In What Order Should You Renovate a House?

August 1, 2025

The Expert Guide to House Renovation

Renovating a home, whether you’re updating a single room or tackling a full property transformation, is a significant undertaking. At THT Ltd, we’ve spent over 15 years helping homeowners across Southampton, Eastleigh, Winchester, and surrounding areas renovate with confidence.

A successful renovation starts with one critical question:
“What’s the correct order to renovate a house?”

Get the order wrong, and you risk budget overruns, delays, and avoidable damage. Get it right, and everything runs smoothly, from demolition to decoration. This expert guide will walk you through the ideal sequence, based on our hands-on experience managing hundreds of renovation projects.

Step 1: Assess, Plan & Budget

Before any physical work begins, start with clarity:

  • What areas need renovation?
  • Are there structural issues or compliance upgrades required?
  • What’s your realistic budget?

At THT, we always begin with a thorough site visit and consultation. We’ll help you assess the property’s condition and create a step-by-step project plan that reflects both your priorities and your budget.

Step 2: Structural Repairs & Compliance

Once your plan is in place, tackle the fundamentals:

  • Roofing issues
  • Foundation movement or cracks
  • Damp proofing
  • Outdated plumbing or unsafe electrics

This is the phase where the unseen, but essential, work is done. As Gas Safe and NICEIC-registered professionals, THT handles all plumbing, gas, and electrical upgrades to ensure your home meets current safety standards.

Step 3: External Work & Weatherproofing

If you’re replacing windows, doors, rendering, or re-roofing, now’s the time. External work ensures the building is sealed against the elements before internal upgrades begin. THT works on both modern and period properties, preserving character while improving insulation and security.

Step 4: Demolition, Strip-Out & Internal Layout Changes

Want to knock through a wall for an open-plan kitchen? Create a utility room? Add an extension? These layout changes happen now. We’ll manage the safe removal of walls, fixtures, and fittings while preparing the space for its new design.

Step 5: First Fix – Plumbing, Heating & Electrics

This is one of the most technical stages, and it’s where THT’s multi-trade expertise really shines.
Here’s what gets installed:

  • Electrical wiring, fuse boards, sockets, and lighting points
  • Pipework for water and heating
  • Boiler systems, underfloor heating, and ventilation

We ensure all systems are future-proof and designed to suit your lifestyle, whether you’re going smart-home-ready or keeping things simple.

Step 6: Plastering, Insulation & Drywall

Once the ‘invisible’ systems are in place, your renovation moves into the visual phase. Walls are rebuilt or re-lined, ceilings are repaired or replaced, and surfaces are plastered. This is where your space starts to look like a home again.

Step 7: Second Fix – Kitchens, Bathrooms & Carpentry

Now the fittings go in:

  • Kitchen units and appliances
  • Bathroom suites (toilets, sinks, showers, baths)
  • Internal doors, skirting, architraves, shelving, and built-in furniture

At THT, we handle full kitchen and bathroom renovations in-house, so you benefit from seamless coordination between all trades.

Step 8: Decoration & Flooring

This is where everything comes together:

  • Walls and ceilings are painted or wallpapered
  • Flooring is laid (tiles, wood, vinyl, carpet)
  • Final touches like splashbacks, mirrors, and hardware are fitted

THT’s attention to detail ensures the finish is clean, durable, and exactly as envisioned.

Step 9: Snagging & Sign-Off

Before completion, we carry out a full snagging inspection, checking finishes, fittings, and functionality. Any small adjustments or refinements are completed before handover.

We leave your home clean, safe, and ready to enjoy.

Summary: The Ideal Renovation Sequence

  1. Plan & Budget
  2. Structural Repairs
  3. Exterior Work
  4. Demolition & Layout Changes
  5. First Fix (Plumbing, Heating, Electrics)
  6. Plastering & Walls
  7. Second Fix (Kitchens, Bathrooms, Carpentry)
  8. Decorating & Flooring
  9. Snagging & Completion

Renovating a House in Hampshire? Trust THT Ltd.

As a Which? Trusted Trader, THT Ltd is proud to be one of the most recommended home improvement companies in the region. Whether you’re renovating a single room or transforming an entire home, our qualified team offers end-to-end service on time, on budget, and to the highest standard.

  • Over 15 years’ experience
  • Fully insured & accredited team
  • Kitchen, bathroom, heating & renovation specialists
  • Based in Southampton, covering Eastleigh, Romsey, Winchester & beyond

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation and discover how we can bring your renovation project to life: www.thtltd.co.uk

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