Your Guide to the Hidden Costs of Redesigning your Home

Redesigning your home takes lots of planning. You need to work what you want it to look like and how much you want to spend. This might sound pretty simple, but there are several parts of a renovation project that homeowners tend to forget to plan and budget for.

To stop you getting any nasty surprises late on in your project, here are 7 hidden costs that you might come across when you’re redesigning your home.

1. Common surveys

There are several surveys that you might have to get when you’re redesigning your home. Homeowners often get surprised by some of these, as they’re not always well-known outside of the building trade.

For example, if you’re building downwards then you might need an archaeological survey. Or if you want to install new air conditioning units, you might need to provide the council with an acoustic or noise report. Ask your architect about the surveys you might need so you have a good idea early on.

2. Planning permission

Planning permission comes with more hidden costs that you need to plan for. If you want to alter your property in certain ways, then you’ll need to apply for planning permission. This usually costs something in the region of £150-£200.

Even if you don’t need to pay for planning permission, you’ll probably want a lawful development certificate. This is useful if your situation is not clear cut or you plan to sell your home in the future. This won’t cost as much as a planning permission application but is still a cost you need to allow for.

3. Listed building and conservation area consent

Applications for listed building and conservation area consent are other expenses that you might need to consider when you’re redesigning your home.

If your property is listed or in a conservation area then you’ll need to apply for permission before you do any work on it. You’ll need to pay an architect to compile parts of these applications, so make sure you ask about the cost.

4. Structural alterations

Structural alterations are also a common hidden cost. If you want to do things like build a new floor or replace a wall with bifold doors, you’ll need to enlist the help of a structural engineer. This will be an additional cost if you’re not already using a structural engineer.

5. Adapting plumbing, heating and electrics

The costs of redesigning your home don’t just come from building new bits. You need to remember that you might have to adapt the systems and installations you already have. This could include rewiring, re-plumbing and improving water pressure.

6. Scaffolding and skip hire

Homeowners can also get surprised by having to pay for things like scaffolding and skip hire. This is often because they think they’re already included in sums they’ve already paid their builder. Make sure you find out whether you need to pay for scaffolding, skip hire and skip parking, and when these amounts will be due.

7. Fixtures and finishes

When you’re redesigning your home, it can be easy to think about the big things and forget about the small ones. Once you’ve got all the structural things sorted, you might need things like new radiators, sockets, light fittings or appliances. Work out what you’ll need before you start your project and make sure you’ve allowed for it in your budget.

Have you been surprised by any hidden costs when you’ve been redesigning your home? Tweet us @Quotatis

Evy Coe

Evy works for Quotatis as a Content Marketing Executive. She loves to write about interior design and help homeowners with their DIY projects.