Thinking About Renovating Your Home? Tanya Answers the 6 Questions Every Homeowner Asks
If you've ever stood in your kitchen, looked around and thought, "Right, something needs to change," then this one is for you. Whether you're dreaming of a bigger kitchen, an open-plan living space or a complete home transformation, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.
I recently spent a day on site with Tanya McGeehan, founder and Managing Director of MCG Property Group, to find out what homeowners really need to know before starting a renovation.
With over 200 renovations and extensions delivered by Tanya and her team, I asked her a simple question: What are the six questions homeowners ask you most often? She didn't have to think twice.
Here are Tanya's answers, along with some valuable advice on how to avoid common mistakes, unnecessary costs and delays.
1. How Much Is My Renovation Going to Cost?
Unsurprisingly, this is almost always the first question.
According to Tanya, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. Every home is different, and several factors influence the overall cost of a renovation or extension.
The main factors that affect your budget include:
Size and complexity: A straightforward rectangular extension will generally be more cost-effective than a complex design incorporating multiple corners, vaulted ceilings or additional storeys.
Kitchens and bathrooms: These are typically among the most expensive rooms to renovate due to plumbing, electrical requirements, cabinetry and fittings.
Hidden surprises: Particularly in older properties, issues such as rotten floor joists, inadequate foundations or deteriorating structural elements may only become apparent once work begins.
Your choice of finishes: From flooring and windows to doors, kitchens and worktops, your specifications can make a significant difference to the final cost.
Tanya's top tip: "Be realistic about what you're comfortable spending and always allow for the unexpected. We generally recommend setting aside a contingency of around 10–15% within your overall budget."
Getting professional advice early can help you understand what's achievable before investing significant time and money in detailed designs.
2. Will I Need Planning Permission for My Extension?
Not necessarily. In Northern Ireland, certain extensions and alterations can be carried out without a full planning application under what's known as Permitted Development.
For example, a single-storey rear extension may fall within permitted development rights where it extends no more than:
4 metres beyond the original rear wall of a detached house.
3 metres beyond the original rear wall of other types of houses.
However, these measurements are only part of the criteria. Height, boundaries, property type, previous extensions and other restrictions must also be considered.
You can find further information in The Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015.
And here's something many homeowners don't realise: Even if your extension doesn't require planning permission, it will generally still require Building Control approval.
Building Control is a separate process that ensures your building works comply with relevant regulations covering structural safety, fire safety, insulation, ventilation and other essential standards.
Tanya's top tip: "Don't assume your extension is permitted development simply because of its size. Get professional advice before committing to your plans."
3. How Long Does Planning Permission Take?
This is where homeowners need to build some patience into their renovation plans.
In Northern Ireland, councils have a statutory target of processing local planning applications within an average of 15 weeks. However, during 2025/26, the actual average processing time across Northern Ireland was 19.6 weeks.
It's important to remember that this is an average, not a guaranteed timeframe. Some applications are approved more quickly, while others take considerably longer. And that's only part of the process.
Before submitting an application, you'll also need time to develop your design, prepare the necessary drawings and assemble the supporting information.
Tanya's top tip: "Good preparation is essential. A complete, accurate and well-considered planning application can help avoid unnecessary delays. The more you get right at the beginning, the smoother the process is likely to be."
4. How Long Will Renovating My Home Take?
Another question without a single answer.
The construction timeline will depend on the size, complexity and condition of your property, along with the scope of works involved. However, Tanya explains that many of the delays homeowners experience can be reduced through better preparation.
Some of the most common causes of delays include:
Changes during construction: Altering layouts, specifications or finishes after work has started can affect both costs and timelines.
Unresolved drainage or structural issues: Problems that haven't been properly investigated before construction can lead to unexpected delays.
Poor weather: Particularly during groundworks, roofing and other weather-sensitive stages.
Late decisions or material orders: Waiting until construction is underway to select kitchens, windows, doors or specialist finishes can disrupt the programme.
Tanya's top tip: "One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is rushing into construction before they've properly planned the project. Make your key decisions early, understand your budget, order materials in good time and agree a realistic construction programme before work begins."
At MCG, this emphasis on detailed planning is central to how the team approaches every renovation.
5. Can Someone Manage the Entire Renovation for Me?
Absolutely. For busy homeowners, this can make all the difference.
A renovation involves much more than simply appointing a builder. Depending on the project, you'll need to coordinate architects, engineers, Building Control, electricians, plumbers, plasterers, joiners, kitchen designers, suppliers and numerous other specialists.
Then there's the budget, the construction programme, ordering materials, checking workmanship and dealing with unexpected issues.
It's a lot to manage, particularly when you're already juggling work, family and everyday life.
This is where MCG Property Group offers something different.
Rather than leaving homeowners to coordinate multiple professionals, trades and suppliers themselves, MCG provides a fully managed, end-to-end renovation service. From the initial concept and design stages through to construction and the finishing touches, MCG takes responsibility for coordinating the entire process. That includes appointing and managing the required professionals and trades, overseeing budgets and timelines, sourcing materials and helping clients make important design decisions.
One experienced team. One point of contact. One fully coordinated renovation.
As Tanya explains, "Our clients don't want the responsibility of managing a construction project. They want to enjoy the experience of transforming their home, knowing someone experienced is looking after all the details."
6. Can You Help Me Design My Kitchen and Bathrooms?
Yes, and this is where the exciting part really begins.
After all, it's not just about creating more space. It's about creating a home that looks beautiful, functions brilliantly and works for your lifestyle.
MCG has its own specialist joinery division, MCG Joinery, with an experienced team of joiners and a dedicated kitchen designer. The team designs, manufactures and installs bespoke kitchens, boot rooms, media walls and other beautifully crafted fitted furniture.
Having this expertise within the wider MCG team offers a significant advantage when planning a renovation.
Your kitchen design can be developed alongside your architectural plans, allowing important decisions about layout, plumbing, electrical points and lighting to be considered before construction begins. The team can help you explore different layouts, visualise the finished space and select designs and finishes that complement your home.
Tanya's top tip: "Don't wait until your extension is built before you start designing your kitchen. Your kitchen layout should be considered at the same time as your extension design. Getting this right early can prevent expensive changes later."
One final piece of advice. Start collecting inspiration! Create a Pinterest board or design folder with kitchens, bathrooms, colour schemes and features you love. But also think carefully about how you use your home every day. A successful design should be every bit as practical as it is beautiful.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If there's one message Tanya wants homeowners to take away, it's this:
A successful renovation starts long before the first wall comes down or the first foundation is poured.
Getting the right advice, making informed decisions and planning properly from the outset can save considerable time, money and stress.
So, where should you begin?
Tanya recommends four simple first steps:
Think about what you want to achieve. Focus on how you want your home to function, not just how you want it to look.
Establish a realistic budget. Decide what you're comfortable investing and include a contingency for unforeseen costs.
Understand what's possible. Find out whether your ideas are likely to require planning permission and what other approvals may be needed.
Get expert advice early. Arrange a professional consultation to explore your options, understand potential costs and identify the best way forward.
You don't need to have all the answers before you start. You just need the right people guiding you from the beginning.
Whether you're considering a kitchen extension, a major renovation or a complete home transformation, MCG Property Group can help you turn your ideas into a carefully planned, expertly managed project.
Thinking about renovating? Get in touch with MCG Property Group here and take the first step towards creating the home you've always wanted.
This article is in partnership with MCG Property Group
