Lidstein
The short answer: A full renovation consists of three packages of work: building services (entirely new wiring, water pipes and heating system), building envelope (renewal of roof, windows, doors and façade insulation), and interior fit-out (new floors, bathrooms and non-load-bearing walls). The order is decisive: strip out first, then services into the bare shell, then seal the envelope, and fit out last.
Package 1: building services — the arteries of the house
Everything running inside walls, ceilings and shafts is renewed completely: Wiring to today's standard (more circuits, residual-current protection, network cabling and spare capacity for a wallbox or solar panels), water and waste pipes instead of limescaled or lead-bearing old pipes, and the heating system — in a renovated building usually a heat pump today (read here when that pays off).
Why first? Because every run needs chases, penetrations and ceiling openings. Lay floors before pulling pipes and you renovate twice.
Package 2: building envelope — airtight, warm, value-retaining
The envelope determines energy use and the condition of the fabric for decades to come: roof (covering, insulation, sealing), windows and external doors (triple glazing, burglar-resistant fittings), and the façade insulation. Only with a sealed envelope can heat load and heat pump be sized correctly — and only then do screed and internal plaster make technical sense, because the building is dry and frost-free.
Package 3: interior fit-out — the rooms take shape again
Now the bare shell becomes a home again: non-load-bearing walls are rebuilt where the layout requires it, bathrooms and sanitary installations completely renewed, floors built up from screed to finish, along with internal doors, drywall, decorating and tiling. This is the phase where early interior design planning pays off: materials, lighting and built-in furniture interlock instead of being patched together afterwards (how interior design works at Lidstein).
The six phases at a glance
| Phase | What happens | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Survey & planning | Inspection, fabric assessment, works schedule, costing, subsidy applications | 4–8 weeks |
| 2. Strip-out | Removal back to the load-bearing fabric, disposal | 1–3 weeks |
| 3. First-fix services | Electrical, water and heating installation in walls and ceilings | 3–6 weeks |
| 4. Building envelope | Roof, windows, doors, façade insulation | 4–8 weeks |
| 5. Interior fit-out | Screed, drywall, bathrooms, floors, doors, decorating | 6–10 weeks |
| 6. Final fit-out & handover | Design finish, furniture and kitchen, functional testing, acceptance | 2–4 weeks |
Benchmarks from Lidstein project practice; phases 3 and 4 often overlap. Typical total duration: 4–8 months.
Why do schedules fail in practice?
- Trades left waiting: The screeder arrives, but the first-fix has not been signed off. With separately awarded trades this is the norm; with continuous site management and in-house teams it is the exception (the comparison of procurement models).
- Lead times: Windows, doors and kitchens have lead times of several weeks. Sourcing straight from the manufacturer means ordering earlier and more reliably.
- Late design decisions: Every subsequent change to bathroom, kitchen or floor build-up sets the chain of dates back. So: fix the design before work starts.
Frequently asked questions
What does a full renovation include?
The three packages: complete building services (electrics, water, heating), the envelope (roof, windows, doors, façade insulation) and the interior fit-out (floors, bathrooms, non-load-bearing walls).
How long does a full renovation take?
Detached house: about four to eight months. A single flat: about two to four months — depending on fabric, scope and lead times.
Can you live in the house during the work?
During a genuine full renovation, practically not — power, water and heating are out of service at times. Plan for temporary accommodation.
Does a full renovation need planning permission?
Pure renewal within the existing fabric is often exempt from approval. As soon as layout, façade or use changes are involved, permission may be required — we clarify this with the relevant building authority during the planning phase.
Your property, our schedule
Send us the year of construction, size and condition — we will tell you what your renovation roadmap would look like.