Any renovation, big or small, can quickly get on top of you and your family if you don’t get on top of things early. Here at Cinch Storage we have a few lessons in how to steer through this disruptive period, keep smiling, and avoid any potential banana skins en route!

1 – Choose a Trusted Contractor! We always think a good referral is the best route to go down, even if his quote isn’t the cheapest. Make sure you protect yourself with a properly detailed contract that states the address, start date and completion date. Without this you could easily find your renovation stalled or delayed.

2 – Assume It’ll Go Over Budget. If your supplier isn’t on a fixed price, or you make amendments, the renovation is likely to cost more than you first planned. The 2012 Olympics ended up costing £6.4 billion more than first estimated, and while we are confident your renovation won’t end up costing £9 billion, everyone under-budgets.

3 – It’ll Take Longer Than You Think! Many think a medium sized conversion or extension will be a matter of weeks, but expect months. Contractors often underestimate in order to win business so be prepared to be let down. Fortunately with Cinch Storage, your storage bill is cheaper the longer you stay in storage, keeping your monthly outgoings down to a minimum.

4 – Hire One person to Manage Your Home Renovation. There’s likely to be many workers doing bits and pieces over the course of the renovation. They will all come and go without knowing the bigger picture. It is so much easier having a project manager who you can hold accountable, it may end up saving you money!

5 – Keep All Your Receipts. You may over order on some bits and pieces that a store would easily take back come the end of the project. Receipts may also be helpful come tax time!

6 – Protect Against Dust, Debris & Damage. Even if your contractor preps your home, you may want to do some of it yourself to limit exposure to dust and other allergens. We recommend taking down curtains, putting a protective tarp over the floors and cover furniture, bookcases and anything else that you value that can’t easily be moved.

7 – Store Your Favourite Belongings Out Of The House! Many medium sized renovations have a way of affecting every room. Whether it’s dust or more serious, you want your treasured belongings fully out of the way. Consider renting a storage room to keep your items secure and organised. One way or another our storage experts will be able to help on 01869 254 245.