Renovating
8 Renovation Costs You Won’t Have Factored In, But Should Have
Want to avoid those hidden renovation costs that creep in unexpectedly? Then read on…
If you’ve ever undertaken any renovation work, you’ll know most projects end up going over budget, however carefully you manage the job. Even with a sensible contingency fund, extra expenditure can creep in to disrupt even the best-laid plans.
But what exactly are these extra costs and how can you preempt them? Here are a few of the surprising hidden costs of renovation work that you may want to factor into your budget.
But what exactly are these extra costs and how can you preempt them? Here are a few of the surprising hidden costs of renovation work that you may want to factor into your budget.
2. Refinishing internal carpentry
Another unexpected knock-on effect of replastering large areas or working with wet materials, where you raise the humidity levels throughout the house, is that internal doors can swell up and need to be rehung.
Factoring in a carpenter to refit or rehang internal doors or make small adjustments is another cost that may not be on your spreadsheet, but it might be worth keeping in mind at the planning stage.
Serial Renovators on How to Set Up and Stick to a Budget
Another unexpected knock-on effect of replastering large areas or working with wet materials, where you raise the humidity levels throughout the house, is that internal doors can swell up and need to be rehung.
Factoring in a carpenter to refit or rehang internal doors or make small adjustments is another cost that may not be on your spreadsheet, but it might be worth keeping in mind at the planning stage.
Serial Renovators on How to Set Up and Stick to a Budget
3. Your electricity bill
If you’re undertaking extensive renovation work for a period of months, you may need to budget for your electricity bill to rise during this time.
With power tools being plugged in and recharged constantly, and several trades working on your home at the same time, you’ll be drawing on your power supply much more than usual. It might seem like an incidental cost, but if you allow for this before you start, you won’t be caught out by it halfway through.
If you’re undertaking extensive renovation work for a period of months, you may need to budget for your electricity bill to rise during this time.
With power tools being plugged in and recharged constantly, and several trades working on your home at the same time, you’ll be drawing on your power supply much more than usual. It might seem like an incidental cost, but if you allow for this before you start, you won’t be caught out by it halfway through.
4. Rubbish disposal
You might have factored in a skip at the end of your project, but it’s a rare renovation that creates less waste than planned. Most projects result in large amounts of rubbish and this will need to be disposed of safely, which can add on extra pennies at the very end of your project when funds are low.
Skips aren’t cheap, so if you end up needing to hire more than one, it could add to your overspend. It’s best to consider this at the planning stage and budget for a larger skip than you think you need, or for someone to come and collect the rubbish at a couple of points during the project.
You might have factored in a skip at the end of your project, but it’s a rare renovation that creates less waste than planned. Most projects result in large amounts of rubbish and this will need to be disposed of safely, which can add on extra pennies at the very end of your project when funds are low.
Skips aren’t cheap, so if you end up needing to hire more than one, it could add to your overspend. It’s best to consider this at the planning stage and budget for a larger skip than you think you need, or for someone to come and collect the rubbish at a couple of points during the project.
5. A deep clean
It’s incredible how far dust can travel when heavy renovation work or demolition is taking place elsewhere in the house. You can keep all the internal doors and windows closed, but more often than not you’ll find yourself shaking dust out of curtains and bedding in rooms away from where the work’s taking place.
If you’re living on-site, you can keep on top of this on a daily basis while the project’s ongoing. However, you might want to factor in some funds for a deep clean of carpets and textiles at the very end of the job to return your home to normal once the builders and trades have left.
It’s incredible how far dust can travel when heavy renovation work or demolition is taking place elsewhere in the house. You can keep all the internal doors and windows closed, but more often than not you’ll find yourself shaking dust out of curtains and bedding in rooms away from where the work’s taking place.
If you’re living on-site, you can keep on top of this on a daily basis while the project’s ongoing. However, you might want to factor in some funds for a deep clean of carpets and textiles at the very end of the job to return your home to normal once the builders and trades have left.
6. Patching up paintwork
High-traffic areas, such as hallways, can take a bit of abuse during renovations, with lots of people walking though each day and ladders and tools being carried in and out.
As such, you might need to set aside a bit of cash for redecoration once the work’s complete. Even if it’s just patching up small chips in woodwork and giving walls a fresh coat of paint, keep in mind you’ll need a little pot of money for this.
5 Reasons Renovating Costs More Than Building From Scratch
High-traffic areas, such as hallways, can take a bit of abuse during renovations, with lots of people walking though each day and ladders and tools being carried in and out.
As such, you might need to set aside a bit of cash for redecoration once the work’s complete. Even if it’s just patching up small chips in woodwork and giving walls a fresh coat of paint, keep in mind you’ll need a little pot of money for this.
5 Reasons Renovating Costs More Than Building From Scratch
7. Replacing carpet in adjacent rooms
Carpet can sometimes be damaged in adjoining rooms to those where the work is taking place. If you’re moving internal walls around, carpet may have to be cut, for example, or if you have lots of people walking though a hallway to get to the room where work is being done, carpet can get damaged and need to be professionally cleaned or replaced.
Laying down protective carpet film can help, but dirt is skilled in finding its way around even the best protection, so keep this in mind when budgeting for cleaning costs at the end of building works.
Carpet can sometimes be damaged in adjoining rooms to those where the work is taking place. If you’re moving internal walls around, carpet may have to be cut, for example, or if you have lots of people walking though a hallway to get to the room where work is being done, carpet can get damaged and need to be professionally cleaned or replaced.
Laying down protective carpet film can help, but dirt is skilled in finding its way around even the best protection, so keep this in mind when budgeting for cleaning costs at the end of building works.
8. Garden reboot
Renovations can have a big impact on adjoining outside areas, as skips, machinery and materials all have to go somewhere while work is ongoing. Footpaths and patio areas will have lots of extra footfall, too, so expect your garden to sustain a bit of damage.
Once the work is complete, you can take stock of the garden, but it’s worth keeping a bit of money aside in case you need to fix fencing, replace turf or replant some areas.
Tell us
What hidden costs did you encounter with your renovation? Share your experiences in the Comments below, save your favourite images, like this story and share it with someone you know who’s renovating.
More
Need a professional to estimate expenses and draw up a realistic renovation budget? Find a local architect to get a clear idea of how much your renovation could really cost
Renovations can have a big impact on adjoining outside areas, as skips, machinery and materials all have to go somewhere while work is ongoing. Footpaths and patio areas will have lots of extra footfall, too, so expect your garden to sustain a bit of damage.
Once the work is complete, you can take stock of the garden, but it’s worth keeping a bit of money aside in case you need to fix fencing, replace turf or replant some areas.
Tell us
What hidden costs did you encounter with your renovation? Share your experiences in the Comments below, save your favourite images, like this story and share it with someone you know who’s renovating.
More
Need a professional to estimate expenses and draw up a realistic renovation budget? Find a local architect to get a clear idea of how much your renovation could really cost
If you’re plastering a large area of wall or having a new screed floor poured, you may need to hire a dehumidifier or heater to remove excess moisture in the air and help with the drying process.
These can be hired by the day, so, depending on the time of year you undertake the work and the drying speed of the plaster or screed, this cost can be anything from a couple of days’ hire to a few weeks, plus the electricity running cost.
It won’t be a huge amount, but it’s something that can get forgotten in the initial budget.