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?
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
What do I need to give builders so they can quote accurately?
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
Renovations
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?
Kitchen
Quotes
supply
inclusions
questions
Why is the cheapest quote usually the most expensive in the end?
tenderservice
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
scheduleofworks
Why are builders’ quotes so different for the same job?
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
Is it a bad sign if a quote has no breakdown?
Renovations
Homeowner Support
builders
breakdown
Quotes
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?
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
What are preliminaries and why are they so expensive?
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
Every renovation hits a problem. What matters is how it’s handled.
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Decision fatigue
What is a Schedule of Works?
Decision fatigue
scheduleofworks
tenderservice
Renovations
Homeowner Support
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
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Referrals
How do I know what to look for or value in a word of mouth recommendation?
Homeowner Support
Vetting
Trustworthy
Renovations
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?
Trustworthy
Expertise
Renovations
Homeowner Support
My friend’s builder was brilliant for them. Why do I feel like that means nothing for my project?
Homeowner Support
Bespoke Builder
Trustworthy
Expertise
Renovations
I have a budget but I’m worried it’s wrong: How to set a renovation budget you can actually work with.
Expertise
Renovations
Homeowner Support
Trustworthy
Budget
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
Trustworthy
Support
Expertise
Renovations
Homeowner Support
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?
Guidance
Management
Control
Support
Will I ‘rock the boat’ if I discuss an issue about my Pager with you?
Control
Support
Guidance
Management
How do I protect myself from a renovation going over budget and over time?
Guidance
Management
Planning
Budget
Control
SoW
Design
Builder’s wisdom: The advice every homeowner needs before starting a renovation
Management
Planning
Trustworthy
Guidance