Updating old houses

If you plan on making a planning application as part of your house renovation, this is likely to be required.You can find a surveyor via the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Obviously they may impact upon your budget so the earlier you find out about them the better.When first viewing the property, look for its potential in terms of what could be done with its design and the financial potential it could eventually offer.Is there enough outdoor space to extend, for example?If you are about to start renovating a house you should also be planning for a few surprises — good and bad.

Whilst a renovation project might look like the ideal opportunity at first glance, further investigation may prove otherwise.

Being aware of these and having a step-by-step plan of action should mean the project remains on schedule and budget.

Here we cover everything you need to know when renovating a house, from finding and assessing properties to structural and design issues.

A house renovation can also allow you to afford a house you may not otherwise be able to (whilst you might be able to spot the renovation potential, others may not.) Renovating a house is never going to be the same for any two properties, but there are various issues and projects that many house renovations have in common — and it pays to be well prepared for what lies ahead.

House renovation projects might be packed with charm, but renovating a house can also bring up a set of issues that will need to be resolved before your dream home can emerge — and these issues tend mean hidden costs.