The turn of the new year brings a unique opportunity, especially for homeowners looking to revamp their spaces. January, often a quieter month following the Christmas hustle, is the perfect time to channel your energy into planning a home renovation project. With a slower pace, it’s an ideal period to get ahead of the crowd for thorough preparation and securing better deals:-
The Benefits of Starting in January
January’s calm offers a strategic advantage in home renovation planning. During this month, contractors are typically less booked, potentially leading to more favorable negotiation terms and attentive service. It’s a time when you can plan extensively without the pressure of rushed decisions.
Finance
A successful renovation starts with solid financial planning. Setting a realistic budget and exploring financing options, like home improvement loans, should be your initial steps. The economy is doing well and contractors have been very busy for the last few years but if you have the finance in place, your job will be more attractive. An Post, Bank of Ireland, AIB and the Credit Union are good places to look for home improvement loans with rates starting at 6.8% APR over 1-7 years at the time of writing.
Planning Permission
Renovations may require require planning permission in certain circumstances. Use January to research these requirements if you haven’t done so already. Getting your paperwork in order early can prevent delays once the renovation work begins, ensuring a smoother project flow. You can find out more information about how to apply for planning permission from the Citizens Information website or by searching Google using the keywords ‘planning permission [put your county here] county council’. An architect or engineer will also be able to do this on your behalf.
Plans and Drawings
This quieter time is also perfect for working on your drawings. Whether you’re eyeing a modern kitchen makeover or a cozy attic conversion, detailed planning now will pay off later. Consider consulting with an architect who can do the drawings for your proposed project and advise and organise planning permission if required. Again, because contractors have been so busy in recent years, well prepared plans will be more likely to attract a contractor to take on your job and give a competitive quote if there are less unknowns.
Selecting the Right Contractor
Your choice of contractor can make or break your renovation project. Take your time to vet potential contractors, check their references, and compare quotes. Clear, upfront communication about your project’s scope, budget, and timeline is essential for a successful partnership.
Finalising Details and Scheduling With your contractor selected, nail down the finer details of your project. Finalise material selections, finishes, and confirm the project timeline. Effective scheduling, considering factors like material delivery and weather conditions, is crucial for a timely and efficient renovation. If the contractor is managing everything, it’s more straight forward. If you are managing the project yourself, work out well in advance, the sequence of when each tradesman is required and book them at least 2 -3 months in advance as they have been incredibly busy.
Conclusion
Leveraging the slow January season for planning and preparing your home renovation can set the stage for a successful and satisfying project. With the right financial groundwork, planning permission, drawings, and the perfect team, your dream renovation is well within reach. To get quotes from Builders, architects and engineers, all you need to do is post your job on Tradesmen.ie at https://www.tradesmen.ie/trades and get up to 4 quotes for your job.
Why wait? Start your renovation journey today. Begin with your budget, check those regulations, and let your design ideas flow. A well-planned project started in January can lead to incredible transformations by year’s end!
Cheers
Oliver Dempsey
Tradesmen.ie
5 January 2024
General Tips for hiring a tradesman
Here are some tips to consider when hiring a tradesman:-
1. Ask for phone numbers of references so that you can check them out
2. Check insurance of the tradesman where insurance is required
3. Hire a suitably qualified architect, building surveyor or building engineer if the job is anything to do with a new build, building renovation or extension
4. Agree on some sort of stage payments for the job. Remember that full payment should not be made until the job is complete and has been inspected by you, and if necessary by a certifier.
