend your home with a single-storey extension of up to 6m

(previously 3m) for an attached home, or 8m (previously 4m) for

a detached property, without having to apply for permission. (You

will still need to inform the council and go through a neighbour

notifi cation process.) These increased allowances will be in place

until May 2019 and only apply to houses – not maisonettes or fl ats.

If you’re in a conservation area, visit www.planningportal.co.ukANNEXE

If you have the space to convert a garage or outbuilding into an annexe, it can be a great way to improve your home. Fitting in extra living space will make your home work better for your family – it can be an area where you work or play, or for the children to have their own space, giving you back your living room.

If you can fit in a bathroom and bedroom, too, you’re creating a versatile space that you can use to host friends or family, giving them their privacy when they visit.

Alternatively, you could rent it out to a lodger to make some extra money or use it as a ‘granny flat’ for an elderly relative. This is an increasingly popular option owing to soaring property prices, the shortage of affordable housing and the rising cost of long-term care.

BUILDING REGULATIONS

When you undertake larger renovations, such as installing a new staircase or bathroom, replacing the roof, windows

or doors, or taking down a load-bearing wall, you’ll need to inform the building regulations department at your local council and get their approval before you start. You can also use a tradesperson registered with a competent person scheme (CPS), such as Fensa for window and door installations (www.competentperson.co.uk).

If unsure whether your works need approval, check with the council before you start to avoid problems when it comes to selling your home.

GLAZING

Bringing more light into any home can make it a more beautiful place to live, so you should defi nitely consider adding windows, doors, skylights or a glass roof extension.

Charlie Sharman, of glass structure specialists Cantifi x (www.cantifi x.co.uk), says: ‘Daylight is an essential factor for both our long- and short-term health. Most renovations and new builds now incorporate a certain amount of specialist glazing,

whether it is large panels of fi xed glass or slim-framed sliding doors.’ Incorporate glass to allow as much light in

as possible – you could even consider an entirely glass extension. Not only would this add the wow factor, it’s

a clever way to bring the outside inside.

FREEHOLD VS LEASEHOLD

Before you undertake any renovations on your

home, check the legals fi rst, particularly whether you

are the freeholder or a leaseholder. Most fl ats are

leasehold, whereas houses are generally freehold.

If you have a leasehold property, or a share of

the leasehold, then you are legally required to get

permission from the freeholder – your landlord – to

do the works, and they may charge you for this. Ask

your solicitor for advice. Renovating a leasehold

property can be more tricky than a freehold one, as

the work might affect other people in the building.

Even if you own a freehold property, there may

be covenants in your title deeds that restrict certain

works, so do check fi rst.

H O M E I M P R O V E M E N T S H O M E I M P R O V E M E N T S ▲▲

FREEHOLD VS LEASEHOLDFREEHOLD VS LEASEHOLD

DDD INSULATION

Adding insulation to older

homes can greatly improve

their thermal performance,

particularly if you have cavity

walls. It doesn’t have to be

hugely disruptive – small

holes are drilled on the

outside, then pumped full

of insulating product, such

as recycled newspaper. If

you’re adding an extension,

or building from scratch,

incorporate as much

insulation as possible

– choose from wool, recycled

paper or foam. The lower the

U-value (the rate at which

heat loss is measured), the

warmer your home will be.

HYGGE

This Danish term doesn’t have a direct UK translation, but in

essence it means cosy, happy and relaxed. Danish interiors are

often painted white, as the Danes believe those

living in the property should add the colour. There will be plenty of rich textures, soft furs

and metallic accents to make a room appealing. Layers in one colour are inviting, so use this trick in your home. Invest in

wool blankets, silk cushions and furry rugs to turn your home into your own little cocoon.

your local council and get their approval before you

DOORS (GLASS ONES)

Changing your doors can be

a great way to update the

look of your home. Replacing

veneer doors with original

Victorian timber ones in a

period property will greatly

improve its look and value,

for example. In non-period

properties, you can choose

from solid timber, glass,

metal or a combination. Glass

doors will give a bright and

contemporary feel, allowing

natural light to fl ood in.

If you’re short of space, sliding

doors can be the answer.

Schuco offers a range of slide,

lift-and-slide, tilt-and-slide

and folding styles, available

through its partner fi rm

Bi-Fold Door Factory (www.

bifolddoorfactory.co.uk).

