Townhouse renovation: stages from brief to handover

1. Brief, survey and scope agreement

Record the condition of each room, the items to retain and the intended changes. Confirm dimensions and interfaces on site rather than ordering everything from a marketing floor plan. Identify whether the proposal needs design development, specialist assessment or updated drawings.

The output should be a scope that can be priced: room schedule, material responsibilities, known exclusions and a list of unresolved choices. A start date is more meaningful when the prerequisites are visible.

2. Permissions, selections and procurement

Confirm the permissions and access rules for the building, approve the relevant samples and check actual supplier availability. Record expected delivery dates and where items can be stored. A missing shower screen or bespoke fitting can affect handover even after most room finishes are complete.

For a two-level property, agree how materials reach the upper floor and how the staircase, doors and shared building areas will be protected. Discuss noisy work, waste movements and working hours with management.

3. Preparation and coordinated installation

The actual work sequence depends on the approved scope. Removal and preparation generally need to expose the work area before new finishes are installed; any concealed repairs or service changes must be coordinated before closing surfaces. Required inspections and tests belong in the programme, not as an afterthought.

Ask the project team which work can overlap and which cannot. Manufacturer-required drying or curing periods should be respected. Flooring, joinery, wall finishes and lighting should be coordinated at their junctions so one finished trade is not repeatedly disturbed by another.

4. Review, snagging and handover

Walk each room against the agreed scope, record outstanding items with locations and assign responsibility for closure. Confirm the handover documents, operating information and any agreed care instructions. Protect completed areas while remaining work continues.

• Confirm all agreed rooms and items have been reviewed.
• Record snags by room with a photo and clear description.
• Agree correction dates and who will verify closure.
• Collect relevant manuals, product references and warranty information.
• Confirm cleaning, waste removal and return of keys or access passes.

A completed G+1 example: Beach Mansion

ABA PRIME carried out a full renovation for its own use at Beach Mansion Tower 1, Emaar Beachfront, Dubai Harbour. The G+1 townhouse measures 1,800 sq ft; the owner reports completion in 1.5 months. The published photographs show the living and dining spaces, bedrooms, bathrooms, staircase and utility area.

This example is useful for discussing scale and finishes. It is not a week-by-week record of that project and does not establish the duration of another renovation. Agree your programme after reviewing the scope and its dependencies.