Checklist

Use our handy checklist to guide you through your renovation step-by-step.

Select type of renovation
  • Ground floor extension
  • First floor extension
  • Two storey extension
  • Loft conversion
  • Basement conversion
  • Garage conversion
  • Internal
Select rooms
  • Kitchen
  • Utility room
  • Bathroom
  • En-suite

1

Getting started

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Read our guides to extensions

Familiarise yourself with extensions by reading your guide - extensions
If you need some tips on where to get started, read our article on 11 things you should consider before planning an extension
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Read our guides to extensions
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Check if your home has any restrictions or limitations

Check on your local authority website whether you home is in a green belt area. Your local authority will be able to confirm any restrictions that apply.
Check on your local authority website whether you home is in a conservation area. Your conservation officer will be able to provide more information.
If you think your home may be listed, check Historic England/Scotland/Wales/Northern Ireland to confirm. If your building is listed then you will require listed building consent (seperate to planning permission), even for small alterations to the building. It is a criminal offence to alter a listed building without consent.
If you are a leaseholder, check your lease to find out if you need freeholder's consent to make any changes to your home
Confirm there are no restrictions in place in the deeds of your home. Some homes have limitations imposed during build. You can purchase the deeds for a small fee on the government's website.
Be aware of any other restrictions on your property, these include tree preservation orders and protected species. These may impact the site preperation as well as planning applications. Visit the planning portal for the most common consents.
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Check if your home has any restrictions or limitations
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Ask around for advice and tips on your renovation

Ask friends / family who have done a similar renovation for any tips and anything to watch out for
Look for a home in your area which has been recently renovated and knock on their door! People love others admiring and asking about their newly renovated homes!
If you love their style and build quality, you might also want to ask which professional they used and whether they would recommend them
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Ask around for advice and tips on your renovation
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Decide what you would like from your renovation

Assess how you currently live in your home i.e. where do you spend most of your time?
Pull together a list of everything you would like to achieve from your renovation, such as an extra bedroom or open plan living
If you are feeling creative use your current floor plan and sketch out your ideas!
Estimate the size of your additional living space in square metres - you will need this when you get to your high level budget
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Decide what you would like from your renovation
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Do your high level budget

Check out our cost calculator for a high level cost for your project
Go into your budget tool and input your high level budget figure
Confirm how you are financing your renovation
If you are looking to add value from your renovation, ask a couple of local estate agents to give guidance on how much value your project will add in your area
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Do your high level budget
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2

Design and applications

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Find the best architect for your project

Match your project with the best architects near you
Check out your shortlisted architects' portfolio of work, making sure you like their style of work.
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Find the best architect for your project
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Invite architects to quote

Make a list of what you require from your architect. For further guidance read our article on what can my architect do for me.
Speak to each of your shortlisted architects, inviting them to quote for your project.
Review your quotes, the services provided and decide on your preferred architect
Agree the final quote and timelines with your prefered architect
Ask to see a copy of their professional indemnity insurance and check it covers your project
Ask your architect to provide an indication of the planning permission and building control fees - this is normally not included in their fees
Update your 'Professional fees and application costs' section of your budget tool with the quoted figures
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Invite architects to quote
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Agree the design

Discuss what you would like from your renovation with your architect
Review all of your architects ideas and drawings
Get an indication of build cost from your architect based on your drawings. You may want to change your plans if the cost is likely to exceed your budget.
Agree your plans and drawings with your architect
Discuss your plans with your neighbours and chat through any initial concerns. We would recommend that you consider this even if you don't need planning permission.
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Agree the design
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Submit planning permission

Check with your architect as to whether you need to apply for planning permission. You can also check on your local authorities website or read our article your guide - permitted development for more guidance.
Familiarise yourself on the planning permission process by reading your guide - planning permission
Apply for pre-application advice from your local authority if you want feedback on your application ahead of applying for planning permission
Apply for planning permission if you need to do so. Your architect will be able to do this for you.
Update your budget tool with the pre-application advice quote if required
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Submit planning permission
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Submit your building control application

