Fady’s Affordable Renovation

  FadyReno’s expertise spans across a wide array of renovations and remodels, each tailored to the unique demands of individual projects. The company's expansive reach is not just limited to the diversity of services but also the geography it covers. Serving cities across Ontario, FadyReno has become a household name, trusted and revered by many for its impeccable service, timely deliveries, and a transparent approach.

 And while turning a property into a shell can enable you to tackle every area with your own touch and taste, it will also mean more expense – when there could be elements of your property you should keep.

 Before starting out with major work, think about your property’s original features and how you could use them with the plans you have in mind.

 Not only will keeping some things save you money, it could also help preserve the character of your property.

 So, before you start any work, you’ll need to establish, with your builder or contractor, how they are going to get large machinery on to the site of your property.

 You may also have to speak with your neighbours if access is required via their land or if machinery access will impact on them in any way.

 There’s no shying away from the fact that it is a demanding project, though. You’ll need to find the right property and see beyond its current flaws. Careful budgeting for house renovation costs is also required along with good planning so you can complete the work as cost consciously and efficiently as possible. But get things right and you can add value, and live in a fabulous home (or have the pleasure of selling on a transformed house).

 Our guide has all the details and expertise you need to find a promising property, and plan every stage in this house renovation checklist. Follow the steps, or skip to the stage you need to know about by using the links to the right of this page.

 ‘The best way to find an affordable property is to look for a fixer-upper in a location that you would like to live in,’ says Gus Harding, property expert and founder of Harding Mortgages. ‘By doing this, you will be able to find a property that is below market value and has the potential to be exactly what you want.’

 Properties ripe for renovation are often described as 'in need of modernisation' in the estate agent's details. This can mean anything from a new kitchen and some cosmetic fixes, to removing the tree that is growing in the lounge. So before looking for a house, set your budget and decide what level of works you are happy to take on.

 ‘Make friends with your local estate agents by going in and talking to them personally,’ recommends Natalie Mitchell, property and construction expert at Homehow. ‘Explain what you’re looking for and what your financial situation is. That way you’ll be the first to hear about suitable properties coming onto the market. Widen your search by doing a walkabout of your patch. If there’s a property that looks empty or neglected, you might be able to find out who owns it by knocking on doors or searching the land registry.’

 ‘Look out for homes on the market unsold for a while – the price is probably too high but they might now be open to offer, so put in the work,’ recommends Jonathan Rolande, director of the National Association of Property Buyers and professional property buyer at House Buy Fast.

 A kitchen with a glazed sloping roof and sliding doors leading to the garden, with black countertops and island, and a white slate floor

 ‘To help you assess the potential of a property, you need to ask yourself how you can improve on what’s already there,’ says Natalie Mitchell. ‘Is it possible to add space through an extending a house or loft conversion? Or can the inside be opened up to improve the living space? Bathrooms and kitchens are the rooms that sell a home. So, if there’s potential to add an extra bathroom or open up a small kitchen, then that’s where you’ll add the most value.’

 But how do you make sure you don't get lumped with a money pit when it comes to home renovation? Before purchasing, always get a survey conducted to check the state of the property. This will be carried out by a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) who will feedback on what repairs need doing, and from there you can estimate the associated costs.

 However, before you even consider making an offer (or perhaps before you even consider booking a viewing) there are a few things the untrained eye should look out for:

 The old saying goes that you should look for the worst house on the best street, and it is great advice for anyone looking for a renovation bargain. No matter how amazing you make the property, it can only be as good as the area it is in, so check local amenities, schools and provision of green space. A Google Street View stroll down the street will give you a feel for the place and highlight anything untoward.

 ‘Although you have to spend money to make money, there’s a limit to what you should sink into a fixer-upper,’ says Natalie. ‘So, always check the ceiling price of the road your potential home is on.’

 You can check how much similar properties nearby have sold for on Rightmove and Zoopla. This will give you an idea of the maximum value of the home you are looking at, so you know what your return on investment will be post home renovation. Just ensure you look at a like-for-like house – obviously, a five-bedroom property will fetch more than a three!

 Repairing a roof, for example, could set you back a few grand so check for missing/damaged roof tiles or signs of bowing timbers. Missing tiles could also mean trouble inside if water has leaked through. Windows will add considerably to your renovation budget, too. You may want to upgrade single glazing to double, reducing heat loss and running costs in the process. But be mindful of maintaining characterful period windows if you can.

