How Do You Handle Home Renovations? Your Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Nothing beats the buzz of transforming your home. Whether you’re dreaming of a designer kitchen where you can cook up a storm, a cosy open-plan living area that’s great for family life, or a new heating system that slashes those eye-watering winter bills.

Home renovations are exciting… but they can also be nerve-wracking. Deadlines to meet, budgets to stick to, choices to make. And then of course there’s all the unexpected stuff that crops up at the worst possible time when you don’t have a good handle on the process.

If you don’t plan it right, your dream home makeover could turn into a costly and stressful nightmare.

At LB Group, we’ve seen hundreds of UK homeowners through the process of updating or overhauling their homes. From small-scale makeovers to full property renovations, one thing is crystal clear: the best home projects are the ones that involve a little bit of imagination and a whole lot of planning and professional attention to detail.

In this step-by-step guide, we’re going to show you how to take control of your own home renovation project from beginning to end. We’ll give you the lowdown on setting goals, working out the budget, hiring the right team and keeping the project on track. You’ll find some helpful hints on squeezing in energy-efficient upgrades, managing common challenges and making sure you end up with a finished product you’ll be proud to show off.

Let’s get stuck in!

Understanding Your Renovation Goals

Renovating with a clear sense of purpose is the key to making smart choices when faced with a hundred different decisions (kitchen worktops or flooring?).

First up, let’s take a minute to understand exactly why you’re transforming your home in the first place.

Identify Your “Why”

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you want to improve comfort and functionality in your home?
  
• Are you looking for more space to fit in growing families?
  
• Is increasing your property’s resale value a goal?
  
• Are you hoping to lower running costs long-term with more efficient systems and materials?
  

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Goals

• Short-term: Readying your home to put on the market, resolving urgent repairs, making small updates to dated spaces.
  
• Long-term: Creating your “forever home” with custom features, high-quality finishes and low-maintenance features.

We often come across homeowners who have mixed aims for the home. A common one we see: lifestyle needs plus a financial goal. For example, upgrading an old heating system as part of a kitchen/bathroom renovation increases comfort and functionality now, while also making the property more attractive to future buyers.

Setting a Realistic Budget

The key to a successful home renovation budget? Preparation.

Factor in All the Costs

• Labour & contractor fees.
  
• Materials/fixtures.
  
• Permit/inspection fees.
  
• Utility upgrades (boilers, wiring, plumbing etc.).
  
• Contingency fund (10–15% of the total budget) for unexpected costs.
  

Must-Haves vs. Nice-to-Haves

Focus on essentials first:

• Structural improvements.
  
• Energy efficiency.
  
• Functional changes.
  

Decorative touches and luxury items can come later.

From a green energy and heating perspective, budget for efficiency upgrades early. For example, replacing an old boiler during renovations avoids ripping up finished floors later and cuts long-term costs immediately.

Planning the Renovation Timeline

Renovation work takes time, so be realistic.

Typical UK Renovation Timeline

• Planning & design: 2–6 weeks.
  
• Permits & approvals: 2–8 weeks.
  
• Construction/installation: Weeks to months.
  
• Finishing & inspection: 1–4 weeks.
  

Don’t Forget Seasonal Factors

• Heating system upgrades: Best scheduled in warmer months.
  
• Outdoor projects: Conservatories, decking, or outdoor kitchens should be planned for dry, mild weather.
  

In one renovation, the heating system installation was timed alongside new carpet and flooring fitting, ensuring underfloor heating was installed before the floors were finished saving time, effort, and money.

Choosing the Right Professionals

Why You Need Expert Help

• Building regulations: Compliance with UK standards is essential.
  
• Quality workmanship/materials: Professionals have experience and industry connections.
  
• Reduced risk of costly mistakes: Experts can troubleshoot and adapt to unexpected findings.
  

How to Vet Contractors

• Ask for references and previous work examples.
  
• Look for specialist credentials.
  

The Role of LB Group

We focus on green energy and efficient heating systems, working alongside builders, electricians, and architects to ensure our installations fit seamlessly into the bigger picture. We’re also happy to recommend trusted contractors to our clients.

Preparing Your Home

Renovation projects don’t start when the first tile is broken, the first pipe is ripped open or the first brick is knocked down. You and your family have a part to play too. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get ready for a renovation.

Preparation Tips

• Declutter and store valuables away from work zones.
  
