Renovation of empty homes

Having decided to renovate your empty property, prior to selling or letting it, you will need to plan the required works.

If the job is on a large scale or is very complicated, you may need to seek advice from an architectural professional or a surveyor. They can also help develop your plans and manage the project for you.

You can find a lot of information about renovating a property on Planning and Building Control pages of this website and here is a summary of some of things that you should think about.

Finding a building contractor

Refurbishing your empty property is an important investment, so choosing the right building contractor to carry out the work for you is an important decision. When selecting a builder, bear in mind these useful tips:

• When selecting a building contractor you are advised to ensure that the quality of their work will be of a high standard which can sometimes be difficult
• Be wary of builders who knock on your door or ring you up and do not have premises that you can visit. Anyone can claim to be a builder
• Use contractors that have been recommended to you or who belong to a trade association. Some associations carry out occasional inspection of their members’ work, operate protection schemes and may also be able to help to resolve any disputes between you and your builder
• If you need to employ an engineer to install or check gas appliances, make sure they are Gas Safe registered, as legally required. You can check this on the website www.gassaferegister.co.uk or by telephoning 0800 408 5500
• You may wish to use a builder who can give a warranty to cover the work in case things go wrong. You could also cover the work additionally with a guarantee scheme
• Get a written quote for the costs of your project from more than one building contractor so you can compare prices. Make sure they give you a quote for a fixed price, not an estimate. You are not under any obligation to use a builder who has given you a quote
• Short list a number of contractors and weigh up their proposals. After choosing the quotation that offers the best value (which is not always the lowest price!) it is advisable to draw up a written contract with the builder you have chosen
• Do not accept a quote from a builder who has not visited the property – a detailed inspection of the property is needed before a comprehensive quote can be made
• Do not be pressurised by builders into carrying out any unnecessary work. Give them a full list of the work you need when they quote for the work
• Check that the contractor is insured against causing damage to work and materials and to your and your neighbours’ property
• Never pay for all of the work in advance. If necessary, agree to stage payments. Finally, make sure you are happy with the builder you choose and you can trust them

Finalising the contract

Remember that the design and specification of the works must be finalised before a building contractor is appointed. Your budget must also be finalised and you should allow for a contingency provision.

A written contract will need to detail exactly the work to be done, start and finish dates, details of any guarantees and the price that you have agreed.

You will also need to arrange how the work will be paid for; avoid paying a large sum up front. However a small deposit may be required and for large projects, payment may be required in stages.

When you refurbish your property, it is advisable to install additional security measures to keep your property safe and secure.