Asda Money Reveals Five Top Tips for First Time Renovators

Asda Money reveals some useful tips and hints for first time renovators.

First time buyers have been busy snapping up properties all over the country.

The number of first time buyers in London increased by 15% in 2012, which is the biggest annual rise since 2007. Some 37,300 first-time buyers bought a home in London in 2012, up from 32,400 in 2011. The number of first time buyers in Scotland also rose to the largest annual total for four years, up by 13%. In Wales, there was a 5% rise in the number of new homebuyers in 2012 compared to 2011(1).

New property owners are typically keen to stamp their mark on their new home. Asda Money offers some top tips for home renovation:

1. Planning permission

Before knocking down any walls or putting any up, you may need to seek planning permission from your local planning office. Planning permission may also need to be secured for any extensions of your home you are planning to undertake, or for any changes made to a home that is located within a conservation area.

2. Building regulations

Not to be confused with planning permission, building regulations, are rules put in place to ensure that any changes made to a home are safe and accessible as well as ensuring that these alterations limit waste and environmental damage(2).

When completing a renovation project you will need to contact the building control department at your local authority who will send a building control officer to ensure that the work you are carrying out, such as loft extension, complies with building regulations.

3. Find a recommended builder

Finding a well-established and reliable builder could make a significant difference to your home renovation project. It would be worth going on the recommendation of a friend, family member or neighbour or consulting a professional organisation for advice, such as The National Federation of Builders.

4. Monitor your budget

You may need to manage your budget efficiently as you could quickly end up overspending. Adding in an additional financial buffer into your budget, could help to cater for unexpected costs, while shopping around and getting a range of quotes for materials and work could stand to make you savings.

5. Check your insurance cover

Taking steps to improve your home can be an exciting experience. However, it could also end up costing you more than you bargain for if you end up damaging the property or your possessions. House contents insurance is designed to financially protect your personal belongings and can cover accidental damage. It would be worth checking with your insurer what is covered before you start renovating and whether additional cover of any kind is required.

Notes to Editors

1. http://www.independent.co.uk/property/number-of-first-time-buyers-in-london-at-five-year-high-8511124.html
2. https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/providing-effective-building-regulations-so-that-new-and-altered-buildings-are-safe-accessible-and-efficient

About Asda Home Insurance

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Asda Money is a trading name of Asda Financial Services Limited. Asda Financial Services Limited uses a selection of companies to provide its products and services. Please refer to www.ASDA.com/money for details of our product partners and the relevant terms and conditions for each of our products and services.

Asda Home Insurance is arranged and administered by Commercial Vehicle Direct Insurance Services Ltd (CVD) who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm reference No. 302216). Registered office: MMT Centre, Severn Bridge, Aust Bristol BS35 4BL. Registered in England and Wales number 04137311.

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