How to Plan a Residential Refurbishment: Steps and Tips

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Taking on a residential refurbishment is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Whether you’re updating a single room or undertaking a full home renovation, good planning is key to ensuring your project runs smoothly, stays on budget, and delivers the result you’re hoping for.

In this post, we’ve broken down the essential steps and tips for planning a successful refurbishment.

Step 1: Define Your Goals

Before any work begins, it’s important to be clear on what you want to achieve. Are you modernising a dated property, improving energy efficiency, or creating more space for family living? Having clear objectives helps guide your design choices and prevents scope creep once the work is under way.

Step 2: Set a Realistic Budget

Refurbishment costs can escalate quickly if they aren’t carefully managed. Be sure to factor in not just construction and labour costs, but also finishes, fixtures, and a contingency allowance for unexpected issues. A well-planned budget avoids nasty surprises later down the line.

Step 3: Understand Regulations and Permissions

Depending on the scale of the work, you may need planning permission or approval under UK Building Regulations. This is particularly important if you’re altering the structure, adding extensions, or changing the use of a property. Always check with your local authority before work starts to avoid costly delays.

For example, fire protection and sound insulation are common requirements in multi-residential refurbishments. At Broadsword, we deliver compliant residential refurbishment and fire protection services that meet these standards.

Step 4: Choose the Right Team

A successful refurbishment relies on experienced professionals who understand the technical, regulatory, and design aspects of residential projects. From architects and designers to specialist contractors, choosing a skilled team will ensure the work is carried out safely, legally, and to a high standard.

Step 5: Plan for Disruption

Refurbishments often involve dust, noise, and temporary disruption to your home life. Make arrangements for alternative accommodation if necessary, particularly for major works like screeding or extensive fit-outs. Even small projects benefit from having a clear plan to minimise disruption.

Step 6: Don’t Overlook Fire and Safety Measures

It’s easy to get caught up in choosing new kitchens or flooring, but fire safety, compartmentation, and proper ventilation are just as important. Investing in fire protection and compliant installations protects your property and your family for the long term.

Step 7: Keep Communication Open

Regular updates with your contractor or project manager are essential. A simple weekly meeting or call can help spot issues early, adjust timelines, and keep everyone aligned with your goals and budget.

Tips for Success

  • Prioritise quality over shortcuts – it may cost more upfront, but it pays off in longevity.

  • Think about resale value – design choices should balance personal taste with broad appeal.

  • Consider sustainability – eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems can reduce running costs and increase value.

Final Thoughts

A residential refurbishment is an opportunity to completely transform a property and tailor it to your lifestyle. By taking the time to plan carefully, assemble the right team, and stay on top of compliance, you can ensure the process is smooth and the results are worth the investment.

At Broadsword, we specialise in residential refurbishments that combine design vision with technical expertise. To explore how we can support your next project, visit our Residential services page or contact us to arrange a consultation with one of our experts.

air sealing

What is air sealing?

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Air sealing is the process of restricting air movement through tiny cracks and gaps in your business or residential property. When you run heating or ventilation in your home this builds pressure. If leaks and gaps are present it can transfer conditioned air to the outside reducing efficiency. Air leakage can account for around 30% of heating costs. Air sealing prevents the loss of this conditioned air by filling in the tiny cracks and gaps.

A massive amount of energy is wasted due to the air leaking from cracks, holes and gaps at your property. This can cause several issues including increased risk of condensation and cause health risks caused by damp and drafts. Broadsword can work with you to inspect and plan the repair of these cracks and gaps to ensure your property is airtight.  Doing so can also have a monetary savings on your heating bills as air sealing is proven to reduce energy costs.

How Air Leakage Affects your business or residential property?

Air leakage not only affects energy loss but also contributes to property deterioration. Obvious air leakages will be easy to spot and easily resolved; however, hidden air leakages are the root problem and can be harder to find and treat. Air that leaks must be replaced and is usually drawn in from the ground. If you don’t have an effective vapour barrier, moisture can be absorbed causing mould development, water damage or animal infestations. Moisture can enter your property using the tiniest gaps. This can aid in the damage of your properties foundations.

