Planning your first home renovation can feel overwhelming — especially when you're juggling budgets, timelines, and trades you've never worked with before. Whether you're upgrading a kitchen, fitting a new bathroom, or renovating your entire property, the key is having a structured plan and the right team behind you.
Here's our step-by-step guide to help UK homeowners plan a stress-free, successful renovation from start to finish.
1. Define Your Renovation Goals
Before you start contacting builders or collecting quotes, get clear on what you actually want. Are you:
- Modernising a dated kitchen or bathroom?
- Creating more space with a house extension?
- Refurbishing a rental property or new purchase?
- Improving functionality for family life?
Write down your priorities — function, style, budget, timeline. This helps you (and your builder) stay on track throughout.
2. Set a Realistic Budget
Budget is more than just materials and labour. You'll need to account for:
- Design fees (if using an architect or interior designer)
- Planning permission (where required)
- Structural works or layout changes
- Fixtures, fittings, flooring, tiling
- Unexpected issues (always allow a 10–15% buffer)
Working with a company like Buildaway means you'll get one clear quote from day one — no hidden extras, no nasty surprises.
3. Choose the Right Building Team
One of the biggest pitfalls for first-time renovators is trying to manage multiple trades on their own. From plumbers to plasterers, things can get messy fast.
At Buildaway, we offer full project management — meaning one quote, one team, and one clear process. You'll never be chasing subcontractors or wondering who's on site.
Make sure your chosen builder:
- Is experienced with residential work
- Offers clear timelines and communication
- Provides a workmanship warranty
- Has positive reviews and case studies
4. Understand Permissions & Paperwork
Depending on the scale of your project, you may need:
- Planning permission (for extensions or layout changes)
- Building regulations approval
- Party wall agreements (for semi-detached/terraced homes)
A good builder will guide you through this process — or even liaise with local authorities on your behalf, like we do at Buildaway.
5. Create a Clear Timeline
Timelines vary depending on your project scope — a full property refurbishment can take several weeks, while a bathroom renovation might only require 7–10 days.
At Buildaway, we break down your entire project into clear stages — so you'll always know:
- What's happening
- Who's on site
- What comes next
Avoid builders who give vague answers. A clear plan means fewer delays and less stress.
6. Prepare Your Home (and Yourself)
Living through a renovation? It's noisy. It's dusty. It's temporary chaos. But a few smart steps can make it manageable:
- Pack up affected rooms in advance
- Set up a temporary kitchen or bathroom if needed
- Protect flooring, furniture, and valuables
- Let neighbours know if there'll be noise or parking disruption
With Buildaway, we keep disruption to a minimum and always clean up at the end of each day.
Final Thoughts
Your first renovation doesn't have to be stressful. With the right planning and a professional construction team, you can transform your home with confidence.
At Buildaway, we offer:
- End-to-end project management
- Clear timelines and transparent pricing
- Skilled, tidy, and respectful tradespeople
- Workmanship warranties on all labour
Whether you're renovating a bathroom in Bromley or extending a home in Kent — we've got you covered.