With lockdown restrictions slowly being lifted in the UK and across other countries in the world, home improvement is on the up. This is also common to see during the warmer months when it is a lot more accessible to conduct works, particularly for subcontractors and external refurbishment companies. However there is nothing to say these works can’t be conducted all year round!
1. Choose the Perfect Materials
With any refurbishment comes a lot of different resources and materials to source and purchase, depending on the type of refurbishment you have decided to go with. Different materials will be suitable for different purposes, so it’s best to scope this out first and decide on what is best for you.
You may need steel in Bristol or a variety of other materials like wood, stone or plastics. Steel in particular is very strong, weldable and flexible. You can also get steel in so many different forms and your local steel supplier will be able to provide you with the perfect materials, in the right shape and style for your project.
2. Organisation & Planning Is Key
When it comes to any project or works, staying on plan and organising yourself is probably the most important part. Without organising the different components, you run the risk of not being on the same page as everyone else that is involved. If you are unorganised it could also cause issues with suppliers if they are planning to deliver at a certain date or time. Keep a diary and list of items you need to consider, and ensure you review this regularly. Some people also decide to get a qualified project manager involved to take this load off them.
3. Safety & Hazards
Whether you are going down the DIY route or hiring someone to complete the works for you, safety is important nevertheless. For example if your works require scaffolding then you will need to consider the risks of height and falls and ensure you have suitable contingency in place to deal with these risks. If you have someone working in your home from a professional company they should have plans in place to monitor risk themselves and ensure no one is harmed in the process of work.
4. Trusted Workers
For those paying someone else externally to take care of the refurbishment, you need to ensure you are using someone that is not only competent but also someone that you can trust. Take time to speak with several different providers, read their reviews and understand what kind of business (or sole trader) they are.
Watch out for dodgy payment plans and false promises. They should always keep you updated and ensure you are happy with works and the plan to complete this.
5. Be Creative
Aside from the logistics of a refurbishment, it’s important to consider the creative side of the actual works being conducted. The term refurbishment is quite broad and covers a huge range of different tasks – the most common refurbishment jobs tend to be decorative or layout changes, such as knocking a wall through to create a large room or repainting the space that is already there.
It’s not often that people refurbish their homes so if you are taking the chance to do it, make the most of it and enjoy it!
