Where to start?
Four building blocks for success
Automate
Think digital construction files, comparing quotations online and smart planning tools. They save time, prevent version errors and give real-time insight into costs, essentially your own dashboard.
Integrate
Combine sustainability with aesthetic upgrades. For instance, install insulating glazing at the same time as new window frames so you do not have to hire scaffolding twice and pay double.
Finance
Check subsidies, surplus value and a building deposit in one calculation. You instantly see which option is most cost-effective and which tax benefits you can secure without hassle.
Control
Document every handover inspection with photos in a shared folder, just use your phone. It prevents later disputes about scratches, missing warranties or forgotten sealant joints.
A renovation often feels like cycling uphill.
The essence
A renovation often feels like cycling uphill: once you have picked the right gear, the pedalling becomes lighter than expected.
Spartner notices time and again that projects with a digital foundation leave all demolition and dust work behind an average of two weeks earlier.
Cost overruns fall by roughly 15% when you line up quotations against a fixed template
Sustainable choices (for example a heat pump) double the chance of municipal subsidies
Eighty percent of neighbour complaints can be avoided by one timely letter through the letterbox
How do you navigate this renovation?.
Here is a step-by-step approach to keep every renovation project running smoothly.
Step 1 – Sketch the dream.
First decide what you really need: more light, extra square metres or a lower EPC value. Visualise this with mood boards and simple 3D tools. A rough cost indication already helps to prune a wild growth of ideas. Make a top three of must-haves and nice-to-haves.
Step 2 – Arrange the preconditions.
Check the environmental portal for permits, consult neighbours about potential objections and examine whether your buildings insurance provides cover during the works. Also make sure you have the contractor’s CAR policy in black and white before the first wall comes down.
Step 3 – Select partners.
Ask at least three contractors about their availability, provisional sums and guarantees. Better still, arrange a joint video call so everyone starts on the same page. Then compare financing options: additional mortgage, personal loan or savings.
Step 4 – Monitor & handover.
Hold weekly stand-ups (on site or online) to discuss schedule, variations and safety. At handover walk through windows, sockets, sealant work and rubble removal with the contractor and a checklist. Sign only when every item is ticked green.
Coffee to discuss your renovation plans?
We are happy to brainstorm with you free of charge about your renovation, from feasibility to smart digitisation of the construction process. Leave a message and within two working days we will schedule a virtual coffee.
A philosophical view on renovations
Why bricks are more than just material
A house tells a story, and every renovation rewrites a chapter. We notice that residents are only truly satisfied when form, function and emotion are in balance. An extension that enlarges the living room but takes away daylight ultimately feels like a compromise. Therefore it makes sense to answer the “why” question before tackling the “how”. Once that intention is crystal clear, the technical details almost arrange themselves.
Renovation as a ritual
A renovation often marks a life phase: a first child, working from home or the moment the children leave the nest. The ritual of demolishing, rebuilding and furnishing helps residents grow mentally along with their new reality.
A critical view of budgets
The pitfall of provisional sums
Provisional sums sound friendly but are actually price uncertainties in disguise. In practice we often see that more than 20% of the final amount consists of these items. Working transparently means making every provisional sum concrete before the build starts.
Invisible costs
Think container rental, structural calculations and temporary accommodation. They seem minor yet add up and consume your buffer. By labelling each item as “fixed”, “variable” or “contingency” you gain both visibility and control.
Looking ahead: renovations in 2030
Smart, circular and almost silent
Construction companies are already experimenting with 3D-printed walls and modular roofs that can be fitted in a day. It is predicted that 70% of renovations will use circular materials within ten years, cutting not only waste but also transport movements in your street.
Digital twins
Before the start you can have an exact digital copy of your home made. This twin simulates sunlight, airflows and energy usage, so design choices are based on data rather than gut feeling.
"A deal is a deal"
Yield.inc is a new asset manager in the Netherlands that focuses on excellent customer experience, sustainability and technology. When faced with the question of whether to develop our platform in-house or with a partner, we got in touch with Spartner. We are still 100% behind the choice for Spartner because we own the source code and with Spartner, a deal really is a deal, whether it concerns the delivery date or the agreed budget!
Hans Lugtenberg Partner at Yield Inc.
"A professional software partner since 2010"
Spartner is involved and contributes in our search for innovations and always delivers top-notch work. After the first Huurda.nl version got out-dated, we collaboratively launched a completely new version in 2020.
