12-Week Renovation Checklist

Renovating a home is exciting, but without a plan, it can quickly become overwhelming. This week-by-week checklist breaks down the entire process into manageable steps, helping you stay organized, on budget, and on schedule. Whether you're tackling a kitchen remodel, adding an extension, or undertaking a full house refurbishment, this guide will help you navigate the journey with confidence.

Week 1-2: Planning & Budgeting

The most critical phase of any renovation happens before a single sledgehammer swings. Spending adequate time on planning and budgeting can save you thousands of pounds and countless headaches down the line. This is where dreams meet reality, and careful consideration now pays dividends throughout your project.

1. Define Your Scope

Determine exactly what you want to renovate. Is it a kitchen extension, loft conversion, full house refurbishment, or perhaps a basement conversion? Be specific about your goals, needs, and must-haves versus nice-to-haves.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What's the primary purpose of this renovation? (More space, modernization, accessibility, or property value?)
• Are there specific problems you're trying to solve? (Drafty windows, inadequate lighting, poor flow?)
• What's your absolute budget ceiling, including a 15-20% contingency buffer?
• What's your ideal timeline, and is it realistic?
• Will you live in the property during works or need temporary accommodation?

Create a vision board or mood board with images, materials, and inspiration from magazines, Pinterest, or Houzz. This helps communicate your ideas clearly to professionals and keeps you focused on your goals.

2. Research Planning Permission

Before you can apply for planning permission, check with your local council if your project requires it. In the UK, many home improvements fall under permitted development rights, but this varies significantly depending on your location, property type, and the extent of works.

Projects typically requiring planning permission include:

• Extensions that exceed certain size limits (usually 4m for detached, 3m for semi-detached at rear)
• Loft conversions on houses within conservation areas or with volume limits exceeded
• Converting a house into flats or subdividing a flat
• Two-storey extensions
• Works on listed buildings
• Significant alterations to rooflines
• Adding dormer windows to front elevations

Permitted development typically covers:

• Most single-story rear extensions (subject to size and height limits)
• Loft conversions with roof lights (not dormers)
• Internal alterations and renovations
• Conservatories and porches (within certain limits)
• Window and door replacements (subject to building regulations)

Pro tip: Even if you believe you have permitted development rights, apply for a Lawful Development Certificate. This provides written confirmation from your council that your project is lawful without needing full planning permission— invaluable for future property sales.

3. Establish Your Budget

Create a comprehensive budget that covers all aspects of your renovation. Be realistic about costs and include a contingency fund of at least 15-20% for unforeseen issues.

Budget categories to consider:

• Design & professional fees: Architect, structural engineer, planning consultant (if needed)
• Statutory fees: Planning application fees, building control fees, utility connections
• Construction costs: Materials, labor, scaffolding, waste disposal
• Fixtures & fittings: Kitchen, bathroom, flooring, windows, doors
• Appliances: White goods, heating system, air conditioning
• Contingency: 15-20% of total budget for unexpected problems
• Living expenses: Temporary accommodation, storage, eating out if kitchen unusable

Cost per square metre guidelines (UK, 2025):

• Basic renovation: £800-£1,200 per m²
• Mid-range renovation: £1,200-£1,800 per m²
• High-end renovation: £1,800-£3,000+ per m²

Remember: The cheapest quote isn't always the best value. Consider the quality of materials, workmanship standards, warranty offered, and the contractor's reputation alongside price.

Week 3-4: Design & Planning

Now that you have a clear scope, it's time to start the design process. This is where your vision starts to take shape, transforming abstract ideas into concrete plans that can be built. Professional design is not just about aesthetics—it's about functional efficiency, structural integrity, and regulatory compliance.

4. Hire an Architect or Designer

For major renovations, hiring a professional can save you time and money in the long run. The right architect will challenge your assumptions, suggest alternatives you hadn't considered, and navigate regulatory requirements on your behalf.

When to hire an architect:

• Extensions and structural alterations
• Loft or basement conversions
• Complete property renovations
• Projects requiring planning permission
• Complex space reconfigurations
• Listed building works (requires specialist conservation architect)

Choosing the right architect:

1. Check qualifications: RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) membership for UK
2. Review portfolio: Look for similar projects in scale and style
3. Request references: Speak to previous clients about communication and problem-solving
4. Understand the process: Clarify what's included—design only, design and build, or full project management
5. Discuss fees: Most charge 5-15% of construction cost, with different rates for different service stages

Initial meetings should cover:

• Your brief, budget, and timeline
• Site visit and assessment of constraints
• Your architect's approach and proposed process
• Fee structure and payment schedule
• Design inspiration and preferences

5. Create Detailed Drawings

Work with your architect to create detailed drawings that meet building regulations and planning requirements. These drawings are the blueprint for your entire project—every measurement, material, and specification must be accurately documented.

Types of drawings you'll need:

1. Sketch designs/scheme design: Initial concepts exploring options
2. Planning drawings: For planning application submission (elevations, floor plans, site plan)
3. Building regulations drawings: Detailed construction drawings showing compliance
4. Structural calculations: From a structural engineer for load-bearing elements
5. Electrical and plumbing layouts: For services routing and positioning
6. 3D visualizations: To help you understand the finished space

Key considerations in drawings:

• Maximum use of natural light and ventilation
• Efficient flow and circulation between spaces
• Integration of storage solutions
• Heating and cooling distribution
• Accessibility and future-proofing
• External appearance and relationship to neighboring properties

6. Specify Materials and Finishes

While drawings define the structure, your specification defines the quality and character of finishes. This is where your budget decisions have major impacts—allocating more to visible, frequently used elements (kitchens, bathrooms, flooring) and less to concealed elements where standard quality suffices.

Create a specification document covering:

• Flooring: Material type, quality grade, underlay, installation method
• Walls & ceilings: Plaster finish types, paint specifications, wall coverings
• Joinery: Door styles, architrave profiles, skirting boards, staircase details
• Kitchen & bathroom units: Cabinet quality, worktop materials, appliance specifications
• Windows & doors: Glazing specification (U-values), frame material, hardware
• Ironmongery: Handles, hinges, locks, and other fittings
• External works: Driveway, landscaping, fencing, drainage

Having a detailed specification helps contractors provide accurate quotes and prevents disputes about what's included.

Week 5-6: Finding Contractors

With your designs and specifications in hand, it's time to find the right team to bring your vision to life. The quality of your contractor relationship will significantly impact your experience and final result. Treat this process like an interview—you're hiring a partner for a significant period of your life.

7. Get Multiple Quotes

Don't settle for the first contractor you find. Get at least three detailed quotes to compare prices, approaches, and value propositions. This process reveals the market rate for your project and helps identify which contractors truly understand your requirements.

Request detailed quotations including:

• Breakdown of all work stages
• Material specifications and quantities
• Labor costs per work type
• Timeline and start/end dates
• Payment schedule (typically stage payments aligned with work completion)
• Exclusions (explicitly state what's NOT included)
• Warranty and guarantees offered
• Insurance and public liability coverage

Red flags in quotes:

• Significantly lower than others (too good to be true usually is)
• Vague descriptions of work
• No breakdown or single lump sum
• Large upfront payment requests (>10-20% deposit is excessive)
• No mention of building control or compliance
• No written terms and conditions