What to prioritise when renovating

[ilkleymoorbartat]

We're not able to do the whole house in one go. We've don't the middle floor, bedrooms and bathroom, but there's still LOADS to do. Nothing is 'urgent' so we're now at a point where nothing is really getting done, and it's impossible to work out which bits to do given we're not flushed with cash.

Do we try and save up a load of money if possible to do as much of the rest of the work in one go? Or keep eating away at it, by doing a bit each year.

Examples of things that need doing

• Tiny tiny bathroom that we want to turn into wet room for guests.
• New French doors that are rotting
• Front of house paving is completely cracked and uneven and needs to be totally redone.
• Possibly new windows in bedroom (there damp coming i because the outside paint is peeling). Unsure whether to refurb the sash windows rather than redecorate them given that they're in a bit of a state
• Kitchen needs completely redoing but that's a distant dream at the moment.

Problem is that most of these things will probably cost about £5000 each. So non of it is cheap.

Roof, wiring, windows, plumbing, plastering were always our priorities.

I would prioritise :

stuff that will need to greater structuaral damage if not done.

stuff that will save you money.

Stuff that will increase security.

Stuff like fancy wet rooms for guests seems pretty low on the list if you are strapped for cash.

I was thinking of having my stairs done the other day. But I also need a new kitchen (upstairs). then I remembered if I have the kitchen done, hauling all the stuff up and down the stairs may well wreck them. So best to hold off doing the stairs until the kitchen is done.

Oh and obviously stuff that if not done means the place is unsafe.

Thanks @MrsSkylerWhite we did new roof and wiring (on middle floor) when we first moved it.

That's exactly it @GasPanic but now we're just in a cycle of, well we can't do that until this other thing is done. But this other thing costs too much money, so then we end up doing nothing!

I agree about the wet room seeming like a luxury, the only thing is that is right at the top of the house so it would mean we could then tick that off the to do list. It would also add an extra toilet (we only have one for family of 4).

I always think of renovations as falling into 2 categories- "the technicals" like electrics, plumbing, drainage, roof, damp course and windows, and the "pretties" which is decorating and installing replacement (for purely aesthetic reasons) bathrooms and kitchens. I would make sure that the former are done first. I also take on anything that I can do myself like painting.

E iI

I would echo others to say to focus on the things that will give you long term benefit. Will keep you warm, secure and not create other problems.

I have also had the benefit of renovating a couple of houses now with expert professional assistance. I'm no plumber! I have been categorically told that wet rooms require a concrete floor ideally on a ground floor. Anyone who installs one for you at the top of a house is a cowboy and it will eventually leak.

Better to have a decent sized loo and sink for now if a second bathroom would be a lifesaver. As a guest I would rather queue for a shared family bathroom with a decent shower than use a tiny wet room and have to dry it all off afterwards. They are a total pain imho.

Re kitchens, you can get great value second hand if you are prepared to do a bit of painting and decorating. Even a decent brand kitchen (Homebase, magnet, B&Q) will last about 10 yrs. if you can sort an interim kitchen you can put in your showpiece when you are a bit more flush and have saved the cash to do all the big things that often go alongside it (extensions, etc)

That's really helpful and interesting @TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams

We actually had an architect suggest the wet room, so if assumed that was ok. Hmmm, maybe need to rethink that one then! Maybe we can do something clever with a small shower