How to Air Seal your Home?

Here is a brief breakdown of how a home is air sealed:

  • Loft Air Sealing – Any hole made in your ceiling is called a thermal bypass or an air leak. This extends to lights, fans, plumbing stacks and chimneys. Most of these holes can have foam sprayed into them; however, items like chimneys and recessed lights require more specialist methods.
  • Plug Outlet Air Sealing – The simplest method of air sealing an outlet is to use foam backers behind outlet covers and child proof plugs to prevent air coming out the holes.
  • Basement and Crawlspace Air Sealing – There are a lot of possible leakage spots in the basement. When looking to air seal your business or residential property, the basement should be your priority. Rim joists and the sill plate that it sits on can be a major leakage point and can have a lot of holes surrounding it. These are usually filled with caulk or foam.

What are the Benefits of Air Sealing?

  1. Energy Efficiency – The energy consumption of your commercial or residential building usually depends on the age of it. New properties are built with energy efficiency in mind, whereas older properties can tend to use a lot more. Both new and old properties can benefit from air sealing but the changes in efficiency to older houses can be dramatic with anything up to a 50% saving on energy expenses.
  2. Increase of Indoor Air Quality – Fresh outdoor air is a good way of increasing indoor air quality; however, this should be controlled using a ventilation system and not through cracks and gaps. These gaps are uncontrolled and can carry moisture, pollution and allergen into your property causing a whole host of problems including medical issues like asthma and allergies.
  3. Prevent Mould Deterioration Around your Property – Mould spores travel through the air and can be traced pretty much anywhere. They can be taken along by the wind and end up in all sorts of nooks and crannies of your property including attics, basements and crawl spaces. If the tiny cracks and gaps aren’t filled and these spores mix with the moisture that has infiltrated into your property mould will begin to appear in these spaces. Air sealing maintains these areas of your property causing them to be dry and prevent the spread of mould.
  4. Increased Comfort – Cracks and gaps in your property can cause drafts, noticeable temperature differences in rooms and cold floors and walls. This can create a very unpleasant environment which can be made infinitely better by air sealing.
  5. Prevents Property Deterioration – Toxins, pollution and mould can all impact on your property’s foundations. Air sealing will prevent all of these particles from entering your loft and crawl spaces causing water damage, vermin infestations and mould development.
  6. Cost Effective – Air sealing repairs can start saving you money as soon as it’s done. Your energy bills can improve, along with your air quality and your peace of mind that you will not need to pay out on unnecessary repairs due to air leakage.

To book an inspection with our fully qualified and insured team contact Broadsword on 02380 675 888. The team will be able to talk through your concerns and arrange an inspection at your commercial or residential property.

FIRAS

Broadsword launch Fire Protection Arm

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We are proud to announce that we have launched a new Fire Protection Arm of the Company.

Broadsword are experts in fire protection and are FIRAS accredited.

Most companies do not realise that they need fire protection and if they do, they don’t know where they can get it.  

Broadsword Fire Protection LTD can make sure that your building is protected from fire, we can also retrospectively assist with existing buildings.

Building regulations outline the need for large buildings to be divided into compartments and specifies the level of fire performance the compartment walls and floors need to achieve in order to preserve both building structure and life through fire and smoke containment.

In most buildings, mechanical and electrical services by necessity breach compartment walls and floors allowing failure of integrity and insulation to occur where gaps around services have not been adequately fire stopped. The use of correctly installed certified fire stopping systems will contain a fire at its source and limit the risk of the destruction caused by the spread of fire and the release of toxic gasses.

If you require a competent fully accredited fire protection company, you have just found it!

Broadsword Fire Protection LTD welcomes your enquiries.

