Before you renovate, start here

Many renovations go wrong before they've even started. Not for lack of hands, but for lack of planning. Decisions are rushed, minds change halfway through, and both the budget and the timescale stretch. The good news is that almost all of this can be avoided with a few hours of preparation. These are the questions Mestre Amilson recommends answering before any renovation.

1. What's the goal?

It sounds obvious, but it isn't. Renovating a home you plan to live in for years is different from renovating to let or to sell. In the first case, it pays to invest in comfort and durable materials. In the second, what matters most is a neat finish that's easy to maintain and looks good.

Write down in one sentence what you want to change and why. For example: ‘I want a bathroom that's easier to clean, with a shower instead of a bath.’ That sentence will guide every decision that follows.

2. Separate the essentials from the nice-to-haves

Make two lists. The first is what really has to be done: old plumbing, leaks, faulty electrics. The second is what you'd like to have: a new floor, coving with hidden lighting, a kitchen that opens onto the living room.

The essentials always come first. Whatever is hidden inside the walls and floors is the hardest thing to put right later. Finishes can be upgraded down the line; badly done plumbing means breaking everything open again.

3. A realistic budget, with a margin

Set the maximum you're prepared to spend and keep part of it aside for the unexpected. Older properties often hold surprises: worn-out pipes, hidden damp, walls that aren't straight. Having that margin stops you making rushed decisions halfway through the job.

Remember that the budget isn't just labour. It covers materials, sanitaryware, appliances, furniture and sometimes the cost of living elsewhere while the work is going on.

4. Measure and record what's there

Before choosing materials, measure each room: length, width and ceiling height. Note where the doors, windows, sockets and water points are. Take a photo of every wall. With these measurements, you'll know straight away whether the vanity unit or shower tray you saw in the shop will actually fit.

Measurements and photos are also a big help when you ask for a quote. Whoever prepares it understands the job better from the very first contact.

5. Licences and the condominium

Not every job needs a licence, but some do. Changes to structural walls, the façade or the roof, or changing the property type, may need permission. Before you book any dates, check with the câmara municipal (local council) whether your work needs to be notified or licensed.

If you live in a block of flats, speak to the condominium administration too. There are usually rules on noisy working hours, use of the lift, protecting shared areas and where rubble can go. Letting the neighbours know in advance saves a lot of friction.

6. Draw up a schedule

Think about the best time for the work. Will you keep living in the property? Are there important dates coming up, such as holidays, a new baby or tenants moving in? Outdoor work, like painting the façade or repairing the roof, goes better in dry weather.

Allow for delivery times, too. Kitchen units, made-to-measure worktops and some tiles can take weeks to arrive. Choosing everything before work starts avoids stoppages halfway through.

The next step

Once your goal, priorities, budget and measurements are clear, the conversation with whoever does the work becomes much simpler, and the proposals you receive are far easier to compare.

Thinking of renovating your house or flat? We'll visit to measure up and assess the work, then give you a clear, detailed proposal with no obligation. Talk to us about your project.