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PLANNING PERMISSION/PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT

Some renovations require planning permission,

while others don’t because they are classed as

permitted development. It’s crucial you know

on which side of this line your works sit before

you get the sledgehammer out.

If your works do require planning permission,

this can take months – but don’t try to skip this

stage of the process as it has been known for

councils to insist people take down extensions

if they haven’t sought prior approval.

Visit www.planningportal.co.uk for useful

information and advice before you get started.

RENDER

Make over the outside of your house to transform an

ugly duckling into a beautiful and desirable home.

‘You can completely transform the look of your

home with render and cladding,’ says Sarah Beeny.

If it’s a period property, replicate the original

plasterwork using a breathable render to avoid

damp. With modern houses, you can go uber

contemporary with crisp, sharp lines that will

give you a new look for the 21st century.

NEIGHBOURS

You may be super excited at the prospect of your

building works starting, but spare a thought for your

neighbours. Banging, dust, noise, lorries and all that

renovating entails can cause serious tension between

you and your neighbours.

‘You may be fi ne with the banging and dust,’ says

Sarah Beeny, ‘but to some it’s their worst nightmare.’

Inform your neighbours of your plans in advance

and keep them updated if the plan changes. Warn

them when any heavy machinery will be arriving and

do everything you can to keep them on side.

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H O M E I M P R O V E M E N T S ▲

JANUARY – THE BEST TIME TO BUY OR SELL, ACCORDING

TO SARAH BEENY

While the property market tends

to slow down in the run up to

Christmas, the new year means

new beginnings and millions of

people log on to property portals

in January. Last year, more than

100 million potential movers visited

Rightmove at the start of the year.

And Zoopla clocked up 45% more

visits in January than in the months

leading up to Christmas.

J

KNOWLEDGE

Whether you are building a home from scratch,

extending your property or replacing your kitchen,

forewarned is forearmed, so make sure you do

your research. Search the internet for prices and

techniques so you know what is involved for each

job you undertake. This will give you the power to

negotiate better prices for materials, and also enable

you to pay professionals the right amount.

‘When asking a professional to do the job, a

small amount of knowledge may help prevent any

unscrupulous tradespeople from taking advantage

of you,’ advises Sarah Beeny.

QLIGHTING

This is one of the most important aspects of any

renovation. Don’t be afraid to be brave with lighting

– a trio of pendants looks more stylish than a single one in

the centre of the room. Place lights where you’ll use them

most – over a dining table or kitchen island, for example.

You’ll need to consider ambient lighting, from

wall lights and lamps, as well as task lighting

(usually brighter and directly overhead

worktops). You’ll need a good mix of

both to create an environment that is

at once practical and relaxing.

MMONEY

When it comes to budgeting,

remember that renovations

nearly always cost more than you

expect. This is where research is

key, because knowing how much

materials and labour cost allows

you to set a realistic budget.

But even then, you should have

a contingency fund on top, to

cover any unforeseen expenses

that arise during the works.

‘Set out a careful budget before

you begin,’ advises Sarah Beeny.

‘Then add a 20% contingency for

anything unexpected.’

renovation. Don’t be afraid to be brave with lighting

– a trio of pendants looks more stylish than a single one in

the centre of the room. Place lights where you’ll use them

most – over a dining table or kitchen island, for example.

SOFTWARE

Are you one of those

people who fi nds it diffi cult

to imagine what the

fi nished article will look like, whether

it’s transforming a room using paint or

building an extension?

Online tools can help here, with 3D

software apps such as HomeDesign3

and RoomSketcher allowing you to

see how your ideas will look before

you start work. Use these to create

new fl oorplans or to try paint colours

without having to pick up a brush.

For larger renovations, these tools

can be invaluable as seeing the ‘fi nished’

article before you start means you’re

less likely to make changes midway

through the project, which can be

time-consuming and costly.

Make over the outside of your house to transform an

ugly duckling into a beautiful and desirable home.

‘You can completely transform the look of your

home with render and cladding,’ says Sarah Beeny.

contemporary with crisp, sharp lines that will

SOFTWARE

TRADESPEOPLE

Keep a database of traders that friends and family

have recommended – you never know when you

may need to call on their services. Renovations

and repair works are much less stressful if you

know you have got people you can rely on.

But even with recommendations, ensure you

get references from two or three sources. Online

reviews can also be helpful. And always get

quotes from at least three traders for each job.