Housing

House-building boosts construction activity

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Surging mortar sales reached a record high in 2018, indicating that house-building in Great Britain remained buoyant in 2018. However,  faltering concrete sales suggest an industry in limbo, waiting for planned infrastructure projects to get going.

Latest data from the Mineral Products Association (MPA) show volumes of mortar sales at their highest level since records began in 2004.

The majority of mortar sales take place within six months of house-building projects starting, so increased volumes indicate that new starts also grew during 2018.

Year-on-year mortar volumes increased by 14.3%, despite dropping by 1% in the fourth quarter. This trend suggests more cause for optimism than other market indicators such as Office for National Statistics data on brick deliveries, which show just a 1.6% increase in the 12 months to Q3 2018.

Beyond house-building, the wider picture of construction demand for construction mineral products is more muted, reflecting an industry still waiting for major projects to get going.

Ready mixed concrete sales volumes fell 1.6% nationally in 2018, weighed down by reduced demand in London, where sales declined by 4.8%.

The MPA’s analysis shows that the southern regions of England and Wales led asphalt sales in 2018, indicative of roadbuilding and maintenance activity, contributing to a 0.7% growth nationally and offsetting declines in most other regions.  Many Highways England projects appear to have been pushed to the back end of the current spending periods.

Aurelie Delannoy, director of economic affairs at the MPA, said: “Like many sectors, construction is awaiting the outcome of Brexit negotiations, but our data shows that Great Britain is still building despite the uncertainty. In particular, strong mortar sales indicate continuing new house-building projects in 2018.  Our analysis, based on actual sales and on-the-ground activity rather than sentiment, suggests this has been higher than forecasted by other metrics.

“Elsewhere, the picture for the industry is more muted as we wait for several major infrastructure schemes to make the leap from the planning phase to the construction site.  Policymakers and clients need to be mindful that the critical mineral resources that underpin our built environment don’t flow from a tap, and preparations to ensure a ready supply need to begin early in a project’s lifecycle.”

The MPA represents more than 520 companies across the £20bn sector.  Its sales data is seasonally adjusted and drawn from the MPA membership which covers 100% of GB cement production, 90% of aggregates, 95% of asphalt and more than 70% of ready mixed and precast concrete production.

Source: The Construction Index

Contractors pay

Are developers and local authorities now in competition?

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Theresa May’s removal of the local authority borrowing cap during this year’s party conference was a cause for concern among property developers.

In many ways it was a pragmatic step – one many described as long overdue. In theory it serves to diversify the housing market, stimulate industry capacity and help councils meet their affordable home requirements.

However, it also put local authorities into direct competition with small and regional developers, potentially causing a profound restructuring of the construction industry.

Councils are now able to potentially bid for development sites at the expense of local developers.

Authority advantage

Many authorities have already set up their own development companies. These are either standalones or joint ventures with recognised developers, who bring to the table a wealth of experience in marketing, styling and quality. These partnerships are important – local authorities won’t chase large-scale projects until they have gained the confidence and manpower to deliver.

In approaching development work, local authorities have a number of advantages over small and regional developers. They enjoy access to cheaper funding, as they are able to borrow from the government at very low rates. And because they can also borrow for longer periods of time, they can adopt longer-term building strategies.

Historically, funds had to be used by a specific date (often not very far in the future), which tended to prohibit financing larger developments this way, given the time it usually takes to see a large development through to completion.

However, the revised funding available to local authorities can now be drawn down over a much longer period of time. In fact, local authorities have been buying up investment property using government funding, extended at these low rates, to secure an investment yield to provide surplus income. It’s these same funding conditions that are available for development.

In addition, local authorities are better able to meet affordable housing targets, whether on the same site or on another site, as changes in the rules over compulsory purchase will speed up delivery timelines and improve viability. As council-run development companies are not profit-driven, they are able to maintain a greater focus on delivering both the housing types and numbers required.

The advantages council-run businesses have may allow them to experiment with new techniques, such as modular construction. This approach removes weather from consideration, and brings factory-style efficiency and better quality control into the production process.

