Getting Started

How to plan, sequence and budget a renovation from scratch: what to decide first, what order the work goes in, and where first-timers lose money.

Notes on Getting Started

Getting Started

How to Renovate a House: The Complete UK Guide

Everything you need to plan a UK house renovation: costs, order of works, permissions, managing contractors, and snagging. Real 2026 figures.

Pillar note · Published 30 Dec 2025 · 12 min read
Getting Started

Living Through a Renovation

Practical guide to staying safe and sane while living through a renovation: dust control, utility disruptions, contractor management, and when to move out.

Note · Published 4 Jul 2026 · 9 min read
Getting Started

Self-Build & Custom Build Basics

A practical UK introduction to self-build and custom build homes: costs, finance, planning, and the key decisions every prospective self-builder must make.

Note · Published 3 Jul 2025 · 9 min read
Getting Started

Renovate or Rebuild? How to Decide

Renovate or knock down and rebuild? The key factors: condition, cost, planning and VAT, with real UK figures to guide the call.

Note · Published 26 Nov 2025 · 10 min read
Getting Started

Renovation Order of Works

The correct renovation order of works prevents costly rework. Follow this sequence: from structural work to decorating, for any UK home refurbishment project.

Note · Published 30 Jun 2026 · 8 min read
Getting Started

Where to Start When Renovating a House

Not sure where to begin your renovation? A structural survey and condition check should come first: before any cosmetic work. Here's how to prioritise.

Note · Published 9 Feb 2025 · 7 min read

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