Do you dream of having a brand new kitchen, a spacious home extension, or any other major home refurbishment? Well, understanding the full process is crucial to being certain that a project of this scale is for you! Here at Alexander Builders Suffolk, we’re transparent with every step of the process so that you can feel confident in your refurbishment.
So let’s walk you through what you can expect when you choose us for your home refurb, from those very first thoughts right through to the final detail.
Phase 1: Planning & Drawing it Up
This is where your vision starts to take shape!
First Conversation & What You’re Looking For: We begin as we intend to continue – by listening. What are the big plans for your home? Is it a minor bathroom renovation, a huge multi-storey addition, or a full house makeover? Regardless of what it is, we’ll sit down and discuss your vision, what you need, and, naturally, your budget.
Planning Permission & Building Regs: Many changes, specifically extensions or anything that makes changes to the outside of your property, will need planning permission. And all structural work must comply with UK Building Regulations. Relax, we’ll walk you through this tedious process, assisting you in compiling and submitting all the right paperwork to ensure your project is completely legitimate. Just a warning, this can be the longest part, with planning permission taking around 8-12 weeks.
Your Quote & Contract: Once your designs are all sorted and all the permissions are taken care of, we’ll offer you a detailed quote. It’ll list out all the costs, materials, and a fairly reasonable timeline. We aim to make this process as simple and easy to understand as possible.
Phase 2: Preparation
With plans approved and everything signed, it’s time for us to get hands-on!
Sorting Out the Timetable: We will develop a detailed timetable for your project, so that each of the different steps are scheduled in for an efficient flow. We’ll also talk about things like accessing the site, how we’ll dispose of waste, and how we’ll keep disturbance to your normal life to an absolute minimum.
Setting Up & Securing Your Home: Before work commences, we’ll ensure the area is secure, your current property is well covered, and we have everything ready for our team.
Phase 3: Beginning the project
It is here that your new property’s design and planning comes together.
Structural Work: That means the addition of foundations for extensions, the building of new support walls, or any other structural work that needs completing. That is a critical stage that lays the groundwork for the rest of the project.
Hiding the Plumbing & Electrics: All “behind the scene’s” electricals (cables and wires for your switches, sockets, and lights) and plumbing (heating, waste, and water pipes) go in before we’re finished closing up the walls.
Windows & Doors Are Installed: Your new windows and exterior doors are installed, so your home is watertight and secure.
Insulation & Plasterboarding: Once all of those bits that you can’t see are in, we then add insulation to make your house energy-efficient. Then, we put plasterboard up on the walls and ceilings, ready for plastering.
Phase 4: Finishing Touches
This is where your refurbishment begins to shine!
Plastering & Skimming: Walls and ceilings are finished with a smooth, beautiful finish, ready for wallpaper or paint.
The Visible Electrics & Plumbing: All your light fittings, plug sockets, switches, radiators, boilers, and visible plumbing bits (showers, taps, toilets) are fitted.
Kitchen & Bathroom: Your new kitchen units, worktops, appliances, and bathroom suites are expertly fitted. This is often the most exciting part for homeowners!
Internal Woodwork: Your new internal doors, skirting boards, and any built-in cupboards are all fitted.
Flooring Down: Your new flooring is fitted, whether it’s wood, tiles, carpet, or something entirely different.
Decorating: Painting, wallpapering, and all the rest of the decorative details are finished.
Phase 5: Wrapping Up
The last few things involve thorough checks to ensure that you’re absolutely in love with your new refurbishment.
Cleaning: We’ll give the whole site a good clean, leaving your new refurbishment in perfect condition.
Ready to start planning your Suffolk house remodelling?
Why not contact Alexander Builders Suffolk today for a free, no-obligation discussion? Let us talk about your dream and how we can make it a reality for you, whether you’re in Ipswich, Martlesham, Woodbridge, or further afield within Suffolk.
Thinking of starting a project?
Get in touch today to speak with one of our specialists: