Utility Room 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

Like kitchens, utility rooms can do a lot of heavy lifting, so before you start making any decisions take the time to think about what you need from your space and how you use it. Ultimately you need to work out the trade offs you're prepared to make. Do you prioritise a separate washer, dryer and hanging space, or extra storage?

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 the new utility room” list.

Work out your budget

Set a budget at the very beginning to help you make decisions on layout, quality of the utility carcass, appliances, worktops, taps and so on to avoid disappointment (or having to find extra cash) later on. Buying refurbished appliances is one way to save cash, and of course if you are keeping the same layout as your existing utility, you could even keep the carcasses you have, and change everything else.

Plan your space

Ideally, you’ll have positioned the utility room near the kitchen or a bathroom to share plumbing and ventilation. Ensure it has enough power sockets for appliances like washing machines and dryers, which can be stacked to save space. Ventilation is crucial to prevent damp and mould, so include an extractor fan, as well as an opening window or door outside. Think about more durable materials for worktops and flooring to withstand moisture and chemicals, such as granite or ceramic tiles. Incorporate storage options with floor-to-ceiling cupboards and open shelves. Invest in energy-efficient and quiet appliances, and think about underfloor heating or heated clothes horses for drying clothes.

Measure your utility space and create a to-scale plan!

Add windows and doors

Add any structural obstacles

Like a supporting column.

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 that a wall you want to open up is a stud wall for example, could make a huge 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 utility. Modern or traditional? Shaker, flat fronted or raised-panel?

Explore and choose a layout

Galley, straight, l-shape, u-shape, with an island… explore what you can achieve moving the furniture around in a to-scale drawing of your space

Clarify if you need planning permission

Make sure you've captured the work required beyond the utility install itself

Choose your units, worktop, fixtures, and fittings

Check the dimensions of your chosen fixtures and fittings, and their delivery lead times

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

Layer on your electrical plan

Think in particular about the sockets and practical lighting you'll need.

Example Utility 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 Utility 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.

Looking for layout inspiration?

Check out our floor plan gallery to explore more plans and get layout inspiration and ideas for your new bathroom, ensuite, lounge or kitchen renovation.

Access the gallery

Prepare

From at least 6 weeks before work starts, which includes a 2 week returns window, dependent on lead times.

Get ordering

Check lead times

Buying everything you need for your new utility isn't as quick and easy as most other things we buy online. There are lead times, sometimes very very long lead times and you need to consider time to manufacture / make your utility too! This is especially tricky to coordinate when you are buying items from multiple different suppliers. Buying from one supplier does have the advantage of one point of contact should anything be wrong with your order.

Plan for returns

Set a delivery deadline in collaboration with your trade. Check appliances upon delivery, and if possible, with the delivery driver there so that you don't end up with a damaged fridge taking up lots of space.

Order!

Confirming timings with your trade.

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, empty cabinets and drawers, and set up a temporary utility space if needed.

Identify a space the builders can use for tools

Particularly when you have a small room.

Cover floors

Leading to and from the bathroom 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 typical utility room renovation takes around 4-6 weeks, however this will of course depend on the level of work you are doing (especially if this is a part of wider building work) and the choices you've made.

Demolition (2-3 days)

Feels like a lot of progress has been made in little time!

Removing the old utility, tiles, flooring

Disconnecting plumbing and electrical fixtures

Building work (2-3 days)

Making changes to the walls

Door openings

Replacing windows, doors, rebuilding walls, enforcing floor joists

First fix plumbing & electrics (1-2 days)

Laying new pipes for sinks, dishwashers, washing machines etc.

Installing new cables, back boxes, any other hidden wiring

Plastering walls & preparing the floor (2-3 days)

Install insulation

Plaster walls

Prepare floors

Fit new flooring

We recommend fitting flooring before the cabinets are fitted, as it helps protect your sub floor from leaks in the future, provides an even surface to fit the cabinets to and can make it far easier to maintain appliances.

Install Utility cabinets (2-4 days)

Fit the units

Make adjustments for height, appliances, service access

Worktop and splashback installation (1-3 days)

Fit the worktop

Fit any tiling, splashbacks

Second fix plumbing & electrics (1 day)

Connect and test sinks, taps

Hook up appliances and fit electrical components like lighting, plug sockets

Decorating / finishing (2-3 days)

Paint and decorate the space

Fit cabinet handles

Fit door threshold

Snagging and fixing (1-2 days)

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 it out. 😅

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.

Start using the utility

Test it out while your trades are still around to fix any issues.

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.

Check that you know where pipes etc are

And any access points e.g. how to turn the water off or cut the power to the washing machine.

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