Bedroom Renovation Planner

Renovation planner

We've spoken to hundreds of tradespeople and homeowners and boiled down the 15 steps to follow to get you through a renovation like an expert without going over budget or having to do avoidable rework!

Bathrooms

Kitchens

Utilities

Bedrooms

Plan

Decision making, give yourself at least 4 weeks.

Work out what you need vs. what you want

Ultimately you need to work out the trade offs you're prepared to make to prioritise features like the amount of storage you need or a particular size or position of bed. Lighting is also key - you want to make sure you have your bases covered for the different types of lighting you need to suit the different uses - task or desk lighting, mood, reading, getting dressed in front of a particular mirror.

Create two lists, wants and needs

List out what you want - the desirables - and what you actually need - practical aspects - to work out the extent of the project.

Sort through both lists and prioritise

Create a single priority “this is what we have to get out of it” list. If you are planning a spare bedroom you might want to prioritise flexibility for working from home - so a good sofa bed, big desk, multiple lighting layers etc.

Work out your budget

Set a budget at the very beginning to help you make decisions on layout, quality of the furniture, fixtures and fittings. There's lots of room to save spend when it comes to furniture - looking for reclaimed materials, second hand furniture etc. And just like a kitchen if you are keeping the same layout as your existing bedroom and already have the storage you need, it's possible to replace just the door / drawer fronts.

Plan your space

Bedrooms are generally easier to change than kitchens, but if you're adding storage, you'll want to get that right first time round! Make sure you have enough space for all your clothes, both now and in the future. Look for any dead space, like areas under sloping ceilings, where you might be able to build in storage. Make sure your bed fits(!) with enough room to move around and take advantage of the best views from the window. Consider space for getting ready, a workspace and a spot for a chair to drape clothes on - as well as the lighting that you'll need to make it all work at different times or purposes in the day. Try out different layouts until you find one that works perfectly for you.

Measure your bedroom and create a to-scale plan! yo

Draw a to scale plan

Mark your windows and doors

Add any structural obstacles

Mark your wall types solid, stud, external

Solid walls (or brick cavity walls) sound dull when you knock on them, are cold to the touch whereas stud walls sound hollow when you knock on them and may flex or move when pushed. Knowing your wall types could make a difference to the options you have for your layout.

Understand your floor construction

Concrete (means lots of hard work to move plumbing around 😢) or suspended timber (less work 😅)!

Make a decision on your style

Decide on the overall style of your bedroom - find your inspiration and create a mood board.

Explore and choose a layout

What can you achieve moving the furniture around?

Choose your furniture, fixtures, and fittings

Check all your dimensions

Ensure everything will actually fit against your to scale plan, and make sure you check those delivery or install lead times.

Layer on your electrical plan

Sockets for phone chargers, lighting for different purposes and times of day - this is where you plot out your ambient and task wall lights, ceiling lights and even lamp sockets.

Example Bedroom brief

Get and compare quotes

Getting recommendations from people you know and trust is THE most reliable way to find quality trades.

Ask local friends and family if there is anyone they would recommend

If you're new to the area, find local community forums, Facebook and Whatsapp groups to ask for recommendations. If you do need to use sites to find a trade, make sure they vet their members for quality of workmanship as well as customer service.

When someone recommends a trade, ask questions!

You'll be working together for the best part of a month so you want to make sure you can easily communicate to get the job done within time and budget. Ask about the quality of the work, the communication, their planning, whether there were any surprises. How did they handle issues that came up?

Create and verify your shortlist

Check out reviews online. Look for pictures of past projects and customer reviews, it 100% helps if they have completed a project of a similar style to your own! Before you finalise your shortlist, take a look at their Companies House records for legitimacy and financial health.

Get three quotes from your shortlist

You won't always get a quote from everyone you ask, so ask four people / firms straight off, so you have a better chance of getting 3 back.

Request a detailed breakdown of costs

Broken down between materials and labour and make sure you are clear who is responsible for buying what, whether the costs are inclusive or exclusive of VAT.