Familiarise yourself with the building regulations process by reading your guide - building regulations
Instruct the structural engineer to prepare drawings for building control based on your plan. It’s best to wait until planning permission has been approved unless you are confident that your plans will be approved and no changes will be required.
Submit the drawings for building regulations. This is normally carried out by your architect or structural engineer.
Update your budget tool with the confirmed building control cost. This can be found on your local authority website.
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Submit your building control application
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Check out other notices and permissions

Chat to your architect to advise you on all the other types of notices and permissions you may need to consider
Read our articles expert advice - party wall act and expert advice - right to light if you think they apply to your renovation
Update your budget tool with any additional notices and permissions costs. You can do this by clicking the "Add new item" button at the bottom of the section.
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Check out other notices and permissions
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3

Find a builder

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Search for builders

If you are working with an architect then they will be able to recommend a good builder or help you find several to choose from. Otherwise ask family, friends and neighbours for recommendations in your local area.
Check that the builders have experience in your type of project
Draw up a shortlist of builders for a quote. We would recommend asking 3-5 builders to quote.
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Search for builders
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Invite builders to quote

Prepare your builder's brief. The 'Labour and build cost' section in our budget tool will guide you through the main areas.
Make sure you have planning permission and building control drawings in addition to the builder's brief
Ask your shortlist of builders for an approximate start date. You may find that they are not availble when you would need them.
Invite your shortlist of builders to quote for the work
Ask your builders to visit your home to go through the plans. This will allow them to update the brief if neccessary.
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Invite builders to quote
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Review the quotes

Confirm whether each builder is VAT registered and remember to add VAT to their quote if they are!
Compare your builders’ quotes. Remember the cheapest won't necessarily be the best.
Select your preferred builder
Update your budget tool with your builder's initial detailed quote and see how you're doing vs your initial budget
If you are going over your budget, look at removing work from the brief that is non-essential or that you can do yourself
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Review the quotes
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Do some background work on your preferred builder

Ask for references from your builder, particularly if they haven't been recommended
Visit a project that your builder is currently carrying out
Ask to see your builder’s insurance certificates and check their trade associations. Read our article on which certificates should my builder have, to help look for the main ones.
Confirm whether your builder will use a 3rd party for any jobs throughout your renovation. If they do, make sure the 3rd party have the appropriate insurance certificates and trade associations.
Check your builder’s guarantee! We recommend asking for at least 12 months.
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Do some background work on your preferred builder
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Instruct your preferred builder to carry out the work

Agree a price and a start date
Update your budget tool with the finalised detailed build cost quotes. Any extra items can be added in by clicking the "Add new item" button at the bottom of the section.
Agree a contract with your builder. If you need some help, read our expert advice - builder contracts.
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Instruct your preferred builder to carry out the work
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4

Interior design and products

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Discuss sourcing products with your builder

Check if your builder can pass on any trade discounts
Confirm with your builder any products you would like them to source, such as windows and boilers
Agree which products you would like your builder to install. Some warranties will only hold if the supplier installs them so bare this in mind when you are getting supplier quotes.
Have fun choosing your products but hold off ordering until you have agreed all products and lead times with your builder!
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Discuss sourcing products with your builder
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Choose your kitchen

Have a look online for kitchen style inspiration! Read our article on 7 things to consider when planning your kitchen, for some tips!
Find the best kitchen designer near you to help design your kitchen
Write out a list of what you want from your kitchen such as an island unit, pantry or informal seating
Measure your kitchen space including ceiling height, windows and doors
Arrange appointments with your selected kitchen companies making the most of their design service
Ask for quotes on a supply only basis if you have agreed with your builder for them to install the kitchen
Choose your preferred kitchen design and supplier, confirming lead times and cost
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Choose your kitchen
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Choose your bathroom

