FROM SOMEONE THAT HAS DONE IT 4 TIMES IN 5 YEARS!
I feel like I'm quite the expert on this topic, if I do say so myself. If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen me live through the mayhem for the last few years!
I know the motivation it takes, the on going dust and noise you have to put up with and the determination you need to finish the project when you're feeling at your lowest. It's a rollercoaster, let me tell you!
1. Planning is KEY & don't be afraid to ask!
- Living in a renovation adds to your time frame as the builders will have to work around you and your temporary living spaces. Ensure your build team and tradesmen know your goals, schedules and ideal scenarios for the full renovation. What areas do you need doing sooner than others? If you're having the whole house renovated, trust me, you'll want at least 1-2 habitable rooms to be able to live in. Ask if these can be completed first so they then have a clear run of the rest of the house. Just being able to shut yourself in a liveable room will help you more than you think!
- Renovating during Winter months are so much harder than Summer. The dark nights (with no power) and low temperatures (with no heating) really do effect your mood and mental health so if you have the option to carry out the work in the Summer, I would highly recommend it!
- If you have the ability to create an entrance and exit into the house just for your build team and a separate one for you... DO IT! One giant steel toe cap boot is enough to lift that dust from your floorboards and add another layer of it to your belongings! (Trust me it makes a difference!)
2. Be prepared for... DUST & a horrific looking toilet!
- You will definitely underestimate the amount of dust that accumulates. You clean a surface and within minutes there will be another layer of it again, especially during building and first fix work. Use dust sheets to cover EVERYTHING. Stock up on cleaning products and wipes! Although a lot of people will say that cleaning is a wasted exercise during a renovation. It's amazing what those few minutes of cleanliness can do for your mind!
- Masking tape up around door openings and cupboards. If there's a gap or crack that dust will find it's way in!
- The toilet situation. If you don't laugh about it, you'll cry.
The last thing you want is all the builders sitting on your brand spanking, gleaming white new toilet seat, so a lot of people keep the existing one in until one of the last tasks as you just can't live without a toilet. This means that you potentially have to share it with the build team and let me tell you one thing... Be sure to stock up on the bleach *Insert throw up emoji*
3. Be EQUIPPED
- Whether it's a full house renovation, a kitchen revamp or a simple decorating job. Chances are, you're going to have to move your belongings either into a different room or into storage. Builders love a clear area to work in (less responsibility to break things).
I've had to create a make-shift kitchen plenty of times and have invested in some 'renovation essential' kitchen equipment over the years that I now can't live without during a refurb! Below are a couple of my renovation MUST HAVE appliances!
The Russell Hobbs Mini Kitchen Multi-Cooker with Hotplates - This is basically an oven and a hob in one but microwave size! Gordon Ramsay ain't got nothing on me with this appliance.
A Breville Sandwich/Panini Press and Toast Maker...Cheese & Ham toasties, say no more!
If you're an egg fan I use this little device as a fried egg and omelette maker! The Salter Non-Stick Omelette Maker
- You can never ever have too many...teabags! I kid you not, the amount of teabags builders go through is quite impressive! If they could stop for a brew break every 5 minutes they would! I once had a tradesman wanting TWO teabags per brew!!
4. Budget! Keep on top of it! It's totally worth it!
- The money disappears quicker than you think and if you end up running out mid way through then you'll be living in the mess for a hell of a lot longer! Set budgets for every single part of the refurb and keep records of every single transaction to ensure you stay on budget.
- Living in your renovation means you get to live through every single part of it. You learn so much more about the process of each task and the sheer joy you get when a new milestone is hit and another job gets ticked off the list makes all of the endless bills worth it! Sit tight & pay your bills... You got this!
5. Treat yourself!
- I know budgets might be tight but if you can, treat yourself every now and again to help keep your motivation going. A clean table, some pub grub and a cheeky beverage at a restaurant will give you as much joy as a 2 week holiday would!
- Celebrate every little win! A plug socket? Hooray! A clean toilet? Hooray! Getting through the day without having a breakdown? Hooray, you got this!!
and finally the best advise of all... EMBRACE THE CHAOS and ENJOY IT! If you don't then it can literally break you.
Do you want some 1-1 help to make your renovation project a success? We can help! We offer a 1-1 Mentoring Service that can help support property investors with project management, interior design and how to grow a property business!
Happy house renovating!
Written by
Molly Waterhouse
Founder of MW Property Investors Ltd &
The HMO Design Bible
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