The wrong order of works during renovation can literally cost you double. If you lay parquet and then call an electrician to run cables under the floor, the parquet gets lifted. If you paint before the screed is dry, the paint cracks. Here is the correct sequence, step by step.
Phase 1: demolition and preparation
Everything that comes down or out — goes first. This includes:
- Removing partition walls that are being replaced
- Stripping old tiles, parquet, floor coverings
- Removing joinery that is being replaced (doors, windows)
- Taking out old installations that will be completely replaced
Demolition is dirty and noisy — schedule it at the start, while neighbours are still relatively patient.
Phase 2: rough construction works
After demolition, before everything else:
- Building new partition walls (if the room layout is changing)
- Sealing and repairing load-bearing walls where needed
- Levelling floors and walls with rough plaster
Phase 3: installations — electrics and plumbing
This is the critical phase that many people push too late. Installations go before the final wall and floor coverings, because pipes and cables must be inside the walls or floor.
- Electrics: running cables, fitting junction boxes, sockets, switches
- Plumbing: replacing hot and cold water pipes, drainage
- Heating: radiators, underfloor heating — if being replaced
Warning: do not pour the screed until the installations have been inspected and pressure-tested. Once the screed is poured there is no repair without breaking it up.
Phase 4: screed and floor levelling
Only after the installations, the floor is levelled with screed. The screed must dry for a minimum of 3–4 weeks before tiles or parquet are laid on it. Rushing this is one of the most common causes of floor problems.
Phase 5: tiles and floor coverings
Once the screed is dry and installations are complete:
- Floor tiles in the bathroom, kitchen, hallway
- Wall tiles in the bathroom and kitchen
Tip: lay floor tiles before wall tiles, because the wall tiles need to "sit" on the already-laid floor tiles — not directly on the screed.
Phase 6: plastering and skim-coating walls
After tiling, walls are finely plastered and skim-coated. The skim coat needs to dry seriously — depending on thickness and humidity, it can take 2–3 weeks per layer.
Phase 7: parquet or laminate
Parquet goes down only when all wet works are complete and dry. Moisture is parquet's number one enemy — if you lay it too early it will shrink or swell.
Phase 8: fitting joinery and sanitary ware
- Fitting interior doors
- Installing toilet, washbasin, shower enclosure
- Kitchen units (if fitted after the floor)
Phase 9: finishing works — painting
Painting goes at the very end, when all other works are finished. Painting before the parquet or sanitary ware means painting again afterwards.
Phase 10: clean-up and details
- Fitting switch and socket covers (covers go on last)
- Fitting skirting boards and decorative strips
- General clean-up
Need a tradesperson for a specific renovation phase? On Brzix you can find an electrician, plumber, tiler or painter — all in one place.
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