Have a look online for bathroom inspiration! Read our article on how to design your bathroom like a pro, for some tips!
Write out a list of what you want from your bathroom such as a kids friendly bath or a walk in shower
Measure your bathroom space including ceiling height, windows and doors
Arrange appointments with your selected bathroom companies making the most of their design service
Ask for quotes on a supply only basis if you have agreed with your builder for them to install the bathroom
Choose your preferred bathroom design and supplier, confirming lead times and cost
Update your budget tool with your detailed bathroom quote
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Choose your bathroom
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Choose your windows and doors

Have a look online for windows and doors style inspiration! Check out these advice articles for some tips:
Your guide - new windows
Expert advice - bi-fold doors
Expert advice - sliding doors
Speak to your builder about sourcing windows and doors too, as they may be able to pass on trade discounts
Write a list of all new windows and doors and their measurements
Arrange appointments with your selected companies
Ask for quotes on a supply only basis if you have agreed with your builder for them to install the windows and doors
Choose your preferred windows and door company, confirming lead times and cost
Update your budget tool with your windows and doors quote
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Choose your windows and doors
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Choose your other interior products

Take a look through the 'Heating' and 'Decor and finishing' sections in your budget tool and make a list of the products you are sourcing yourself
Order samples online for products such as flooring to get an idea of how they look in your home with your lighting
Make use of free services from the experts such as help choosing colour schemes from leading paint companies
Visit any showrooms you would like to see a sample of products such as flooring and lighting
Confirm lead times and costs for all products
Update your budget tool with the quotes you've got for these products
Going over budget? Look at changing some products such as flooring and paint to make big savings.
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Choose your other interior products
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Discuss layouts with your builder

Show any kitchen and bathroom designs to your builder
Confirm that everything will work well including the plumbing and dimensions
Listen to your builder! A good builder will give feedback on anything that they think won't work, including layout and products.
Talk through the lead times with your builder to ensure you place orders at the right time
Make sure you have space to store large items if they arrive early if the supplier can't store them
Order your products as agreed with your builder
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Discuss layouts with your builder
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5

Before and during the build

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Agree ways of working with your builder

Confirm how often you will meet on site
Agree how you would like to communicate - email may work better than over the phone if any issues pop up
If you are going on holiday for part of the build, ask for regular photos to see the progress
Agree a process for overspends on budget rather than waiting until the end of the build
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Agree ways of working with your builder
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Prepare for the work to begin!

Contact your insurance provider to confirm you are starting work to your home. Discuss the work being carried out and whether you will be vacating the property.
Pack away any items that will get in the way of the build. Anything you leave out may get damaged. You may want to put large items such as sofas in storage.
Confirm how you will live if you are staying on site - set up a cooking area with a microwave and kettle if have no kitchen
Leave out essentials for the builders such as mugs, an old kettle and tea and coffee so that they can make their own refreshments
Every renovation has it's challenges, try and keep calm and stay positive, it will be worth it in the end!
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Prepare for the work to begin!
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Keep in regular contact with your builder

Keep in touch with your builder as agreed before the build
Discuss issues as they arise with the builder. Things will go wrong and an honest dialogue will smooth out any issues.
Regularly check in with the builder to make sure their timelines are on track
Check in with your builder on your products and when they arriving. They may want to delay the arrival based on progress.
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Keep in regular contact with your builder
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6

After the build

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Write out your snagging list

As you approach the end of the build, have a walk round and make a snagging list
Agree with your builder when they will come to fix any issues
Withhold final payment as agreed in your contract until snagging has been fixed
Put in your diary to call your builder ahead of their guarantee expiration (normally 12 months) to confirm if there are any issues to fix before the guarantee runs out
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Write out your snagging list
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Have your paperwork in place

Apply for any warranties on products - many have to be sent off to be activated
Store all of your warranties in a safe place
Call your insurance provider to confirm the change to your home. Your current policy may not cover an extensions or conversions to your home.
If your project was within permitted development, apply for a lawful development certificate
Make sure you recieve your building regulation certificate and keep it in a safe place
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Have your paperwork in place
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Share the love!

Share your before and after pics on instagram #loverenovate
Give feedback to your professionals, tradesmen and suppliers. If they are good recommend them to family & friends.
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Share the love!
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