So, you’re thinking about renovating your home? Or maybe we’re too late on the draw and you’re reading this in the middle of a kitchen that looks a little like a demolition site. Either way, this blog has golden nuggets of advice to guide you through preparing for the beginning or next stage of your home renovation.  

We’ll also take you through the benefits of using self storage units during this transformative (but stressful) time.  

Whether you’ve decided to outsource the wall-smashing to the experts, or are a die-hard “Grand Designs” fan, there are several common questions that come up during any home renovation.  

Let’s tackle things one question at a time. Best we start with the most pressing one.  

How Much Do Home Renovations Cost?  

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Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer to this one, but we can help work your way towards one. Home renovations can set you back anywhere between £1,000 to £500,000.  

Factors such as the scope of the project, materials, labour and location all play a part in determining the final price.  

Okay yes, we know all of that and it’s all very well and good, but how do you work out the cost of your own home renovation?  

Break It Down into Elements:  

Location, Location, Location  

If you’re in London or the Southeast of England, your home renovation is typically going to be more expensive than in other regions. Keep that in mind when you’re putting your budget together.  

Labour Costs 

Is your home reno more of a DIY situation? Or are you hiring skilled tradespeople to do the heavy lifting? If you’re hiring extra hands, you’re looking at about £150-£250 a day, but this range will vary across professions and locations.  

Material Choice   

Your choice of materials makes a very big difference when it comes to the overall cost of your home remodel. Premium items like granite countertops or oak flooring are going to cost you a pretty penny. Enter every homeowner’s worst nightmare: compromise.  

Planning Permissions and Building Regulations  

Fees associated with council planning permissions in the UK can range from £200-£500 while inspections may cost an additional £500-£1000.  

Unexpected Costs  

A fundamental part of life, surprises lurk around every corner. Especially when it comes to home renovations. Under an old sitting-room carpet one might find mould, or maybe damp in the upstairs bedroom. 

They’re not things anyone wants to think about, but it’s important you add some padding to your budget for unexpected costs.  

How Much Home Renovation Can I Afford?  

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Considering each of these elements in as much detail as possible will help you build both a great budget and a beautiful home. This exercise will also help you determine how much you can actually afford to spend on your home renovation. 

With so many moving parts and time-sensitive decisions to make, it’s understandable that emotions tend to run high. That’s why it’s also important to ask yourself how high of an emotional cost you’re willing to endure.  

Daily Mantras During a Home Renovation:  

  • Not everything on your wish list must be ticked off now 
  • If something doesn’t go according to plan, it’s okay, you’ll pivot  
  • Don’t let the finish line distract from the details, they’ll what you’ll remember  

Are Home Renovation Shows Real? No, but Self Storage Is… 

Netflix really does make just about everything look easy these days. From blowing glass to building your dream tree house home, is there anything you can’t learn to do? 

Reality-check incoming… 

Renovating a home means your living space is going to be considerably disrupted. And the project may very well go on longer than you think. Dust will settle in places you didn’t know existed and your belongings? They’re vulnerable to paint splatters, dents and worse.  

That’s why self storage can be your secret weapon.  

Why Use Self Storage During a Home Renovation?  

Here are some compelling reasons why renting a self storage unit during your remodel can save your sanity (and your stuff). 

1. Protect Your Belongings (And Your Peace)  

Keep furniture, appliances and valuables safe from dust, paint, accidental bumps and anything else in-between by tucking them away in a secure storage unit. With a variety of unit sizes available, Wigwam has space for every type of home renovation.  

2. Maximise Your Workspace 

Clearing furniture and other items from rooms will give contractors or yourself more room to work efficiently. The more efficient the work, the sooner you’ll have your home back.  

3. Enhanced Safety and Security  

Moving items out of your workspace and into storage during your home or renovation space and into a storage unit also removes potential trip hazards. This importantly reduces the risk of injury during construction.  

4. Stress Reduction  

Remodelling any home, even in small stages, is a stressful process. But, ensuring that your belongings are safe, and your workspace is optimised and hazard-free will make the entire journey far less stressful.  

Tips for Choosing the Right Self Storage Unit  

When selecting a self storage facility consider the following:  

Size Options  

Look for a facility that offers a range of unit sizes so that you’re not paying for unnecessary space. Not quite how much space you need? Try out our easy-to-use Storage Space Calculator.  

Accessibility 

Make sure that you can access your items when needed, especially if the renovation is a long-term project. At Wigwam Self Storage you’ll have access to your conveniently located unit, seven days a week.  

