15/10/2026
The Correct Order to Renovate a House
1. Survey and plan. Get a full structural survey. Check for damp, subsidence and asbestos. Set the budget and scope with a 10โ20% contingency.
2. Permissions. Sort planning, building regs sign-off, party wall notices and listed building consent where needed. Book the trades.
3. Strip out. Rip out kitchens, bathrooms, old flooring and plaster. Hire a skip. Get asbestos removed professionally if it's found.
4. Structural work. Do underpinning, steels (RSJs), knocking through walls, and new openings.
5. Roof and external envelope. Repair the roof, chimneys and fascias/soffits, and repoint. Make the house watertight before anything inside.
6. Damp proofing and drainage. Fix the DPC, tanking and drains. Put in any new soil stacks.
7. Windows and external doors. Fit these so the house is secure and weatherproof.
8. Extensions and loft conversions. Build any new space now so it's ready for first fix.
9. First fix. Install electrics (cables and back boxes), plumbing and heating pipework, any boiler relocation, and ventilation ducting. Get them inspected before walls are closed up.
10. Insulation. Add loft, wall and floor insulation.
11. Stud walls, plasterboard and plastering. Allow drying time, typically 1โ2 weeks.
12. Screed and subfloors. Put in underfloor heating here if you're using it.
13. Second fix carpentry. Fit internal doors, skirting, architraves and stairs.
14. Kitchen and bathroom install. Fit units, sanitaryware and tiling.
15. Second fix electrics and plumbing. Fit sockets, switches, lights, radiators, taps and the boiler commission.
16. Decorating. Mist coat, then paint and wallpaper.
17. Flooring. Lay carpets, LVT and wood floors last so they don't get damaged.
18. External works. Do the garden, driveway, fencing and paint the front door. Kerb appeal matters for a flip.
19. Snagging and sign-off. Get the building control completion certificate, electrical (EICR/EIC) and Gas Safe certificates, and a new EPC.
20. Deep clean and stage. Get it ready for photos, viewings.
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