Renovation Diary: Insider Tips Every Homeowner Should Know
Starting work on your home? Read this invaluable advice from our real-time, experienced renovator, Clare Zerny
Clare and Ben, you may recall, are completely renovating and extending a Victorian semi in Suffolk. After many delays, work is continuing apace.
Clare has already gone through the project room by room, sharing her plans, learnings and ideabooks. Later in the year, when the work is complete, she’ll open up her finished home for an almighty ‘before and after’ story.
In the meantime, though, I caught up with Clare about the lessons she’s learned since the renovation began last year. Please also share your own renovation tips in the Comments below (and bookmark this piece if you’re about to begin work on a project).
More in this series: A Victorian Semi Full of Potential l How do we Create a Style for the Kitchen? l How do we Create an Entrance With Impact? l How do we Create a Snug (We’ll Actually Use)? I How do we Create a Characterful Bathroom?
Clare has already gone through the project room by room, sharing her plans, learnings and ideabooks. Later in the year, when the work is complete, she’ll open up her finished home for an almighty ‘before and after’ story.
In the meantime, though, I caught up with Clare about the lessons she’s learned since the renovation began last year. Please also share your own renovation tips in the Comments below (and bookmark this piece if you’re about to begin work on a project).
More in this series: A Victorian Semi Full of Potential l How do we Create a Style for the Kitchen? l How do we Create an Entrance With Impact? l How do we Create a Snug (We’ll Actually Use)? I How do we Create a Characterful Bathroom?
Establish a timeline with your builders
“One of the things to get from the outset, especially if you’re project managing yourself, is a timeline from your builders,” Clare advises. “This means you can make all the decisions in the right order.
“For instance, there’s no point picking a sideboard for the bathroom early on if you need to get windows for the whole house first.”
“One of the things to get from the outset, especially if you’re project managing yourself, is a timeline from your builders,” Clare advises. “This means you can make all the decisions in the right order.
“For instance, there’s no point picking a sideboard for the bathroom early on if you need to get windows for the whole house first.”
List all the details for a realistic quote
“We got a rough price from our builders before our architect had done the finished drawings,” Clare says.
“It was a very roundabout figure, but it’s important to include as much as you can think of; once you add in, say, cornicing, wallpaper, that new windowsill, and any painting, before you know it you could easily be looking at another £5,000 to £10,000.”
And the moral of that story? Always have a contingency fund. It will cost more than you think.
Want to start thinking about an architect for a project you’re planning? Read reviews of professionals in your area
“We got a rough price from our builders before our architect had done the finished drawings,” Clare says.
“It was a very roundabout figure, but it’s important to include as much as you can think of; once you add in, say, cornicing, wallpaper, that new windowsill, and any painting, before you know it you could easily be looking at another £5,000 to £10,000.”
And the moral of that story? Always have a contingency fund. It will cost more than you think.
Want to start thinking about an architect for a project you’re planning? Read reviews of professionals in your area
Walk around the neighbourhood
This is especially good if you’re restoring a period property. “See what other houses built at the same time as yours have that yours doesn’t,” Clare says.
“If you have the balls, knock on the door to try to get a better look. People are quite often keen to show you around, especially when they’ve restored their own place and done lots of work.
“Missing ceiling roses and cornicing are a good example. By looking at similar houses locally, you get an idea of the designs that were original and what would work. You’re also likely to get tips for suppliers of such things once you get into conversation.”
This is especially good if you’re restoring a period property. “See what other houses built at the same time as yours have that yours doesn’t,” Clare says.
“If you have the balls, knock on the door to try to get a better look. People are quite often keen to show you around, especially when they’ve restored their own place and done lots of work.
“Missing ceiling roses and cornicing are a good example. By looking at similar houses locally, you get an idea of the designs that were original and what would work. You’re also likely to get tips for suppliers of such things once you get into conversation.”
Recycle where you can
“We have to buy in some reclaimed flooring, but we’re also using what we can from the house,” Clare says. “For example, there’s enough left over from the current dining room – which is being turned into a utility/loo/corridor (and being tiled) – to create the entire flooring in our new loft bathroom.
