Spring is the natural point in the year when homeowners start thinking seriously about renovation, partly because the better weather makes external work easier and partly because it feels like a fresh start after winter. Whether you are planning a major project like an extension or something smaller like redecorating a couple of rooms, spring is a sensible time to get quotes moving so that work can be finished well before autumn. Here are some of the projects worth considering and how to plan them sensibly.
Bigger structural projects
If you have been thinking about a house extension, loft conversion or basement conversion, spring is a good time to start the design and planning process, even if the build itself will not start for a few months. Planning applications typically take eight to thirteen weeks to determine, so submitting in spring means you could realistically be building by summer. These projects add genuine living space and are usually the best return on investment for a growing family, but they need proper design work, structural calculations and, in many cases, planning permission before a spade goes in the ground.
Kitchens and bathrooms
Kitchens and bathrooms are the two rooms that date a house fastest and are consistently the projects that make the biggest difference to how a home feels day to day. Spring is a practical time to plan these because the disruption, while significant, is contained to a specific room and does not depend heavily on outdoor weather. If you are replacing a kitchen, decide early whether you are keeping the existing layout or moving plumbing and electrics, since that decision has a big effect on both cost and timescale.
Gardens, exteriors and quick wins
Spring is when gardens and exteriors get the most attention, and it is a good opportunity to deal with anything that winter weather has exposed, such as damaged fencing, cracked render, or guttering that needs attention. Repointing brickwork, repainting external woodwork and tidying up paths and patios are all straightforward jobs that make a real difference to how a house presents, and they are far easier to do in dry, mild weather than in the depths of winter.
- Get planning applications submitted early in spring to allow time for determination before summer
- Book kitchen and bathroom quotes now if you want the work finished before the summer holidays
- Deal with any exterior damage from winter weather before it gets worse
- Consider decoration and flooring as a lower-cost way to refresh a room without structural work
- Sequence garden landscaping around any building work so it is not undone by site traffic
- Ask your builder for a realistic programme rather than a rushed one, spring bookings fill up fast
Spring is when we see the widest range of enquiries, from a full rear extension down to someone simply wanting their hallway repainted. The projects that go smoothest are the ones where the homeowner has thought through the scope before asking for a quote.
Whatever scale of renovation you are considering this spring, Hozea Construction can provide a free, fixed-price quote and honest advice on what is realistic for your budget and timescale. Call 07969 378509 or visit our office at 66 Fitzalan Road, Finchley N3 3PE.
Common questions
- How long does planning permission take?
- Most householder planning applications are determined within eight weeks, though more complex applications can take up to thirteen weeks. Submitting in spring gives a realistic chance of building over the summer.
- Should I renovate my kitchen or bathroom first?
- This depends on which room is causing the most day-to-day frustration and which has the more urgent underlying issues, such as failing plumbing or outdated electrics. Both projects have a similarly disruptive but contained impact on the household.
- Is spring a good time for exterior repairs?
- Yes, mild, drier weather makes repointing, painting and roof repairs easier to carry out and gives materials like paint and mortar better conditions to cure properly.