Are you planning to renovate? If so, there are plenty of pitfalls to watch out for. Here, we give you an introduction to the most important things you need to know when renovating your home.
When you’re renovating, there are lots of rules to bear in mind – especially when it comes to wet rooms, water and drainage. Even if you disregard the regulations, there are still plenty of pitfalls you can fall into. Avoid making a major renovation blunder – we’ll give you some pointers on the most important things to know when you’re renovating.
WHAT CAN YOU DO YOURSELF, AND WHEN DO YOU NEED A PROFESSIONAL?
Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to have a certain degree of self-awareness when it comes to your own skills. Are you skilled enough to be confident that the property you’re renovating will actually turn out well in the end? Most people are capable of painting, filling, fitting skirting boards or wallpapering. There are still some tasks where it’s a good idea to get help – and for some, you’re actually required to get help.
For more complex renovation work, such as replacing the electrical system, altering load-bearing structures or refurbishing a bathroom, it is essential to use professionals. This ensures that everything is carried out in accordance with laws and regulations. If you haven’t got everything in order and something goes wrong, there’s a strong chance that your insurance company won’t want to cover the damage. This is particularly true if the cause was a fault in the electrical system or was related to wet rooms and pipework.
It is a good idea to follow the rule that authorised professionals should be used for anything to do with electricity and water. Make sure the company can provide a certificate of compliance, confirming that the work has been carried out in accordance with current regulations and safety requirements. You will need this documentation when selling your property, or for your insurance company should an accident occur.
GET INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PROPERTY IN ADVANCE
Before you start the renovation – whether you’ve decided to do it yourself or have hired tradespeople – you’ll benefit greatly from finding out as much as possible in advance. It’s usually a good idea to get answers to the following questions:
Where are the pipes located?
- Do they go through any walls you need to watch out for?
- Are there any plans of your home?
- How old are the pipes?
- Where are the electrical courses held?
- What condition is the fuse box in?
- What materials are the walls, floors and ceilings made of?
- Where are the load-bearing structures?
- If you are unsure, you can ask professionals for help.
DON’T BE CARELESS WITH THE WET ROOMS!
Perhaps the room most at risk during a refurbishment is the bathroom. We at VITEK all too often come across DIY solutions where people have got in over their heads or tried to save money. If you’re not a qualified tradesperson or don’t really know what you’re doing, problems will usually arise, such as rapid wear and tear or leaks that are difficult to detect. Problems in a bathroom are usually very expensive to rectify, and the damage can be extensive before you even realise it.
And by all means – don’t use undeclared labour. It involves a high level of risk, and you won’t be able to prove that the work was carried out by qualified professionals. This could cost you dearly when you put your property up for sale or wish to claim on your insurance.
CHECKING THE PIPES IS A REASONABLY GOOD LONG-TERM INVESTMENT
If you’re planning to renovate your bathroom or kitchen, you’ll need to consider whether you’ll have to replace the pipes or whether pipe refurbishment is a suitable option for you. If you live in a housing co-operative, it is particularly important to check with the management committee whether there are any plans to replace the pipes or carry out refurbishment work under their auspices in the near future. There are also specific regulations that apply if you wish to carry out work on pipes that run through the walls between several residential units – you’ll often need to submit an application to obtain permission to work on these. Consult professionals to find out what applies in your case!
To determine whether you are eligible for pre-renewal, you will need to contact a pipe renewal company to arrange an inspection. During the site visit, they will assess the condition of your pipes and determine what can be done. Pipe renewal requires the pipes to meet a certain standard, but it would take quite a lot for it not to be possible to renew all or part of the work you wish to have done. Pipe renewal is a very practical and simple way of «laying» pipes, with the same lifespan as brand-new pipes.
Get in touch with us today for a friendly, no-obligation chat.