The right order of renovation work
Follow this sequence so you never redo finished work.
1. Survey and assess
Get a survey and, on older homes, an EICR and damp check. Know the condition before you plan or budget anything.
2. Plan, permissions and budget
Finalise the design, check planning and building regulations, and set a full budget with a 10 to 20% contingency.
3. Strip out and structural work
Remove old kitchens, bathrooms and finishes, then do any structural work such as removing walls or repairs.
4. First-fix services
Rewiring, plumbing, heating and any new pipework and cabling before walls are closed up.
5. Plastering and making good
Plaster walls and ceilings, then allow proper drying time before decorating.
6. Second-fix and fit-out
Fit the kitchen, bathroom, doors, sockets, switches and radiators.
7. Flooring and decorating
Paint and decorate, then lay flooring and carpets last to protect the finish.
Before you start: planning checklist
Tick these off before any work begins:
- Commission a survey and condition reports on older properties.
- Confirm whether planning permission or building regulations approval is needed.
- Check for listed status, conservation area rules or restrictive covenants.
- Get at least three written, itemised quotes from registered trades.
- Set a full budget with a 10 to 20% contingency.
- Agree a schedule and payment stages in writing.
- Sort insurance and, if needed, temporary accommodation.
Budget checklist: costs not to forget
The lines people leave out and regret:
- Skip hire and waste removal during strip-out.
- Making good, plastering and redecoration after first-fix work.
- Scaffolding for roof, window or exterior work.
- VAT on materials and labour.
- Temporary accommodation or eating out during kitchen works.
- A contingency for the hidden problems a renovation always finds.
Cost the whole project in one place
Our refurbishment and reserves planner turns a property's condition into an itemised renovation estimate across every line on this checklist, then adds it to your buying costs and emergency fund so your budget is complete before you start.
Never decorate before first-fix is done
Painting or laying floors before electrics, plumbing and plastering are finished means damaging or redoing that work later. Keep decorating and flooring to the very end of the schedule.