Planning and Executing a Flat Renovation
If you live in a block of flats and want to renovate your home, you must consider how it will affect the neighbours. Whether it’s noisy works during certain times, working on shared walls or simply dust, construction can impact those living on the same level.
A well-renovated flat can also increase its rental value. It can attract tenants and boost the overall return on your investment.
Planning
When renovating a flat, it is important to plan the entire project before starting any works. This helps ensure that your renovations are structurally sound and within budget. In addition, planning allows you to prioritize your goals and allocate resources appropriately. For example, you may decide to spend more money on high-quality materials in the master bathroom, while saving in other areas. This will help you achieve your goal of updating your apartment and increase its resale value.
Depending on the extent of your renovation, you might need to obtain the proper permissions from the condo board or homeowner’s association. This will require a thorough inspection of your plans and the work itself. This process usually takes a while, but is worth it in the end. It will also help you avoid costly mistakes and delays.
Another important aspect of planning is finding your contractors and materials. You should always get quotes from a few different companies, and use recommendations and reviews to choose the right people. Be sure to set a realistic timeline and communicate with your contractor regularly. A good idea is to set up a payment schedule tied to specific project milestones (such as rough-in, drywall and completion).
Finally, it is a good idea to talk to your neighbours before beginning any renovations. This will help you avoid any flat renovation problems that might arise during the work, such as noise or dust. It will also help you inform them of any stipulations that your condominium might have, such as restricting access to common areas or requiring tradesmen to wear shoe covers when entering the apartment.
Finding your contractors and materials
While a property refurbishment can be daunting, especially in NYC, the right professionals can transform your flat into the dream space that you have always wanted. Finding reputable contractors and materials is the first step to success. To do this, you can start by canvassing your network for recommendations, or even checking with your co-op or condo board to see if anyone has worked with them before.
As you narrow down your list of contractors, make sure to ask for references and detailed estimates. This will help you compare rates between the candidates and make a well-informed decision. You should also be sure to inquire about the contractors’ insurance coverage, and whether they carry general liability, worker’s compensation, and/or property damage.
You should also be sure to ask the contractor about the type of materials and products that they use. This will help you determine if they are a good fit for your project, and will prevent any surprises down the line. For example, you should make sure that the contractor uses ROCKWOOL insulation solutions in their projects, which can save you money on heating bills in winter and summer, protect your home from mould and damp, and improve air quality.
Finally, you should also discuss the frequency of communication during the renovation. This can be as simple as a daily or weekly email summary, or it could involve a more spotty schedule of text messages and phone calls.
Getting the right permissions
If you live in a flat, it’s more difficult to carry out renovation work than if you own your house. There are more people involved and a different set of rules and regulations to consider. This can make flat upgrades more complex, especially if you’re doing work that needs planning permission or that affects land boundaries and party walls.
Building work that requires approval from your local council is usually subject to a planning process that can take up to eight weeks. This can be made through the Planning Portal online service, although you’ll need to submit a number of supporting documents in order to get the go ahead.
You’ll also need to get permission from your hospitality renovation companies landlord if you’re upgrading your flat as part of a leasehold agreement (rather than owning the freehold of the property). This can be more challenging, and your building manager will likely have their own architect and engineers on hand to review and approve your plans for any structural changes.
You’ll also need to notify your neighbours if you’re carrying out a substantial refurb that might disrupt their lives. This is typically done with a formal letter of notification that includes the details of your renovation in progress, including the times when you’ll be working. This is a polite way to inform your neighbours that you’ll be in a temporary state of construction, and to remind them that they can contact you or your builders directly if they have any concerns.
Sticking to your budget
One of the most important things to do when renovating is to stick to your budget. The amount of money you have available will dictate what kinds of services you can hire, and it can also affect the kind of products that you can buy. Higher-end products are often more expensive than their lower-end counterparts, so it’s a good idea to do some comparison shopping before making any purchases.
A good way to keep track of your renovation costs is to use a spreadsheet. This will help you keep a clear record of everything you’re spending and where your money is going. It’s also a good idea to have a separate account for your renovation, and to purchase items using this account to avoid mixing up personal expenses with renovation costs.
Another thing to remember is that the cost of labor can vary widely. It’s best to find contractors who offer competitive rates and who have experience with your type of project. It’s also important to remember that it’s not always worth going with the lowest quote, as low-quality work can actually reduce the value of your home.
Also, be sure to consider living expenses and boarding pets during the renovation process. It can be a costly inconvenience to live without a kitchen or to have your pet sleep outside.
