In essence, FadyReno isn't just about renovations; it's about building dreams, brick by brick, stroke by stroke. With a promise of quality, a legacy of trust, and a future of transformative projects, FadyReno beckons those seeking spaces that tell stories, exude charm, and stand the test of time.
New cladding, such as timber boarding or render can completely transform a house, as can new windows and doors — as the renovation of this 1970s property, designed by Remagination, proves. (Image credit: Jonathan Gooch)
It is important to look at the smaller details that you could change without breaking the bank before you take on a large-scale makeover — these are vital when it comes to creating kerb appeal. Small alterations to consider include:
Many of these changes can be carried out under Permitted Development, but if your home has a special designation (i.e. listed) these rights are removed.
Painting and staining should only begin once all second fix work and preparation is complete to ensure the building is clean and dust free — otherwise it will be impossible to get a good finish.
Shower enclosures and doors can be fitted once tiling is complete. Finally, once decorating is complete, any soft floor coverings, such as vinyl and carpet can be laid and the white goods such as the oven, hob, fridge and washing machine can be fitted.
Renovating a house provides the opportunity to combine original features such as timber floors, exposed brickwork and fireplaces with contemporary design (Image credit: Simon Maxwell)
Fix these problems as they arise, or, if you used tradesmen, ask them back, although expect to have to pay them for defects that are not their fault, such as plaster cracks.
If you used a main contractor, you may have held back a retention of 2.5-5% on the final payment. This sum is released once they have returned and resolved any defects.
There are four stages to being a grown man: Bachelorhood, Marriage, Kids, and Home Renovation. Home Renovation comes last because it sucks, and you will resist it with all your might, even more than you probably resisted stages two and three. I know I did. I saw other men go through the renovation process and emerge from it catatonic and bankrupt six times over. I heard nightmares of strained marriages and vindictive contractors, and I thought, I will never subject myself to that.
Oh, but I did. I had no choice, really. My kids were already big enough to kick through the walls. Something had to be done. I got a bank loan, then I got a cyanide tablet, just in case. But somehow, against all odds, I survived. I stared into the mouth of the dragon, and I slayed that fucker. Somehow, I kicked home renovation's ass. I WON. And now I am one of those smarmy middle-aged dipshits sitting comfortably in my newer, roomier home, ready to bequeath to you all of my wisdom, even if you didn't ask for it. Especially if you didn't ask for it.
Think about a realistic number for your project. Now add 10 percent. Now add another 10 percent. You have just established the baseline minimum of your spending.
You are placing your life in your contractor's hands, so do your homework. Scout out neighboring projects and Google their contractors. Probe for horror stories. Find out who knows all the latest zoning laws. And most important…
If he's also in the midst of building a $10 million pool house for some Russian asshole, guess which project takes priority? CURSE YOU, SERGEI.
I want a Ping-Pong table in the basement, and I don't wanna put my hand through a window when I go for a wicked backhand! Stuff like that. Once you get a proposed floor plan (OMG SO COOL!), pore over it with a jeweler's eye. Imagine yourself in your new home. How often will you be naked in this room? (Better frost those windows.) Are you going to bash your head into that overhang? (You will.) Is the sink close enough to the garbage drawer for you to toss out carrot peelings? Visualize it.
Especially over the kitchen sink. Have you ever washed a pot in the dark? Don't. Recessed lighting is the greatest invention in the history of humankind, and if I could, I would burn every existing lamp on earth in a giant pyre.
You're gonna spend all this money on a house only to end up staring at your stupid phone all day, anyway. So put outlets everywhere. I'd put an outlet in my face if I could.
Do you know how much tile there is in the world? I do. FUCK TILE. Not only do you have to determine the color of your tile, but you must also determine the size, shape, and pattern of that tile. And it's not just one tile. You may want a mix of contrasting shapes and styles. You may want the bottom of your pool to be a mosaic that says JIMMY'S GOT A BIG OL' DICK. You have to decide all of that. And the cost is breathtaking. You will never fully understand how wealthy wealthy people are until you find yourself in some showroom out in the boondocks, next to the swamp where they dump Mob informants, looking at a piece of tile that costs $300 a square foot. Whoever invented tile should be baked in a kiln.
I went to a fixture place and stared at a wall of faucets. There must have been a thousand of them. And that was just one wall. There were dozens of walls. My brain failed.
I wanted a stone fire pit. A big one. Real Druid-type shit. Turns out that stone fire pits are quite expensive. We do not have a fire pit. The fire-pit money went to the bathroom tile. I am only a little bitter.
