Should you do a phased retrofit or do the whole project at once?
We work to investigate and develop prototypes and best practices for retrofitting homes to make them more environmentally sustainable. And a very common question when undertaking such a project is whether it’s best to do a phased retrofit or the whole project at once. Let’s take a look at the advantages of both of these options to understand which would be the most suitable choice for different properties.
When should I opt for a phased retrofit?
When discussing retrofitting a building, individuals often refer to the entire home retrofit, which usually includes heating systems, thermal insulation, window enhancements and more. A phased retrofit is a great option for anyone who can’t afford to complete the entire project in one go and will allow you to fund one element of the project at a time. Some homeowners will find that a phased retrofit causes more disruption in the long run, and you are delaying the benefits you’ll otherwise experience from the work. Until you have the complete package in place, you often won’t reap the environmental advantages of a retrofit until the work is finished.
For many homeowners, a phased retrofit is still a great option. By opting to make the highest energy savings at the start of the project, you’ll reduce your home’s running costs and free up funds for future work. In some European countries today, phased retrofits are now becoming the norm, and when companies are able to create a good strategy for this, you’ll experience very few problems. For a phased retrofit to work well for your home, ensure a detailed plan is created from the start of the project so that you don’t encounter any issues further down the line.
Choosing to complete the whole project at once
If you don’t like the idea of builders coming and going from your home for years on end, completing the whole retrofit in one go is likely the better solution for your home. This often ends up being the most affordable option, as you’ll reduce costs by only using a retrofitting company once. Of course, it will be up to you whether you can personally afford to pay for the completion of the project in one go, which is why so many people are opting for phased retrofits today. However, for anyone looking to complete this work as soon as possible, this is certainly the best option to go for.
When you complete the entire retrofit in one go, you’ll find that you will benefit from the work immediately after its completion. Instead of working on the package one piece at a time, the retrofit will allow you to see the savings it offers to your home immediately. The other great thing about completing a retrofit in one go is that you’ll enjoy increased consistency. You won’t have to worry about staff changing over or a company moving between each piece of work, and instead, you’ll have one team committed to your project from start to finish.