“A bonus is that when the builders re-lay the planks, they’ll put them closer together and can also silicone underneath – especially good in a bathroom. They’ll be original and look beautiful, but – recycled – they’ll function much better.
“We’ve also taken some original tiles that were on the patio and are reusing them for our front path. We’ve picked out the red and black square ones, as we’ve seen a chequerboard layout in these colours in front gardens elsewhere on our street.”
“We have to buy in some reclaimed flooring, but we’re also using what we can from the house,” Clare says. “For example, there’s enough left over from the current dining room – which is being turned into a utility/loo/corridor (and being tiled) – to create the entire flooring in our new loft bathroom.
“A bonus is that when the builders re-lay the planks, they’ll put them closer together and can also silicone underneath – especially good in a bathroom. They’ll be original and look beautiful, but – recycled – they’ll function much better.
“We’ve also taken some original tiles that were on the patio and are reusing them for our front path. We’ve picked out the red and black square ones, as we’ve seen a chequerboard layout in these colours in front gardens elsewhere on our street.”
Try not to be swept away with trends when it comes to the big things
Invest in decent fittings. “Buy things that will last – for me, getting a really good cooker was important,” Clare says.
“Make the items that are fixed more neutral and very well made. ‘You buy cheap, you pay dear,’ as my mum always says. Decoration you can change more easily.”
Invest in decent fittings. “Buy things that will last – for me, getting a really good cooker was important,” Clare says.
“Make the items that are fixed more neutral and very well made. ‘You buy cheap, you pay dear,’ as my mum always says. Decoration you can change more easily.”
Shop around
Shop when sales are on, even if it’s too early to buy particular items. “Be aware that lots of places will let you buy ahead or pay a deposit and then deliver when you need it,” advises Clare.
“As already mentioned, be sure to talk to your builder about the schedule of works and arrange delivery well in advance, as it can often take weeks.
“A good example with our renovation is that we had to buy 22 cast-iron radiators in total and 35 wall stays for them. It can feel like less hassle to buy everything in one place, but sometimes it isn’t cost-effective. I almost bought the stays and the radiators in the same place, but then I spotted the stays on sale elsewhere; splitting the purchase saved us £500.
“I also saw that, after I’d originally found the radiators I liked, a different but similar style popped up on offer. So by not rushing into the purchase of those, we saved thousands – the new ones were nearly half the price.
Browse radiators in the Houzz Shop
Shop when sales are on, even if it’s too early to buy particular items. “Be aware that lots of places will let you buy ahead or pay a deposit and then deliver when you need it,” advises Clare.
“As already mentioned, be sure to talk to your builder about the schedule of works and arrange delivery well in advance, as it can often take weeks.
“A good example with our renovation is that we had to buy 22 cast-iron radiators in total and 35 wall stays for them. It can feel like less hassle to buy everything in one place, but sometimes it isn’t cost-effective. I almost bought the stays and the radiators in the same place, but then I spotted the stays on sale elsewhere; splitting the purchase saved us £500.
“I also saw that, after I’d originally found the radiators I liked, a different but similar style popped up on offer. So by not rushing into the purchase of those, we saved thousands – the new ones were nearly half the price.
Browse radiators in the Houzz Shop
Request a breakdown when shopping
“If I hadn’t done this, I wouldn’t have noticed how high the delivery and installation costs were for our new windows. The glass came packaged separately, for safe delivery, which was partly why the cost for installing was high,” Clare says.
“It worked out much cheaper for Ben and me to hire a van and pick them up. We also asked our builders about installing them and it turned out that one had previously been a glazier, and he quoted us a fraction of the price. The money we saved will buy my freestanding bath!”
“If I hadn’t done this, I wouldn’t have noticed how high the delivery and installation costs were for our new windows. The glass came packaged separately, for safe delivery, which was partly why the cost for installing was high,” Clare says.
“It worked out much cheaper for Ben and me to hire a van and pick them up. We also asked our builders about installing them and it turned out that one had previously been a glazier, and he quoted us a fraction of the price. The money we saved will buy my freestanding bath!”