Many larger construction firms already use modular production, but the industry would benefit from more development firms employing it.

What now for SMEs

Overall, local authorities have a better hand to play with following the borrowing cap’s removal.

The larger developers, with their enormous technical resources, manpower and brand value, will undoubtedly look to cover their positions by working with local authorities. Smaller builders, however, cannot always offer the same advantages.

All is by no means lost for the smaller players. One option is to move away from generic housing to more specialist markets such as retirement living, student accommodation, buy-to-rent and micro-accommodation.

In the future we could see a more diversified construction trade with a much more prominent role for the local authorities, while smaller firms place bets on specialised methods of construction and manufacture.

Source: Construction News

Residential Secures landmark housing project

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Broadsword Residential recently celebrated having been awarded a landmark housing project for First Wessex Homes in Aldershot.

The development consists of 213 houses, flats and bungalows to be completed across the next 18 months providing a sustainable estate for the future residents of North Town.

Our package will consist of Metal Stud-work, MF Ceilings, Dry- Lining and Tape & Jointing throughout.

In addition to this Broadsword would like to welcome both Steve Russell and Simon Ware to the management team.

Steve and Simon will make transition from site based supervisors to site managers, their knowledge of site systems, installation requirements and site management will ensure that we will provide our client with a first class service throughout this development.

For further information on this project please follow the below link:

www.firstwessex.org/northtown

Broadsword Group Totton FC

We are now the proud sponsors of Totton & Eling Football Club

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Broadsword are proud to announce that they have become the main kits sponsors of local Wessex Football League Premier Division team Totton & Eling FC. Affectionately known as ‘The Millers’  they have become the latest team to receive sponsorship for the 15/16 season. You can follow their success below:

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/tottonelingfc/

This is just another step for us in our continued commitment to the assisted development of local sporting teams from ‘grass roots’ to a semi professional level. Other local sponsorships include:

  • Southampton Cricket Club
  • Womens Waterside Hockey Team
  • Fawley Falcon U8’s
  • Hythe & Dibden FC
  • Brockenhurst FC

Wishing all of our partners a successful season in 2016 and into the future.

Broadsword Office

A look back to 2014…. Broadsword relocate to newly refurbished HQ

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After completing a full refurbishment of a newly acquired office building the broadsword team were finally able to move into their new office space in early 2014.

The new facility provides us with a new meeting room inc glazed entrance, seating for 8 and presentation capabilities, a breakout area and large kitchen to provide all staff with an area to relax and dine. A fully functioning gym with changing rooms including his/hers showers and drying room – for the more active members of the team! male and female toilets and six new multipurpose offices complete with glazed partitioning and acoustic ceilings/ wall absorbers and ceilings rafts provided by our friends at OWA Ceilings.

We are now fully settled in and making the most of the new space…

Education Sector: Portesbery School

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Broadsword were proud to hand over Portesbury School, Camberley to the main contractor on programme for the grand opening in September last year.

The stunning new design was welcomed by staff members and pupils equally.

This was our largest education project to date with a completion value in excess of £1.25 million.

Services we were able to provide for this projected included, jumbo stud acoustic partitions, Gyptone ceilings installed to provide a sloping finish at 8 meters high, traditional suspended ceilings, external cladding and all wall finishes.

Another happy client….

 

Operatives required for future projects

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Broadsword Projects Ltd are currently seeking experienced Construction professionals to undertake various commercial & residential projects valued between £100k – £2M in the following areas:

Site Manager – Department: Construction

Location: Hants, South East London, Sussex, Surrey, Dorset, Berks

Contracts Manager – Department: Construction

Location: Hants, South East London, Sussex, Surrey, Dorset, Berks

Fixers/ Dry lining/Partitioning (glazed and solid)/Metsec/Second Fix Carpentry

Department: Construction

Location: Hants, South East London, Sussex, Surrey, Dorset, Berks

 

Please get in touch if you are interested to learn more. Please note, we do not accept calls from Recruitment agencies.