Exterior House PaintingThe architect said it would be fine if we lived in the house during construction. He was wrong. When the crew began blasting through the walls and filling the house with 50 metric tons of gypsum dust, it became clear that we had to go. We lived at my in-laws' house for ten weeks. I took a lot of long walks.
Whoa, hey, that crystal flamingo we ordered for the master bedroom has arrived and it's a purple SWAN. We're not paying for that! Bob the Builder is getting an earful, that I can tell you!
Except: Don't. Don't ever do that. Your contractor spends every day working with his bare hands, listening to ignorant clients piss and moan because the crown molding they ordered was a millimeter too thick. He and his crew are ready to dislike you. So explain your concerns in a calm and specific manner. Take pride in being their one client who isn't a shithead.
They just tarred a roof in 100-degree weather for you and your brood of suburban trash. Maybe give them water and sandwiches and treat them like fellow humans. Renovation lays bare the economic stratification of society and brings it literally into your living room. The least you can do is pass around some lemon bars.
Maybe the shape of your new driveway looks like a giant penis on Google Earth. Maybe your new HVAC system is louder than a SpaceX rocket. Maybe Junior spilled some tomato sauce on your new Corinthian-marble countertop and permanently stained it, the little shit. Some stupid minor thing is going to gnaw at you, and it's only natural to seethe when you pay for perfection and don't get it.
But try hard not to, because this is how you become an asshole. If your contractor accidentally made your bedroom a sphere, you have a legitimate gripe. Otherwise, learn to love your new home. Once we moved back in, I was okay with imperfections, because at least we were in. There could have been a human skeleton in the drywall and I wouldn't have cared. We had survived.
Our project came in two months early and on budget, which is very rare, which means I get to brag about it in public. I can tell you what a joist is! I know about gas lines! I AM GOD. And once you get the renovation bug, it lingers. Now that your kitchen is so nice, doesn't that living room look a bit shabby? And haven't you always hated the taupe sink in the small bathroom? What if you added a helipad? That would be nice. Congratulations, you are a true homeowner now. And you won't stop until you drop dead in an unfinished parlor annex.
Our project came in two months early and on budget, which is very rare, which means I get to brag about it in public. I can tell you what a joist is! I know about gas lines! I AM GOD. And once you get the renovation bug, it lingers. Now that your kitchen is so nice, doesn't that living room look a bit shabby? And haven't you always hated the taupe sink in the small bathroom? What if you added a helipad? That would be nice. Congratulations, you are a true homeowner now. And you won't stop until you drop dead in an unfinished parlor annex.
Starting a home renovation is an exciting time, as you’re one step closer to making your dream home a reality. But when you get into the details, it can also feel overwhelming – especially if you’ve never completed one before. That’s why you need to plan your remodel well in advance. Use our tips for planning a home renovation to keep your worries at bay and your job on track.
Building a plan is crucial if you’re renovating a house with no experience. First, you should outline the work that needs to be done. This includes stating the end goal for your renovation and providing design inspiration for contractors. You should also note which rooms you want to renovate and which ones you plan to leave as-is.
You should start investigating local zoning regulations and permits early on in planning your home renovation. Make sure your neighborhood allows for your specific remodel (some renovations, like converting your garage into a room, are not allowed everywhere) and find out if you need a permit. If you’re completing a project that will change the structure of your home or how you use a room, you’ll most likely need to contact city officials.
If you do need a permit, wait to apply until you’ve hired a team and settled on a timeline. Your contractor may need to obtain a building permit depending on where you live.
How much you’re planning to spend on a home renovation determines the scope of your project. We’ll cover how to set a realistic budget for your remodel in step two of this post.
Remodeling a fixer-upper is more expensive and time-consuming than renovating a house that’s already in good shape. Remember this as you start planning your whole house remodel, as it impacts your budget and the projects you take on.
Preparing to put your house on the market or flip a property you just purchased? Set on living in your home for the foreseeable future? Whatever your life plans are, map out your home renovation accordingly. If you’re interested in raising resale value, you should tackle remodeling projects that increase ROI. But if you’re updating your home to better suit your lifestyle, start thinking about rooms you spend the most time in.
The next step in planning a home remodel is determining how much you’re willing to spend. Your budget should include the costs for permits and building materials, labor as well as cosmetic touches.
If your cost estimates don’t fit into your budget, use your home improvement project plan from step one to eliminate elements of your job that are a lower priority. You should also request estimates from multiple contractors to find the best option for you.