Ask for people’s help
“There’s a local paint and DIY shop near us and the woman in there turns out to be super-knowledgeable,” Clare says.
“She gave me an idea for the snug, which we want to paint the same colour all over, suggesting that we do the ceiling in eggshell and the walls in matt to very slightly differentiate them.”
If you don’t have an expert locally, try asking a pro on Houzz about something in one of their photos. Simply click into the image and type into the box that appears on the right.
“There’s a local paint and DIY shop near us and the woman in there turns out to be super-knowledgeable,” Clare says.
“She gave me an idea for the snug, which we want to paint the same colour all over, suggesting that we do the ceiling in eggshell and the walls in matt to very slightly differentiate them.”
If you don’t have an expert locally, try asking a pro on Houzz about something in one of their photos. Simply click into the image and type into the box that appears on the right.
Tackle decision overload
“It can be hard to make so many decisions when renovating – especially when the rooms you’re making decisions about don’t even exist yet,” Clare says.
“We’ve found that physically mocking things up to scale is one really useful way to move things on – even if it has to be in another room. We’ll get cardboard boxes and masking tape out to get an idea of dimensions.
“Getting hold of wallpaper samples or that actual piece of furniture or colour you know you want can be starting points that help to build a scheme, too.
“Also, when feeling paralysed by decision overload on the details, as we often have been, ease the pressure by reminding yourself that decorative decisions can usually be changed down the line.
“If you’re still unsure, opt for the safer, more neutral and less faddy option – you then also have the benefit of being able to live in the space and develop ideas more organically.”
“It can be hard to make so many decisions when renovating – especially when the rooms you’re making decisions about don’t even exist yet,” Clare says.
“We’ve found that physically mocking things up to scale is one really useful way to move things on – even if it has to be in another room. We’ll get cardboard boxes and masking tape out to get an idea of dimensions.
“Getting hold of wallpaper samples or that actual piece of furniture or colour you know you want can be starting points that help to build a scheme, too.
“Also, when feeling paralysed by decision overload on the details, as we often have been, ease the pressure by reminding yourself that decorative decisions can usually be changed down the line.
“If you’re still unsure, opt for the safer, more neutral and less faddy option – you then also have the benefit of being able to live in the space and develop ideas more organically.”
Have the confidence to speak up or stall for time
Following on from the last point, it can be easy to feel as if you have to decide about something on the spot. But if you’re really not sure, don’t be afraid to delay making the decision until you’ve researched and discussed it,” Clare advises.
“If you feel pressured into choosing something, or change your mind and feel you can’t say so, you may end up with something you’ll regret. And you’re the one who’ll have to live with it.
“Agree up front with your builders the process for changing your mind. In other words, if they’ve already done the work, be prepared to pay for it to be redone.”
Following on from the last point, it can be easy to feel as if you have to decide about something on the spot. But if you’re really not sure, don’t be afraid to delay making the decision until you’ve researched and discussed it,” Clare advises.
“If you feel pressured into choosing something, or change your mind and feel you can’t say so, you may end up with something you’ll regret. And you’re the one who’ll have to live with it.
“Agree up front with your builders the process for changing your mind. In other words, if they’ve already done the work, be prepared to pay for it to be redone.”
Clare gathered lots of images to illustrate her ideas. “There’s nothing better than pictures,” she says. “I showed our structural engineer a photo of exposed steels in someone else’s kitchen that I loved.
“He’d never seen steels done that way and wouldn’t have suggested the idea he eventually came up with if I hadn’t shown him that shot.
“I have libraries of images, collections I’ve built up. You can see them in my ideabooks. It’s not always the literal thing, as that can be hard to find; it’s just the inspiration, more of a moodboard for each room.
“If you can give your architect or builder a sense of your style, it’ll really help them to know what you like. Our builders have pulled out loads of gems they might otherwise have thrown away while working on our house – from old stone to the original loo.
“With the list of works, I also sent them a whole lot of visuals – even though it was way ahead of any decorating. It just gives them an idea of the look you’re aiming for. Then they start thinking ahead and suggesting ideas you might not have considered,” she says.