Clarify whether it is an estimate or fixed cost quote

Estimates are an idea of potential costs but you pay 'actuals' for labour time and materials etc. whereas fixed cost you will pay exactly that amount unless you change your requirement, regardless of how long it takes or the actual cost of materials when purchased.

Ask about availability and potential start dates

Immediate availability isn't necessarily a good sign! Why aren't they busy?

Agree the terms of the work

A written contract* protects both sides - ensuring everyone knows what to expect and what's covered.

Agree payment gateways

And never pay large sums up front. If you're comfortable doing so it's fine to pay a deposit, but be sure to keep it to no more than 20-30% of the overall cost, the smaller the amount the better.

Example Bedroom quote

* If you are working with an architect they will often create a contract for you. If you're working directly with a general builder / contractor or individual trades, it would typically be the builder or trades that provides a contract. If your chosen trades don't provide you with a contract, ask for one. If they don't already have a standard contract template they use, they can easily find one online. For example, The Federation of Master Builders provide contract templates for their members to use.

Prepare

From at least 4 weeks before work starts, which includes a 2 week returns window (you will need it!)

Get ordering

Check lead times

Like every other room, there will be lead times to consider, especially for building built in furniture which is often made off site and delivered ready for installation.

Plan for returns

If you're replacing a radiator for example, make sure you have ordered with enough time to check it's ok before fitting day

Order!

Confirming timings with your trades!

Get ready for the work

It helps things go smoothly and stay on track if you're as ready as possible ahead of work starting. Do this by preparing your home, and making sure to clarify all the little details with your trades - best not to make assumptions and instead clarify the details, in writing ideally.

Tidy

Remove all personal items, remove your furniture (as much as is possible).

Identify a space the builders can use for tools

Particularly when you have a small room.

Cover floors

Leading to and from the room to reduce the risk of damage.

Seal off rooms with plastic sheeting

Or alternative to minimise dust getting absolutely everywhere!

Establish a clear schedule

When is the start day, what time will they start in the morning?

Agree how you will communicate

Whatsapp? Group messages or a single point of contact?

Ensure trades have easy access to your home

Do they need a parking permit?

Renovation work

A major overhaul of a bedroom takes around 2-3 weeks, however this will of course depend on the level of work you are doing and the choices you've made, amount of storage etc.

Demolition

Removing old wardrobes, flooring

Removing old wallpaper

Building work

Making changes to the walls

Door openings

Replacing windows, doors, any repairs to the structure of the room

First fix plumbing & electrics

Installing new cables, back boxes, any other hidden wiring

If you are moving or changing your lighting, sockets etc.

Moving radiator pipes

Plastering walls & preparing the floor

Install insulation

Plastering

Prepare floors

Decorating

Paint and decorate the space

Second fix electrics

Fit lighting, sockets and switches

Installing the new radiator for example

Flooring

Fit new flooring

We recommend fitting flooring before wardrobes are fitted, as it provides a nice even surface

Fit door threshold

Install built-in furniture & dress windows

Fit the units

Curtains, blinds, shutters

Snagging and fixing

Throughout the renovation work, make sure you deal with issues quickly! It might seem obvious, but it's far better to tackle any issues you see there and then rather than wait until the wardrobes are fitted and it turns out someone has missed out a light from your plan… 😅

If something does come up that you haven't planned for (it happens!) make sure it's talked about in detail so that everyone understands the work and cost involved. If your trade doesn't offer up information about how a change or issue resolution will affect the cost, be sure to ask directly. There's nothing worse than an unexpected cost at the end of the project when the work's all done and it's too late to change your mind!

Make sure your trades clean up the area

So you can check everything is working and meets your expectations

Note the issues that need to be resolved

And share as soon as you can with your trade, in writing so you have a record to check off as things get fixed

Get a great nights sleep!

Template planner built on Trello - a free project management tool.

Get the free template

Save your renovation with a plan made on Reno.

Use Reno to design and plan your renovation. Get the results you want, first time, no rework and no going over budget ...or your money back with our 12 month guarantee!

Single Room

£60/year

Best for people renovating a single room

1 room, access for 12 months

What's Included