The Right Sequence for a Whole-House Renovation: What Happens When and Why

A whole-house renovation in London typically involves 15–25 distinct trades working in a coordinated sequence over several months. Getting the sequence wrong — sending the electrician in before the structural works are complete, or plastering before mechanical services are first-fixed — creates rework, damaged finishes, and cost overruns. Getting it right means each trade works in clean, complete conditions and hands off to the next without conflict.

This is the standard sequence for a whole-house renovation. Individual projects will vary, but the logic is the same.

Phase 1: Enabling and demolition (weeks 1–3)

Strip out: Remove all existing finishes to be replaced — carpets, tiles, fitted furniture, sanitary ware, kitchen. Strip back to the substrate (plasterwork or masonry) where new finishes are planned.

Asbestos: Any building pre-1985 may contain asbestos — artex ceilings, floor tiles, pipe lagging, textured coatings. A pre-demolition asbestos survey is required before strip-out begins. Identified asbestos-containing materials must be removed by a licensed contractor before other trades enter.

Structural alterations: Remove load-bearing walls or chimney breasts once the structural engineer's design is in place. Install temporary propping before cutting. Install new steel beams and padstones. Allow the structure to settle before the next phase.

Phase 2: Groundworks and drainage (weeks 3–6)

For projects with a new basement, rear extension, or underfloor heating:

Excavation: Dig foundations for extensions, excavate for basement. Carry out drainage rerouting before any new slab is poured.

Drainage: Install or reroute foul and surface water drainage. Commission a CCTV survey of existing drains before backfilling. Install new drainage runs with appropriate falls and inspection chambers.

Concrete structures: Pour new foundation slabs, basement retaining walls, and ground-bearing slabs. Allow concrete to cure (minimum 28 days before loading) before next phase.

Phase 3: First-fix services (weeks 5–10, overlapping with structure)

Once the structural shell is complete and before plastering:

Mechanical first fix: Underfloor heating pipework laid and pressure-tested. Heating pipework (flow and return) to radiator positions. Boiler/heat pump flue routes. Bathroom waste and supply pipework to final positions. Soil and vent stack connections.

Electrical first fix: All cable runs chased or clipped to walls. Consumer unit position, cable to all socket, switch, and lighting positions. Data cabling (Cat6A) to all rooms. Doorbell, CCTV, and security first-fix cabling.

UFH screed: Pour UFH screed after pipework is pressure-tested. Allow screed to cure fully before drying programme (minimum 14 days natural curing, then graduated drying per manufacturer's instructions). Do not lay floor finishes until the screed has reached the target moisture content.

Phase 4: Plastering (weeks 8–12)

Dry-lining or wet plaster: Board out walls as required (moisture-resistant board in bathrooms and kitchens, standard plasterboard elsewhere). Apply plaster skim or gypsum board plaster to all surfaces.

Airtightness detailing: Before boarding up service routes, ensure all penetrations through external walls and floors are sealed airtight. This is the last opportunity to do so.

Allow drying time: New plaster in a London winter takes 4–6 weeks to dry fully. Forced drying with temporary heating is acceptable but must be managed to avoid cracking. Decoration before plaster is dry causes paint failure.

Phase 5: Second-fix services and joinery (weeks 10–16)

Mechanical second fix: Radiators, thermostats, towel rails, sanitary ware connections, kitchen appliance connections. Commission the boiler and heating system. Commission UFH controls and zoning.

Electrical second fix: Install sockets, switches, light fittings, consumer unit, and distribution boards. Commission electrics and obtain Part P certificate.

Joinery: Install skirtings, architraves, and door linings (these should be pre-primed). Hang internal doors. Install staircases. Fix bespoke joinery (built-in wardrobes, library joinery, kitchen units).

Kitchen: Install kitchen units and appliances after electrical and plumbing second fix is complete but before final decoration. The kitchen requires its own sub-programme: units, worktops (templated after units are fixed), splashback, and appliances each have separate lead times and installation visits.

Phase 6: Tiling and stone (weeks 12–18)

Tile and stone work must occur after first-fix services are complete but before second-fix and sanitary ware installation. Stone and tile floors are laid after walls are tiled (to prevent grout and adhesive falls on the finished floor).

Allow: - Tile adhesive bed: 24–48 hours before grouting - Grout cure: 24 hours minimum before use - Stone sealing: 48 hours after laying before use

Phase 7: Decoration (weeks 16–22)

Preparation: Fill all nail holes, cracks, and plasterboard joints. Sand smooth. Apply mist coat of watered-down emulsion before full paint system.

Paint sequence: Undercoat all joinery (skirtings, architraves, doors, built-ins). Apply ceiling coat. Apply wall coats. Apply final finish coat to joinery.

Specialist finishes: Any lacquered joinery (kitchen fronts, bespoke cabinets) is factory-finished and must be protected from the point of installation. Lime wash and distemper finishes on period plasterwork are applied last.

Phase 8: Floor finishes (weeks 18–22)

Hard floor finishes (stone, tile, hardwood) are installed as late as possible to minimise damage from following trades. Screed moisture content must be within manufacturer's tolerance before hardwood or LVT is laid.

Hardwood should be delivered to site and allowed to acclimatise for 48–72 hours before laying. Protect immediately after laying with hardboard or correx sheet until handover.

Phase 9: Finishing and commissioning (weeks 20–24)

Sanitary ware: Final connection and siliconing of baths, basins, WCs, showers. Grout around fittings. Commission waste traps and test for leaks.

Light fittings: Install and commission all light fittings, test dimmer operation.

Snagging: The contractor produces a snagging list and rectifies all defects before handover. An independent snagging surveyor (often appointed by the client) inspects the property and adds further items.

Handover documentation: Operating manuals for all appliances and systems, warranties, as-built drawings, building control completion certificates, NICEIC and Gas Safe certificates, party wall award completion notice.

ASAAN produces a detailed programme at tender stage for every whole-house renovation, setting out the trade sequence, key milestones, and lead times for specialist items. If you are planning a whole-house renovation, contact us to discuss your project scope.