Renovating your home
From the first idea to the final walk-through: plans, permits, contractors, contracts and paperwork, in order. Where the UK works differently, the note says so.
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Time: a few months to a year, depending on the job
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Plan and budget
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Contractors can only give you comparable bids if they’re pricing the same job.
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Opening up walls and floors can turn up work nobody planned for.
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It’s easier while walls are open: the energy rating checklist helps you choose.
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Some associations must approve plans before work starts.
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Rules vary by place. UK: ask your local planning authority; planning permission and building regulations approval are separate.
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The FTC lists a contractor asking you to get the permits as a sign of a scam.
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EPA rules say anyone paid to do that work must be certified in lead-safe work practices.
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The EPA advises against taking samples yourself; removal is a job for trained professionals. UK: buildings from before 2000 may contain it.
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In England and Wales, notice must go out between 2 months and a year before work starts.
Contractors and bids
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Ask for proof of insurance. UK: if the work is done by someone registered in a competent person scheme, you don’t need building regulations approval yourself.
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Also ask your state or local consumer protection office about complaints.
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Each should describe the work, materials, completion date and price. Don’t pick the lowest just because it’s lowest.
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All three are on the FTC’s list of home improvement scam signs.
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Put every verbal promise in writing, and leave no blank spaces.
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Don’t pay it all up front: some states cap the down payment. Never make the final payment until the work is done.
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US: the FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule usually gives you three days. UK: usually 14 days for contracts made away from the trader’s premises.
During the work
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The FTC flags contractors who only take cash.
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You’ll know where things run the next time you drill or repair.
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In a pre-1978 home, the EPA says the key is to keep children from coming into contact with lead.
Finishing up
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This list is often called a punch list.
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UK: without building regulations approval, you may not have the certificates you need when you sell.
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In the US, improvements add to your home’s tax basis, which can lower the taxable gain when you sell.
Job done
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Good to know
- Permits, inspections and contractor licensing are set by your state, county or city: the building department is the place to ask.
- Planning permission and building regulations approval are two different things in the UK, and a project can need both.
- If you’re upgrading insulation, windows or heating, check the rebates before you sign: federal tax credits for new energy upgrades ended after 2025.
Frequently asked questions
How many quotes should I get for a renovation?
At least three written estimates for the same scope of work. The FTC suggests comparing the description of the work, the materials, the completion date and the price, and asking for an explanation if there’s a big gap between bids.
How much should I pay a contractor up front?
As little as you can agree on: the FTC advises against paying the full amount up front and notes that some states limit down payments. Tie the other payments to finished stages, and hold back the final one until the job is done.
Can I cancel a home improvement contract?
In the US, if you signed it at your home, the FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule usually gives you three business days to cancel, with some exceptions such as emergency repairs. In the UK, contracts made away from the trader’s premises usually come with a 14-day cancellation period.
Next step
I’m not an accountant or a financial advisor. This is an estimate, for information only. Check with a professional before you decide.
- The checklistToward a better energy rating
- The calculatorHeat pump or gas heating?
- The guideEnergy efficiency: where to start
- The routeAn energy-efficient home
Sources
- FTC — How to avoid a home improvement scam
- FTC — Buyer’s remorse: the Cooling-Off Rule
- EPA — Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program
- EPA — Protect your family from exposures to asbestos
- HSE — Introduction to asbestos safety
- GOV.UK — Planning permission: when you need it
- GOV.UK — Building regulations approval
- GOV.UK — Party walls: when and how to tell your neighbors
- Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, regulation 30: the cancellation period — legislation.gov.uk
- IRS — Publication 523, Selling Your Home: improvements and basis
For permits, contracts and taxes, if you’re unsure, check with your building department, a licensed professional or a tax advisor.