January 28, 2025
Complete Home Renovation Timeline: Our 7 Step Guide
Tags
Design and Build
Interior Design
Project Management
Services
Having a clear vision of how you’d like to transform your property is the starting point of a 7 step renovation timeline, and we follow this process for every residential renovation project that we work on here at RVA. If you’re considering a renovation, but you’re struggling with turning the plans you have into something more tangible, this guide will help you to understand the stages that your home renovation will go through, before we hand it back over to you to enjoy.
Our timeline is based on the comprehensive design and build services that we offer, and this approach allows us to coordinate every aspect of the work, from the beginning. This way of working is already favoured by those looking to renovate in London, and design and build projects are becoming more popular in Dubai too, given how they can streamline the typical timeframe of a fit out. We’ve outlined our go-to steps so they are easy to follow, providing an estimate of how long each stage would account for in the overall process.
Step 1 – Having your initial design consultation
Duration: 1 hour for the consultation, 1 week for our team to review and brief our professionals
The first stage of any design and build project is the free design consultation that we offer, and it’s arguably the most important factor of the entire process. During your consultation, you’ll meet (either in person or virtually) with one of our project management experts, and they’ll ask you a series of questions about the vision that you have for your property. They’ll encourage you to share all of the details about what works, what doesn’t, and what you’d like to improve, carefully keeping note of everything you have shared.
This session usually lasts around an hour and a half, as over the past decade of working with clients on fit out projects in Dubai, London and Umbria, we’ve learned the importance of being in-depth at this point. By tailoring your consultation session to your exact requirements, we are able to make your brief completely bespoke, helping to give you more from your investment.
Step 2 – Coordinating our architectural designs
Duration: 2-3 weeks for our team to produce refined architectural plans
After your consultation session, your dedicated project manager will brief our wider team of experts; from technical designers to quantity surveyors and architects, devising a set of actions to follow in accordance with the information shared. Our architects will be responsible for producing initial drawings. Informed by the findings of our other consultants, and these will be shared with you for review. Any tweaks or refinements will be welcomed, and we will always find ways to incorporate exactly what you want into your final design.
The duration of this stage can vary depending on the scale of the project, and any amendments that you’d like us to action, but it usually takes around 2-3 weeks.
Step 3 – Submitting your planning permission application and obtaining permits
Duration: 1-3 weeks typical approval time, based on your location
Once we have finalised design plans in place, your project manager will ensure all legalities of the work to be completed have been met; this might look like applying for planning permission, obtaining building permits or listed building consent, or following any specific Dubai municipality regulations if your project is based in the UAE. We have a deep knowledge of these requirements, and we will meet everything applicable to your project before moving forwards.
Securing the relevant permissions/permits will be entirely dependent on the third-party (i.e. local council) that we are working with, so we usually allow a timeframe of 2-3 weeks for this step. We ensure total transparency at this point, providing you with status updates often.
Step 4 – Instructing our team of contractors
Duration: We allow for 2 weeks to align our contractors with the proposed schedule.
When we have secured the permission and permits necessary for the work to go ahead, we will move on to instructing our team of skilled contractors for the work to be carried out. We have the expertise needed for every aspect of construction, from builders and electricians, to plumbers, joiners and decorators. Your dedicated project manager will co-ordinate these teams, ensuring they are on-site exactly when they need to be, working to meet the agreed timeframes.
We’ll create a comprehensive construction roadmap, outlining who will be onsite and when, and this will be finalised within a two-week window.
Step 5 – Working onsite
Duration: This will depend on the project, but expect on-site workers for 6-9 months.
From here, our contractors will move on-site, implementing the plans that our design professionals have produced. We conduct regular site visits to oversee the quality and timeliness of the work, and we’re fortunate enough to work with contractors that prioritise both of these values in the way that we do. We’ll also invite you to the site to give you a first-hand understanding of the progress being made, and if you aren’t able to do so, we will update you digitally.
The duration of the work to be completed will be dictated by the scale of your project. A complete villa refurbishment, or a rear home extension can both take up to 9 months; whereas smaller scale loft conversions may have a completion of 6 months.
Step 6 – Quality checks and handover
Duration: 1-2 weeks for our team to visit, review, and manage any snags
Once any builders, decorators, plumbers or flooring fitters that have been supporting us have finished their part of the work, and our interior design experts have completed the final touches, we conduct a thorough quality inspection and review the project for any snags. Snags are minor details that require some follow up work, and they’re a normal occurrence on any project. We manage these instances before the handover, so that you have a picture-perfect space to call home.
Our team will review the site, and address any snags and the overall quality of the work over a 2 week period.
There’ll be no surprise in the fact that this is one of our favourite parts of any project, as it gives us the opportunity to show and tell you exactly how we have met and exceeded your expectations.
Step 7 – Aftercare and long term maintenance
Duration: Ongoing from the day your home becomes operational
When we’re confident that our quality standards have been met, and any snags have been managed, we will arrange the final handover. There’ll be no surprise in the fact that this is one of our favourite parts of any project, as it gives us the opportunity to show and tell you exactly how we have met and exceeded your expectations. We’re here from you from this point and beyond with a 3-year guaranteed aftercare package, and this covers any minor maintenance issues such as wear and tear. We’re happy to address these things, because we’re committed to giving you longevity from your investment with us.
Design a high-quality home on your terms with RVA
We take pride in guiding our customers through this process, whether it involves renovating a villa in Dubai Hills, a casale in Umbria, or a Victorian townhouse in London. When you’re ready to elevate your everyday living experience, we’re here – simply contact us to find out more or book your free design consultation online now.
