New Year, New Interiors

Investing in property is a solid form of saving, while at the same time offering immediate enjoyment and an improved quality of life. If you are one of the many people considering investing in your own property this year, take a look at Rebecca Coulby's top tips.

More applications for planning permission and building controls in Norfolk have already been submitted for 2016 than the whole of last year, so if you're one of the many people interested in improving your property, it's important to think about the following areas before you go ahead:

WHERE TO START

If much of your house needs attention, then knowing where to start can be an issue. As a general rule, if you are hoping for an immediate gain from your investment, then the key room to start with is the kitchen. This is also the room most likely to improve your quality of life. Clients have told me that they have rediscovered the pleasure of cooking again, that they have started cooking with their young children now that they have a breakfast bar, for example, or that their new space has brought the family together more as it is being used as a kitchen, eating and social area at the same time. Bathrooms are another important area. These days they are rarely seen as a purely functional room. If designed properly, they can be a sanctuary, a place to start the day off well in a superb shower or relax after a hard day in a wonderful bath.Bedrooms are another living are, whilst important, could be areas to save on if your budget is tight. For example, free-standing, antique or separate pieces of furniture can look better than expensive built-in bedroom storage. Soft furnishings and new lighting can also add impact for a low outlay.

WORK OUT YOUR BUDGET

Knowing how much to invest can be tricky. Consider carefully how long you are planning to spend in your home before selling, as this will help determine how much return you are likely to gain from your investment. If you are planning on staying put for another five to ten years, then on average your new kitchen or bathroom will pay for itself and may even provide a profit.Look online at the value of other properties in your area or ask for a valuation to discover how much your home is worth before any work begins. Ideally, look at those properties where similar interior work to yours has already been completed.Once you have a realistic budget then stick to it (always allowing a contingency). It is better to spread the work out over a few years and break it down into separate projects than spread your money too thinly and suffer a poor quality finish.

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL DESIGNER

This comes hand in hand with working with a realistic budget and will ensure your interior project is going to be a sound investment and that you will get the most from your money. An expert will be able to offer advice and suggestions on factors you may not have even considered.It is particularly useful to see your new layout in terms of both plans and good quality graphics. This will provide you with a far better understanding, and therefore control, over your project and you can then make informed decisions on how best to spend your money. In my experience, interior and exterior design should always be completed at the same time.

PLANNING PERMISSION

If you are planning on major building works, then you will also need to investigate planning permission. Your designer or architect should be able to provide you with information and assist you through this process. The online planning portal is now much more user-friendly and if planning permissions is not required, it is advisable to obtain a certificate to avoid a lengthy wait. It is not advisable to begin any building work without first obtaining permission.In addition to planning fees, there will be structural engineer and building control fees to be paid which should be factored into the initial budget. It is essential to follow all the guidelines correctly here, as if you don't have the right permission and certification, this can be detrimental to the overall house sale. 

AVOID FALSE ECONOMIES

Go Eco. Look into changing your heating and water system alongside any major work, particularly if your boiler is over 10 years old. Making your home more energy efficient usually involves a significant initial outlay but will save you money in the long run and is highly desirable when coming to sell. There are also a number of government grants available.

CORRECT PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS

Form follows function. In other words, get the design and layout right before choosing materials and interior furnishings. Use good quality products for longevity and classic colours that are unlikely to date.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT TEAM

Try to go with a team that can complete all the necessary work, rather than employ numerous individual tradespeople. Recommendations are a great way to start, followed up with verbal references, and you can even ask to see some previous completed work. Building work can be a very stressful process to oversee, made worse if expensive mistakes are made. Many of my clients are people who have tried to manage their own project in the past and have suffered bad experiences. A designer who project manages, or a team that includes this service, are extremely important in order to keep everything running smoothly and on schedule. What's more, this will allow you to focus on the more enjoyable parts of what should be an exciting and positive experience.

Courtesy of Places and Faces Magazine