• Protect floors, furniture, and fixtures in other areas.
  
• Set up temporary living or kitchen areas if needed.
  
• Ensure all household members are aware of the disruption.
  

Managing the Renovation Process

1 Staying Organised

• Use a project management app or spreadsheet.
  
• Keep a renovation folder or cloud file for contracts, receipts, and permits.
  

2 Quality Control

• Monitor progress regularly.
  
• Address issues quickly to avoid delays.
  

3 Budget Tracking

• Compare weekly spend to budget.
  
• Adjust plans if necessary.
  

4 Decision Making

• Be reachable for questions.
  
• Have contingency material choices ready.
  

We were recently part of a full house renovation and our timing of the heating installation needed to be coordinated with the new flooring work. By working with the installers and builders, we managed to get the underfloor heating system installed at the right stage to avoid any damage and save our client both time and money.

Handling Common Renovation Challenges

Okay, things rarely go 100% according to plan. There are a hundred and one small (and not-so-small) things that can crop up and derail your plans. How do you prepare and manage the inevitable?

1 Unexpected Structural Problems

Old wiring, hidden leaks or subsidence issues can come to light mid-project.

Solution: Budget/plan for a 10–15% contingency to cover surprise issues like this.

2 Material Supply/Delivery Issues

Global supply chain stuff means costs and delivery times can change.

Solution: Order well in advance and have secondary suppliers ready.

3 Changing Your Mind Mid-Renovation

We’ve all been there, you start thinking you hate your chosen kitchen tiles or you see a different colour paint in a magazine. Changing your mind in the middle of a project = delays/cost overruns.

Solution: Finalise design choices before work begins and stick to your guns. If you really do need to change it, factor in the lost time/supplies/costs.

Heating system upgrades that require pipework rerouting mid-renovation is one challenge we’ve seen many homeowners face. By working closely with our contacts in the construction industry, we can usually help to keep things on track.

Also Read: How Do You Complete a Home Renovation?

Adding Energy-Efficient and Modern Features

Renovating is a great opportunity to make your home more efficient. And with greener and smarter technology coming on strong, it’s never been easier to squeeze more efficiency into your renovation.

Smart Upgrades to Consider

• Boilers: Upgrade to efficient, reliable models.
  
• Thermostats: Smart controls for better energy use.
  
• Insulation: Improve to keep heat in and bills down.
  
• Windows: Double/triple glazing with good energy ratings.
  

A whole-home makeover is the perfect time to fit upgrades — saving disruption later, cutting costs now, and boosting property value.

Post-Renovation Steps

Final Checks

• Create a snag list.
  
• Gather warranties, manuals, and compliance certificates.
  

Cleaning & Setup

• Deep clean before moving furniture back in.
  
• Optimise storage and layouts.
  

Maintenance Planning

• Schedule servicing for new installations (e.g., annual boiler checks).
  
• Keep records for insurance and resale purposes.
  

Conclusion

Successfully taking control of a home renovation takes some effort and attention. We hope our step-by-step guide above will help you understand the main parts of the project from setting goals to the planning, budgeting, quality control and more.

As long as you take the time to plan, budget, communicate and stay flexible, it’s possible to make your house renovation dreams come true with no more stress than you’d expect.

The most satisfying home renovations we see are the ones that don’t just look great but work better, are cheaper to run and will stand the test of time.

We’re delighted to say that at LB Group, we’ve helped countless UK homeowners incorporate green heating and energy solutions into their renovation plans. Our investment is sure to make your property more comfortable and efficient. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the first step in handling a home renovation?

The first step is defining your renovation goals. Decide whether your priority is improving comfort, adding space, increasing resale value, or boosting energy efficiency. This will guide every decision you make.

2. How much contingency budget should I set aside?

We recommend setting aside 10–15% of your total renovation budget for unexpected costs, such as structural issues or material delays.

3. When is the best time to schedule a heating system upgrade?

Ideally, plan heating upgrades during warmer months to avoid living without heat during the installation process.

4. How can I make my renovation more energy-efficient?

Consider installing a modern boiler, adding insulation, upgrading windows to double/triple glazing, and using smart thermostats for better energy control.

5. Should I hire separate contractors or one general contractor?

It depends on the project size and complexity. A general contractor can manage all trades, but for specialised systems (like heating), hiring experts ensures better results.