Most home renovation projects will take longer than you think they will. The phases of the project and timescales for each need to be understood in order to plan for your project and avoid being let down by unexpected delays.
Typical Timescales by Project Scope
A single room refurbishment such as a new kitchen or bathroom typically takes around 4-8 weeks to complete. A full floor refurbishment would take around 3-4 months to complete. A full house refurbishment with structural changes can take anything from 6 months to over a year to complete.
How Planning Permission Adds Time
Of course not all home improvements will require planning permission; most loft conversions, single room refurbishments, kitchen and bathroom refits, conservatories and porches are likely to fall under Permitted Development and do not require any form of application. However, this is not always the case and many single storey extensions and some others will require a planning application before commencing. The time scale for these types of applications can vary and as a rule of thumb applications take approximately 8 weeks from submission; however, this can be increased due to the need for re-submission of plans or indeed an appeal. It is therefore wise to check the Permitted Development rules relating to extensions before embarking on the design and tendering process to avoid costly delays at a later stage.
Local Considerations Around Conservation Areas A useful reference for Home Renovations Burford is https://precisionbuildersltd.co.uk/services/home-renovations/burford.
If you are planning a home renovation in Burford it is worth noting that the majority of the town is within a designated Cotswold conservation area. External materials and design may be restricted and will need to be submitted with the application. Furthermore applications submitted within a conservation area can take longer to obtain approval than those submitted for standard planning applications. It is best to check with the local authority before embarking on drawing up your plans.
Why the Order of Trades Matters
The work of the electrician and plumber must be completed as a first fix and then covered up and left to dry out for a period of 10-14 days before the decorating can start. This allows the relevant time for the plaster to harden before it is scrubbed with great force and Abrasives to smooth it out ready for painting. If any trades person tries to speed up this process it will only end up in them having to redo all of the work that has already been completed to achieve the desired finish.
Material Lead Times to Watch
Joinery, steel beams and made to order windows can also have long lead times of 6-12 weeks, it is essential to order these early on so they do not become the main hold up for the other trades.
Creating a realistic plan before the work begins will save you so much more time in the long run than if you were to rush it and try to complete it all.