Wall Painting Solutions

 Will your planned changes be in keeping with the rest of the street? Have they made improvements to their homes that would work on yours? Finally, are the homes well maintained, showing that everyone takes pride in their properties?

 If the house is not big enough for your needs consider how you could change it to rectify that. You might be able to easily convert existing space such as the garage or the loft. ‘Loft conversions and garage conversions are probably the easiest way to add both additional living space to your home and increase its value,’ says Ian McConville, group procurement director, MKM. ‘The potential added value of a loft conversion, which could create an extra bedroom and ensuite, could be as much as 20 per cent and 15 per cent for a garage conversion.’

 Alternatively, the garden may be large enough to have room for a rear extension while leaving a sizeable outside space to enjoy. Again, look at neighbouring properties for an indication of what may be possible.

 Note that there are ways to cut the cost of an extension and cheap extension ideas can still achieve great results, but do always bear ceiling value (see above) in mind.

 There is so much you can do to improve a home, but if the cost of this is going to be very high and limit your ROI (return on investment) it might not be the property for you. Instead look for something that is closer to what you need in terms of size and layout.

 This doesn't have to be a dealbreaker, but should the house need completely rewiring and/or central heating installed you will be looking at another £3,000 to £5,000 for each job, for the average three-bedroom home. Upgrading electrics in an old home can be required if there’s an old-fashioned fuse box with ceramic fuses and cast iron switches; surface-mounted cabling; black or fabric cables; Bakelite switches and old fashioned sockets.

 ‘If you’re buying a renovation project, it’s worth taking an expert, such as a builder or architect, with you on a viewing to get an idea of costs, which you can then reflect in the offer you make,’ says expert renovator Michael Holmes.

 ‘If you’re buying a renovation project, it’s worth taking an expert, such as a builder or architect, with you on a viewing to get an idea of costs, which you can then reflect in the offer you make,’ says expert renovator Michael Holmes.

 a cosy country living room with two windows, a grey sofa with beige and green pillows, a brick fireplace and an armchair with a tartan blanket

 What order do you renovate a house in? Once you've found and purchased a suitable house renovation project, you need to ensure that you follow the correct sequence of house renovation works, for the best possible results. Use our checklist to make the best choices.

 Over the years, many period homes have been stripped of the things that make them charming. Beams are covered up, beautiful original windows replaced, and original fireplaces swapped for electric alternatives. It is sad to see homes that have lost all of their character, but before you go about ‘restoring’ period features, remember it can be equally damaging to a home’s heritage to install what would not have been there in the first place – so do some research.

 ‘Some local authorities apply special control in conservation areas, specifically on building features such as windows and doors, and any unauthorised work is a criminal offence, so you need to be really careful,’ cautions Rachael Munby from Anglian Home Improvements. ‘If your home is a listed building or it’s in a conservation area, you will need planning permission to repair or replace your windows and doors.’

 Get to know your home and the age it was built in. ‘Don't add a Victorian fireplace to a 1930s house,’ says Jonathan Rolande. Think, too, about the kind of people who would have lived there – the average workers’ terraces would not have had the regalia of a Georgian townhouse, so don’t shoehorn in ornate plaster mouldings and intricately carved fireplaces.

 The best approach is to repair existing features, make the house dry and safe, and undo any well intentioned mistakes that could affect the condition of the building (such as breathable stone walls covered in impermeable waterproof coatings that cause damp).

 Before taking on the property, you should thoroughly research costs and budget to check that the project is financially viable. But once you have taken possession, have a good look around and properly assess the extent of the works, so you can get a detailed financial schedule in place.

 Some mortgage lenders will help you fund your renovation project and offer the money in staged payments. If you are going down this route, find out what those stages are and work out by when you will have each step of the renovation finished.

 In other cases, you need to be realistic about what work you can afford to do and when. If the property is not in a habitable state, your first priority should be to make it safe and dry, with hot water and heating, so that you can move in – especially if you are spending money to live elsewhere while the work goes on. Avoid moving in until major works are out of the way, but you can live among cosmetic alterations as long as you have finished rooms in which to cook, wash and sleep.