Security  

Choose a facility with modern security measures like CCTV, individual unit locks and 24/7 monitoring. These aren’t nice-to-haves anymore, they’re the industry standard.  

Home Renovations Made Easy With Wigwam 

Renovating your home can be a whirlwind of decisions, dust and dreams being actualised. With careful planning and the right tools, you’ll have no trouble jumping over any hurdle that comes your way.  

Using self storage during this time ensures that your belongings are protected, your workspace is ideal, and your stress levels are kept in check.  

Ready to smash your renovation out of the park? Your dream home awaits, get in touch with our team today.  

Related content:

Simon Fothergill
Written by

Simon Fothergill has more than 20 years of experience in the UK self storage industry and is Managing Director of Wigwam Storage. He writes practical, easy-to-follow advice to help customers make the most of self storage, whether they are moving house, decluttering, renovating, storing business stock or simply needing extra space. With a long background in self storage operations and customer service, Simon shares useful self storage tips, packing advice and storage solutions designed to make storage simple, flexible and stress-free.

Customer Reviews

Wigwam Self Storage place picture
4.9
Excellent service from Wigwam Self Storage Lincoln. The staff were friendly, helpful and professional from start to finish. The storage unit was clean, secure and easy to access. Everything was explained clearly, and the whole process was quick and straightforward.

I would definitely recommend Wigwam Self Storage to anyone looking for a safe and reliable place to store their belongings. Great service!
Paul Adams profile picture
Paul Adams
7 days ago
Very clean space, app works really well. Plenty of trolleys available.
Stephen Grey profile picture
Stephen Grey
1 week ago
I have dealt with both Selina and Sascha, in person and via email. The service each of them has provided has been excellent and makes me feel that I have made the right decision to use Wigwam's services.
Colin C Harman profile picture
Colin C Harman
1 week ago
I have used the storage at Cheltenham for nearly two years now and have always been glad I made the change from a large facility in Kingsditch. I recall leaving a glowing review of Casey and his team when I first took on the unit. Just yesterday I left a less than complimentary review but have discovered my frustration at the time was due to misleading info I obtained over the Internet and nothing to do with Wigwam. So that review is withdrawn and I continue to recommend Wigwam as a convenient town centre facility, well run and utilising a high tech, easy to use entry system.
Dom Hall profile picture
Dom Hall
1 week ago
I can no longer recommend this storage facility after being a customer here for a few weeks. The lift to the second floor has been broken for some time, and this is a serious problem - the stairs are too narrow to get anything remotely large up to your unit, which makes storing bigger items essentially impossible. For me, that defeated the main purpose of renting a locker here.

On top of that, the dolly trolleys are meant to be returned to a designated point after use, but in practice no one does this, so you end up hunting for one. Most of the time they’re left in a separate building I don’t have access to, meaning I have to walk around 50m through corridors and up stairs carrying my belongings just to reach my unit. I reported this to reception and was told they’d return the trolleys to the proper point, but nothing has changed.

Parking is another issue - the boxing gym attached to the building also uses the car park, so it often feels crowded.

Only use this facility if you’re desperate. Otherwise, I’d look elsewhere.
Steve Rooney profile picture
Steve Rooney
2 weeks ago
Good experience so far ! Staff Helpful and available if any issues ! Appreciate the discounted offered for 8 weeks, so took advantage of that ! wish it was longer !!!
Easy to navigate the site with easy access and facilities !
Tony Watson profile picture
Tony Watson
2 weeks ago
Fantastic idea to use an app to gain entry. Once set up it's so easy to use and saves faffing around with keys and security fobs. My first visit was a revelation and is a definite encouragement to keep going back.
Well done Wigwam!!
Benjamin Currie profile picture
Benjamin Currie
3 weeks ago
Got a small lock up for short term use - getting set up was quick and easy. Introductory offer is also great.
All the team we've dealt with at Wigwam have provided fantastic customer service with some lovely personal touches. Our storage unit and the surrounding site is clean, well maintained and good value for money. I would definitely recommend.
Brian Stacey profile picture
Brian Stacey
3 weeks ago
Really friendly team, very helpful and good facilities. Would happily use Wigwam for short term storage again. Cheers!
Laura Smith profile picture
Laura Smith
3 weeks ago
Great storage facility, would highly recommend. The process of booking and accessing the unit was really straightforward and customer service has been excellent.
Chris Sabin profile picture
Chris Sabin
4 weeks ago
Lovely helpful friendly staff
Transparent pricing
Very happy with the service.