‘Get competitive tenders and don’t be afraid to

shop around for quotes. In some areas, building

contractors are short of work and will offer

competitive rates,’ advises Sarah Beeny. ‘And

don’t be afraid to negotiate labour costs – lots of

bricklayers are struggling for contracts, so may

offer you a good deal. But be realistic.’OOPEN-PLAN

Older homes were built when children and

adults tended to occupy separate spaces.

Today’s families prefer to share open-plan

areas that are multifunctional and fi lled

with light. However, there is a downside,

for example when someone is trying to

work while someone else is watching TV.

So recently there has been a move towards

creating fl exible spaces that are open but

can be separated when required, using half

walls and smart shelving for example.

SARAH SAYS‘For a

successful renovation, think about budgeting

realistically. You’ll be

surprised by how much extras like

fi xtures and furnishings

cost.’

QUOTA – BALANCING BEDROOMS WITH BATHROOMS

When it comes to renovating, more can end up being less. For example, a terraced house with four tiny bedrooms and a small living room is likely to be less desirable than one with three bedrooms and a larger living space. It’s important to get the balance right.

Ideally, you need one bathroom for every two bedrooms. For homes with over three bedrooms, you should have two areas for relaxing, such as a living room and a kitchen-diner.

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VENTILATION (PASSIVE/MECHANICAL)

This is another stipulation of building

regulations – all homes must be

adequately ventilated.

As building methods and insulation

have improved over the decades,

properties have become more airtight

and less well ventilated, so the need for

incorporating ventilation has become

greater. This can be achieved through

exhaust vents in bathrooms and kitchens,

and trickle vents in windows and doors.

New homes often have mechanical heat

and recovery ventilation (MHRV) units

installed. These extract air from the outside

then fi lter it into the home, removing

humidity and providing a constant source

of fresh air. As well as offering climate

control, they are energy effi cient.

222 | OCTOBER 2016

ZZZZs – WHY SMALL, DARKER BEDROOMS ARE MORE COSY

Top interior designers agree that while living spaces benefi t from openness and light, our bedrooms are an entirely different story.

You don’t need a lot of space, just room for a bed and your clothes. Choose the biggest bed your space can accommodate – ideally you should be able to walk around all sides. A king size is the minimum you’ll need if there are two of you. When it comes to decorating, choose darker colours, and buy thick curtains or black out blinds. Use plenty of soft, rich textures on the bed to create a cosy, restful space.

Z

YIELDS: HOW TO NOT

OVERSPEND ON YOUR PROPERTY

Even if you are renovating your home to turn it into your dream property, it’s

important to keep valuation in mind so that you don’t overspend. Sure, you may be happy

to blow the budget to give your home the wow factor, but be wary of spending thousands on

things that won’t add value or improve saleability down the line. You may really want a subterranean swimming pool, but will anyone else be willing to pay the premium for it?

Choose wisely and spend proportionally – you can recoup 75%-100% of the cost of a stylish kitchen when it’s time to sell, but putting a £30,000 kitchen in a £150,000 terraced home makes little sense.

WOODWORK

Bringing the natural look of

wood into your home can give

it a tactile, organic feel. Choose

period skirting boards and

traditional style cupboards for

Victorian homes, while a stylish

new staircase in a modern home

will become a feature in itself.

‘Staircases can be made bespoke

and delivered to your door in a

few weeks,’ says timber staircase

specialists Stairbox.com XXENIAL

From the ancient Greek, this refers to the hospitality shown by hosts to guests. The approach to your home is one of the most important things to consider when making your property more welcoming to visitors. After all, that’s what people will see fi rst.

Encourage people into your home with a clearly defi ned route to the front door – a path or stepping stones work well. A stylish welcome mat, lighting and fl owers also help to make people feel welcome.

‘You can put a person in a positive frame of mind before they’ve stepped through the door,’ says Sarah Beeny.

UNDERPINNING

Hopefully you won’t ever have to do

this, but if you are unlucky enough to

have subsidence, this is the fi x. Your

insurance should cover the cost,

although there will be a large excess.

The Local Authority Building

Control (LABC) website says:

‘Where a building has been damaged

by foundation movement and has

required underpinning, there may be

a need to carry out structural repairs

or strengthening work. Such works

should be designed and specifi ed by

a structural engineer or a specialist

structural repair company.’

Underpinning is also required for

forming new cellars or basements.

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