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Basics
Renovation order: which job comes first
Doing renovation jobs in the wrong order means paying twice: new paint scratched by the flooring fitter, or a finished wall opened again for a cable. This guide sets out a sensible sequence and explains why each step comes where it does.
1. Plan, budget and check the rules
Write down what each room needs and in what order the rooms will be done. Get a rough budget with a contingency of 10–20% for surprises; the Project cost calculator helps add it up. Check whether any work needs a permit or a licensed trade, and in older homes check for hazards such as lead paint or asbestos before anything is disturbed.
2. Strip out and demolition
Remove what is being replaced: old fittings, flooring, tiles, plaster. Protect what stays, especially floors and stairs, and plan where the waste goes. Demolition often reveals hidden problems such as rot, damp or old wiring, so it belongs at the start, while the plan can still change.
3. Structure, roof and windows
Fix structural problems, roof leaks and damp first, then fit new windows and external doors. Everything after this step depends on a dry, sound shell.
4. First fix: wiring, plumbing and heating
Run new cables, pipes and ducts while walls and floors are open. This is the time to add sockets, lighting points and outlets you may want later, because adding them after the walls are finished is costly. Electrical and gas work must follow local rules and is often reserved for licensed trades.
5. Insulation and walls
With the services in, insulate walls, floors and roofs, then close up with drywall or plaster. Let wet plaster and screeds dry fully before the next layer; moisture trapped under new floors causes problems later. See Insulation materials compared: wool, EPS, XPS, PIR and How to build a drywall partition: step-by-step guide.
6. Second fix and finishes
A common order is: ceilings and walls primed and given a first coat of paint, then kitchen and bathroom units and tiling, then second fix (switches, sockets, taps), then the flooring, and finally skirting boards and the last coat of paint. Fitting the floor late protects it; some fitters prefer painting before the floor, so agree the order with them. See How to paint a wall: a step-by-step guide.
7. Clean, check and snag
Walk through every room with a list: doors that stick, paint touch-ups, sealant gaps, things that do not work. Fix them before final payments and before furniture moves in.
Common mistakes
- Laying the new floor before plastering and painting are done.
- Closing walls before adding all the sockets and pipes you will need.
- Starting interior finishes before roof leaks and damp are fixed.
- Not drying plaster and screed before covering them.
- Leaving no contingency in the budget for hidden problems.
Frequently asked questions
What should be done first in a renovation?
Planning and any structural, roof or damp repairs. Interior finishes only come after the building is sound and dry.
Should I paint or lay the floor first?
Usually paint first and lay the floor afterwards, then do a final coat or touch-up after the skirting boards are fitted.
When should electrics be done in a renovation?
The first fix of wiring happens while walls are open, before plastering; switches and sockets go on near the end.
How much contingency should I add?
Commonly 10–20% of the budget, more for older houses.
Can I live in the house during a renovation?
Often yes, if you renovate room by room and keep a kitchen and bathroom working, but dusty and noisy stages are hard to live with.