Tips & guides
Our Advice page is your one-stop-shop for home renovation tips, whether you're a new homeowner, experienced, or planning to buy a home soon.
How many quotes should I get?
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
What do I need to give builders so they can quote accurately?
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
Should decorating and flooring be in the quote?
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
Should the bathroom suite be a PC sum?
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
Should the kitchen units be in the builder’s price or bought separately?
questions
Kitchen
Quotes
supply
inclusions
Why is the cheapest quote usually the most expensive in the end?
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
Renovations
Why are builders’ quotes so different for the same job?
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
Is it a bad sign if a quote has no breakdown?
Quotes
Renovations
Homeowner Support
builders
breakdown
What’s the difference between a quote and an estimate?
Renovations
Decision fatigue
quote
estimate
difference
What is a prime cost sum and how much should I allow?
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
What is a provisional sum?
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
What are preliminaries and why are they so expensive?
Decision fatigue
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Every renovation hits a problem. What matters is how it’s handled.
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
What is a Schedule of Works?
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
Drowning in decisions before the reno’s even started? Here’s what actually matters
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
Refer a friend, get £200: How our referral programme works
Referrals
Renovations
Homeowner Support
How do I know what to look for or value in a word of mouth recommendation?
Trustworthy
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Vetting
Did your builder leave mid-project with £15,000? Here’s a payment structure that would have protected you
Trustworthy
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Payment Plans
I no longer trust builders after a previous job was left unfinished. How do I move forward?
Trustworthy
Expertise
Renovations
Homeowner Support
I’m planning my first renovation and feel completely out of my depth. Where do I even start?
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Trustworthy
Expertise
My friend’s builder was brilliant for them. Why do I feel like that means nothing for my project?
Trustworthy
Expertise
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Bespoke Builder
I have a budget but I’m worried it’s wrong: How to set a renovation budget you can actually work with.
Trustworthy
Budget
Expertise
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Last time was a disaster: How to renovate with confidence the second time around.
Trustworthy
Support
Expertise
Renovations
Homeowner Support
My last builder was great at first, then ghosted me. What warning signs did I miss?
Trustworthy
Support
Expertise
Renovations
Homeowner Support
The ‘stupid questions’ every first-time renovator should actually be asking
Homeowner Support
Trustworthy
Support
Expertise
Renovations
How many trades does it really take to complete a bathroom project?
Support
Expertise
Pagers
Trades
How do I know when a builder is good and not just friendly or well priced?
Support
Guidance
Management
Control
Will I ‘rock the boat’ if I discuss an issue about my Pager with you?
Guidance
Management
Control
Support
How do I protect myself from a renovation going over budget and over time?
Control
SoW
Design
Guidance
Management
Planning
Budget
Builder’s wisdom: The advice every homeowner needs before starting a renovation
Guidance
Management
Planning
Trustworthy