The Complete Guide to Renovating and Improving Your Property

Liz Hodgkinson is a prolific author and journalist who has written over 40 books. She writes regularly on property matters for the Evening Standard and the Daily Mail, and also contributes to The Guardian, The Independent and various magazines and websites. She is the author of the highly successful The Complete Guide to Letting Property and The Complete Guide to Buying a Property Abroad (both published by Kogan Page).

part 1 preparation 1is it worth it? the true cost of renovation; the state of the property market; is it a good investment?; developing or renovating your own home; buying to let; raising the finance; 'staging' the property; conclusions 2getting started the builder-client relationship; how much do builders and other tradespeople charge?; be aware of the size and scope of the job; planning permission and other consents; buying a property to renovate or improve; where do you find good builders? 3the professionals an architect; a landscape gardener; a structural engineer; a project manager; a surveyor; an interior designer; an electrician and plumber; a tiler; a plasterer; a bricklayer; a carpenter or joiner; a painter or decorator; other trades; conclusion; your relationship with the builders or professionals part 2 achieving successful transformations 4kitchens and bathrooms kitchens; bathrooms; selling on 5adding on - conversions, conservatories and extensions extending outwards; loft conversions; basement conversions; garages; does the addition add on value?; financing the addition; renovation insurance; windows; energy efficiency 6renovations and restorations the right builders; planning permission and so on; developing for profit?; finding and financing the right place; listed building consent; conservation areas; noise and noise prevention; money matters;the process; conversions 7self-build153 michael jordan's experience; when is a self-build not a self-build?; planning permission;the utilities; the plots; skills needed; bungalow gobbling; barn conversions; timber frame houses; self-build for profit? 8finishing touches doors; windows; blinds and curtains; flooring; fireplaces; lighting and other electrical considerations; painting and decorating; wallpaper and other decorative features; shelving and storage; dressing and staging