Home Renovation Project

Who this is for

Seven tasks covering the spine of a renovation: scope, budget, permissions, contractors, schedule, execution, and sign-off. It's the high-level version — for a kitchen specifically, the Kitchen Remodeling Project goes considerably deeper.

Budget the contingency as a real number

Renovations of any age of property uncover things: wiring that isn't to standard, damp behind a wall, a floor that isn't level. Set aside 15–20% on top of quotes and treat it as spent. Projects that run to the exact quote are the exception, and the ones that go badly are usually the ones where discovering a problem meant there was no money to fix it.

Permissions before demolition

Planning permission, building regulations, freeholder or listed-building consent where relevant. Doing the work first and regularising later is expensive at best and, at sale, a problem that surfaces during conveyancing when you have the least leverage.

Get quotes that describe the same job

Three quotes are only comparable if all three price the same specification, in writing, including materials and who supplies them. A cheap quote is usually a different job. Ask what isn't included — that's where the variation lives.

Agree a payment schedule tied to progress

Stage payments against completed milestones, with a retention held until snagging is done. Large upfront payments remove your only remaining leverage at exactly the point you might need it.

Timing

Turn on due dates once contractors are booked, since their schedule drives everything. Before that, work it plain — the early tasks move at the speed of quotes and permissions.