Custom-built search engine for rental propertiesNorbert Wegter Owner of 123wonen and Expat Homes Holland
"Pragmatic and flexible collaboration"
Spartner has created a customized portal for us for the accountability of large-scale collaborative projects. This enables us and our partners to execute and account for their plans in a shared environment that is secure, transparent, and manageable. The pragmatic and flexible collaboration with Spartner has ensured that we have quickly achieved a functional and user-friendly environment.
Jurjen Terpstra Managing Partner at Wecreate Consulting
"AI and machine learning as legal tools"
In 2020, we transferred the development of Lynn to Spartner. As a result of their fast development process, the Lynn platform achieves an increasingly central role in the legal world.
Lynn, the smart AI legal robotMarco Caspers Software Development Manager at Lynn Legal
"As a business you must dare to move forward"
Innovation and change are not always welcomed with equal enthusiasm by our employees, man is a creature of habit but as a company you have to dare to move forward and the need for a contemporary drawing program for the realization of various constructions with our Masterbloc bricks was high. For us but also for Spartner, this challenge was a bit of pioneering and together we had to overcome some hurdles to arrive at a beautiful and efficient business tool. A development and learning process for both parties, in which the feedback of questions and desired adjustments by our employees to Spartner was always in good consultation and we could count on quick feedback and targeted solutions. We continue to exchange experiences with Spartner and look back and forward to a successful collaboration.
Powerful 3D construction drawing softwareBjorn Gubbels Owner of Masterbloc
"Spartner extends our capabilities and development capacity"
With weekly calls, using our Azure DevOps sprint system, Spartner actively works together with our innovation, communication and software development departments.
Multi-website CMS with Statamic 3Marco Leenders Head of Automation
"Flexible collaboration with yearly updates"
The projectteam of the city of Groningen is very enthusiastic about the "Roomfinder" platform.
Real estate management software for student roomsGemeente Groningen Projectteam
"Have been using Laravel Excel for years"
We requested custom help to a performance challenge we had in our implementation of Laravel Excel. I was amazed how quickly these Laravel artisans achieved significant performance gains, which saved us a lot of development time.
Open source package for LaravelJosh Mountain Co-Founder at IncentivePilot.com
"Higher occupancy rate thanks to our user-friendly platform"
Throughout the great years that we cooperate with Spartner (previously Maatwebsite, Ed.), our software has been developed continuously. Students and landlords actively work with features like allocation, payments, chat, contract generation and more.
Custom built ERP for all student residencesMaurice Evers Head of Student Housing Department
"Innovating in the digital identification network of The Netherlands and Europe"
The pro-active approach of Spartner was crucial in understanding the complexity of the eHerkenning network.
Development of eHerkenning connection and servicesMaarten Bremer CTO / Founder Ensured
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"Innovation in legal technology"
As jurists with knowledge of IT, we highly value quality; within code, but also in process. The high work-level and trustworthiness of Spartner gives us the capacity to continuously create innovative features.
Legal tech platformNiels Winters Managing Director JuriBlox
Why do renovations overrun so often? 😫
Many projects start without a detailed schedule or reserve for unforeseen matters. Combine that with supply issues and changeable British weather and you can easily be two weeks behind.
Do I always need a permit? 🤔
No, small internal alterations are often permit free. But once you affect the facade, load bearing walls or zoning plan, an environmental permit is compulsory. Completing the Permit Check now prevents hassle later.
What does an average renovation cost? 💸
It varies greatly. A bathroom upgrade can start at 8,000 euros, while an extension easily reaches six figures. Therefore allow a margin of 10-15% on top of the quotation.
When should I bring in an architect? 🖊️
As soon as you are impacting the load bearing structure, daylight or appearance of the facade. An architect safeguards both aesthetics and building regulations plus the permit process.
Is it smart to add sustainability during a renovation? 🌍
Absolutely. You save on long-term energy costs, benefit from subsidies and avoid doing the work twice. Installing solar panels and insulation is easier when the scaffolding is already in place.
How do I avoid conflict with the neighbours? 😅
Communicate early, share the schedule and choose working hours that minimise disturbance. A simple box of chocolates at the start does wonders for the atmosphere.
Do I need to adjust my buildings insurance? 📑
Yes, once the value of your home increases. Inform your insurer beforehand to prevent under-insurance. Some insurers request a new valuation after completion.
What if the contractor goes bankrupt? 😱
Check in advance that the contractor has a CAR policy and, for large projects, choose a bank guarantee or warranty fund. Your investment remains protected whatever happens.
