There are many reasons why people choose to embark on a renovation project. To improve the layout and decor, create more space, lower your energy costs, and hopefully increase the property value in the process.
However, home renovation is a big undertaking. And you’re quite right to research your options thoroughly. That way you can ensure you find the most suitable renovation specialist near you to complete the work.
In this post, we’ll help to guide you in the right direction. We’ll also share some key questions to ask a renovation specialist before making that all-important hire.
How to find the best home renovation specialists near you
A home renovation specialist will help to realise the dreams you have for your property. It’s therefore crucial to find experts who you can trust and rely on to deliver an exceptional standard of work.
- We check and approve all our members, so you can be sure they meet the exacting standards you’d expect.
- We check and verify every review that our members receive, providing real testimonials you can rely on.
You can use our directory in two straightforward ways to find home renovation specialists who come highly recommended in your area:
1. Use our request a quote feature
The first option is to use our quick ‘request a quote’ feature to have our expert home renovation specialists get in touch with you.
- Add your details to this form
- Provide some details about your job
- We’ll search our leading directory for you
- Renovation specialists near you will be in touch directly to discuss your needs
2. Browse our online trade directory
Alternatively, browse our directory to see the recommended renovation specialists in your area. To get started, type your postcode in the search box below.
Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*
What do renovation specialists do?
A renovation specialist is different from a builder who constructs new homes, for example.
With renovations, you’re working with an existing structure, which can be anything from a few years to a few hundred years old. Needless to say, you can expect to uncover some surprises when you start to peel back the layers of a property.
However, the knowledge and experience of a renovation specialist will help to ensure obstacles are overcome efficiently, enabling the project to run smoothly (and to budget!).
A renovation specialist will:
- Meet with you to discuss your aims and get an understanding of your budget
- Develop the initial concept for your renovation, sharing advice, best practice, and recommendations
- Finalise the concept with accurate costings and detailed drawings
- Undertake the renovation with their own team of specialists
Questions to ask before hiring a renovation specialist
To help ensure you choose the right firm for the job, we’ve prepared a handy list of questions to ask your shortlist of renovation companies.
What insurance do you have?
You’re about to give someone the go-ahead to make major structural changes to your property.
Therefore, you want to ensure that the company you choose is properly insured to provide adequate protection should something go wrong.
A renovation specialist should provide you with a copy of their insurance policy. Make sure it’s up-to-date and that your own home (buildings) insurance provider is happy with the level of indemnity.
All Checkatrade members must have up-to-date public liability insurance to be listed in our directory.
Are you registered with a Competent Person Scheme?
Is your renovation specialist registered with a Competent Person Scheme? If not, you’ll have to submit a building notice or full plans application to the Building Control Body. You’ll also need to pay a fee for them to inspect the work carried out. This will be an additional cost to factor into your renovation budget.
Do you offer a guarantee or warranty on your work?
A renovation is a huge financial commitment. Ask your home renovation specialist what sort of guarantee or warranty they offer on their work.
What permissions do we need?
The permissions you need in order to undertake the renovation work, for example, planning permission, will become evident once your initial concept is drawn up.
An experienced renovation specialist will be able to guide you on the permissions you’ll need to apply for and the associated costs.
Can you show me examples of your work?
One of the best ways to get an idea of the standard of a renovation specialist’s work is to see examples of their previous projects. This will also give you an indication of their experience in the type of renovation you have in mind for your own property.
Take the time to do your research. Ask to see photos of previous renovations, and check online reviews. All Checkatrade members have a business profile page on our site, making it easy to do this.
Do you specialise in the type of work we need?
Looking at a renovation specialist’s credentials will help to identify their experience in particular types of work. In particular, it’s helpful if you’re only renovating a specific part of your property.
For example, perhaps you’re looking for a kitchen renovation specialist in your area. Or maybe it’s specifically a bathroom renovation specialist near you that you need. You might even want a company that positions itself as a kitchen makeover specialist.
What’s your availability?
It’s little surprise that the best home renovation specialist firms get booked up in advance. That means you need to start planning as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
How do you charge for your services?
Ask your renovation specialist to itemise their quote so you can compare them like-for-like when choosing the firm to work with.
Ask whether there are any other costs you’ll need to budget for that aren’t included in the quote. For example, planning permission or building control fees are often extras.
It’s important to fully understand the costs involved in a home renovation so you can budget accordingly.
Lastly, make sure to ask about fee structure – how much you’ll be expected to pay upfront, how and when further installments should be made, and when the final payment is expected.
Will you provide a contract before we start work?
It’s recommended to get an agreement in writing in advance to outline the scope of the work, responsibilities, and the fee structure, at the very least.
Can you give me a schedule of works and a timeline?
Your renovation specialist should provide an estimate of how long the work should take, but it’s also handy to have a timeline of activities so you can plan accordingly.
For example, if you need to book a floor fitter in, you’ll need to know when the decorators will be finished.
How will you keep me informed during the project?
Knowing what to expect and when will avoid ambiguity and help everything to run smoothly.
Ask your renovation specialist how often you’ll receive updates on the progress of your project and how they’ll communicate with you. For example, will you have regular in-person meetings, telephone calls, or email updates?
How to find a recommended home improvement specialist near me?
With a series of questions to help select the right renovation specialist for your project, all that’s left to do is to find your shortlist:
Here’s how to find a renovation consultant near you:
Use a professional directory
The Federation of Master Builders is a badge of quality in the industry. This makes it a great place to check a renovation specialist’s credentials.
Trade directories such as Checkatrade are a great way to find approved home renovation companies near you.
- Our directory is the one best known for quality*
- Every one of our members is checked and approved by us
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
Check online reviews
It’s very easy to check a tradesperson’s reputation and the quality of their work with a quick online search. Websites such as Checkatrade display honest and verified reviews from real-life customers.
Ask for recommendations
Think about friends or family who have had renovation work done. Would they recommend the firm they used? Be sure to check any recommendations out on Checkatrade!
Ready to find a trusted and recommended renovation specialist near you? Just add your postcode to the box below to start your search.
FAQs
How much does housing renovation cost?
House renovation costs vary depending on the size, scope, and complexity of the project. Your location, and whether you’re taking on any of the work yourself, will also impact the cost. A typical 4-bed house in the UK could cost between £35,000 to £69,000 to fully renovate. As a rule of thumb, you should not spend more than 10% of the current market value of your home on renovations.
In what order do you renovate a house?
Fixing any structural issues should be the first stage in your renovation, as well as ensuring your property is weathertight. You can then strip everything back, including wallpaper and carpets, to create a blank canvas. Next comes the first fix – that’s plumbing, heating, and electrics. Then plastering. After this, it’s time for the second fix, when the kitchen, bathrooms, radiators, and light fixings will be installed. Then it’s time to decorate and lay the flooring. The final step is the snagging process, then it’s time to enjoy your property!
Which room do you renovate first?
The first room you renovate should be the one that creates equity in your property. Many experts agree that renovating the kitchen or bathroom first is a wise move.
How long does it take to fully renovate a room?
To fully renovate a room, including new electrics, pipework for heating, plastering, redecoration, installing fitted furniture, and new flooring will typically take between 2-3 weeks.
How long does it take to renovate a property?
The time it takes to renovate a property will depend on the size, scope, and complexity of the project. With this in mind, somewhere between 3-9 months is typical.
*Claims are sourced from a survey conducted by Deep Blue Thinking on a nationally representative UK sample in October 2021.