This post focuses on the positives and planning – if you want to read about what could go wrong to prepare yourself – see blog here
This blog details:
- How to plan your renovation before you have the keys
- How to make plans based on one viewing
- My favourite resources to use for inspiration
- How to utilise price comparisons to your advantage
- How to save time now before you get the keys
- Important points to remember before completion
Let’s say you’ve had an offer accepted on your dream home (that needs some TLC) but you’ll be living in it upon completion and want to know the best plan to design your own house and have a quick turnaround time; let me see if I can help!
I’m kind of stating the obvious, but ‘organisation’ is key here! I absolutely love a good list – many lists.
I write them on the notes on my phone so they can be easily edited but also handwritten notepads and go home planner mode.
How to make plans based on one viewing – Video/photograph the property if possible!
This of course depends on whether the property is empty or not and whether the owner gives permission as it could be seen as quite invasive. I consider it the best method for reviewing rather than requesting more and more viewings – especially as they are quite rushed. I re-watch the video and make a note of the following:
- Work that needs doing
- Work that may need doing and can only be confirmed once you rip things up etc
- Styles/ideas that you think would suit the space
This will then give you an idea of the work required and therefore the tradespeople required. If you can do the work yourselves then that is, of course, a huge bonus. Try not to rely too much on friends or family or at least consider a plan B if they become too busy to do the intended work and work stops.
My favourite sources for inspiration:
Look around for inspiration, which can help you decide on the styles you’d like to go for.
www.Pinterest.com – a great source for inspiration and you can save to separately titled pinboards
Here is a link to my personal Pinterest board – I regularly add inspiration and content you can shop! CLICK HERE
When you have an idea of styles you can then begin google searches for a rough guide as to how much these specific styles will cost you. For example; you love the idea of a traditionally styled bathroom with a large copper bath like this:
You then realise it is nearly £3k for most models and decide that is too expensive. You can then go to plan B on styles rather than not knowing g price and having your heart set on something you can’t afford.
Here is a cheaper copper style option at only £999
Another advantage of this is if you really do NEED the copper bath as a feature – you could now assess where else you could cut costs to allocate the extra money towards the bath. Doing all these time-consuming searches now is much more beneficial than when you have the keys and want to spend time stripping the property out and doing as much as you can to save money!
The more you research, decide and plan ahead of the competition – the more you can get the ball rolling as soon as you have the keys!
Some items have huge backlogs even still since covid’s production/supply delays so please bear this in mind as well. You may not want a huge bath or ceiling lantern in your way but sometimes with the delivery delays – it may be better than holding up your project for months (quite literally sometimes!) I know of so many people that had huge delays in glass orders, including ourselves, and windows are ‘quite’ an important aspect to be missing = serious disruption in progress.
Important points to remember before completion:
Of course, style choices can change when you finally get a better understanding of the house and things progress so stay flexible within your decision-making.
Can a seller back out of an accepted offer ?
Yes they can – It is worth noting that nothing is 100% until it has legally completed and the keys are in your hand! Sales falling through happen every day and they can be heart-wrenching! Only involve spare time that you can afford to give during the planning stage and do not physically buy anything or spend money until you legally own the property.
Let me know your thoughts! Have you found this helpful? Is there anything you would add to it?
Leave a comment below – Would love to hear from you!
Remember to seek professional advice at all key stages – this is just my opinion!