Why planning is essential for a successful renovation?
When it comes to renovation work, one question often comes up:
How long will it take to get everything organized properly?
When considering renovation workone question often comes up: how long does it take to organize everything properly? The answer depends on many factors, but one thing remains constant: without planning, there can be no successful renovation.
At Ateliers ThomquinWe know from experience that a well-planned project is the key to a controlled construction site, with no nasty surprises. When, as with us, a company works with a number of approved contractors, who are often in great demand, it takes at least 1 to 2 months to bring together suppliers and collaborators, and to ensure sufficient stock.
Our contractors’ job is to start thinking about your project as early as possible, taking into account everyone’s deadlines, and to guarantee a job completed within a given timeframe. Obviously, this depends on the type of renovation and the type of service required.
In this article, we explain why planning is crucial to the success of your renovation project, and guide you through the essential points to consider before you even start work.
First of all, it should be noted that poor site planning can lead to consequences such as :
- Exceeding delivery deadlines
- Over budget
- Lack of coordination between the various players and communication problems
That’s why planning is such an important part of any interior or exterior interior or exterior renovation renovation project.
1. Before you plan: make the right choices
Choose a reliable, ECB-registered contractor
The first step is to check that the company is registered with the Banque-Carrefour des Entreprises (BCE), with the required access to the profession. Even if certain obligations have been abolished in Flanders, these accesses remain an objective guarantee of know-how and rigor.
Then, another essential point: check the company’s share capital and financial health. Today, it’s possible to create a company with zero capital. Too little capital may indicate a fragile structure, ill-equipped to carry out a project. So, if possible, check the company’s balance sheets and date of creation, and avoid structures that are too young or unstable.
Architect? not always a guarantee of success
In Belgium, an architect is only required in certain cases, such as work affecting the structure or facade of a building. In all other cases, it is perfectly legal and appropriate to carry out work without an architect.
At Ateliers Thomquin, we have all the skills needed to manage a project from A to Z, in compliance with standards, with expert teams and rigorous management. We frequently carry out many projects without an architect, with a high level of finish and a customer satisfaction.
In addition, some architects, for reasons of strategy or budgetary constraints, use “low-cost” companies, which are sometimes put out to tender without any real verification of their soundness. It’s not uncommon for these companies to go bankrupt during the course of a project, despite all the administrative prerogatives. Hence the importance of always checking the stability of the company selected, whether or not it is an architect.
Avoid marketing platforms that trivialize the profession!
Sites like TrustUp, Bobex, Travaux.com or Casiers.be promise to “find you the right contractor”. But in reality :
- They do not seriously check the competence or financial reliability of companies.
- They charge for visibility, which reflects neither the quality nor the experience of the service provider.
- They favor bidding logic, to the detriment of real qualitative support.
These platforms trivialize the profession of general contractor, reducing a structuring trade to a simple comparison of estimates.
At Ateliers Thomquinwe value direct relationships, trust, hands-on experience and transparency.
2. Planning: a bulwark against the unexpected
Careful planning ensures :
- anticipate delays linked to the delivery of materials or the unavailability of specific collaborators or craftsmen;
- effectively coordinate all parties involved;
- ensure site continuity, without stoppage or loss of productivity.
By establishing a precise schedule, craftsmen and contractors have a clear roadmap, reducing the risk of costly delays.
A concrete example: a carpenter may have to wait 2 to 3 months for the manufacture and delivery of window frames. These constraints must be taken into account right from the preparatory phase, so there’s no need to start work too early…
3. Better budget control
Planning also means building a realistic, structured budget. This includes :
- labor, materials,
- authorizations,
- any unforeseen events.
With a clear vision from the outset, you can limit surprises and keep your priorities under control.
4. Comply with local regulations
Each region (Brussels, Wallonia, Flanders) applies its own requirements in terms of permits, bonuses or energy performance.
Solid planning helps :
- to obtain the necessary authorizations,
- to benefit from available assistance,
- avoid administrative sanctions or blockages.
5. Integrating sustainable energy solutions
Renovating is also an opportunity to improve your home’s energy performance. For example:
- thermal insulation,
- frame replacement,
- ventilation (VMC),
- heat pumps, solar panels, etc.
These solutions need to be planned in advance, so that they can be intelligently integrated into the overall logic of the project. Initiatives such as the Guide to energy-efficient and sustainable home renovation in Wallonia provide valuable advice on how to optimize the energy efficiency of your home.
6. Guaranteeing the quality of work
Good planning helps :
- select the right partners at the right time,
- avoid hasty or disorganized interventions,
- and ensure a high level of finish.
At Ateliers Thomquin, we only work with trusted partners, selected for their rigor and experience.
7. Structuring site phases
A complete renovation follows a logical sequence:
- Structural work
- Special techniques (heating, electricity, plumbing)
- Interior finishes
- Interior fittings (kitchen, bathroom, furniture)
- Exterior renovation (facade, roof, surroundings)
This organization avoids rework, waste and unnecessary delays.
8. Don't overlook administrative and legal obligations
In Belgium, a well-run site must also be administratively irreproachable. Here are the main obligations:
- DIU – Dossier d’Intervention Ultérieure (mandatory at the end of the worksite)
- Safety coordinator (from 2 participants on site)
- All-risk construction insurance (TRC) + Ten-year warranty
- Osiris platform (in Brussels, for any worksite involving the public highway)
- Specific municipal regulations (noise, opening hours, scaffolding, facades, etc.)
When you call on a general renovation contractor like Ateliers Thomquin, you can be sure that all these aspects are anticipated and controlled.
9. The importance of relationships in a renovation project
A construction site is also a human relationship. For several months, you’ll be in constant contact with the company you’ve chosen. That’s why it’s vital that you feel at ease, that dialogue flows smoothly, and that trust is established.
At Ateliers Thomquin, we attach great importance to the quality of our relationships with our customers. We listen, we explain, and we’re there every step of the way. This relationship is a key factor in the success of any project, whether it’s an apartment, house or villa.
10. A company on a human scale, for all-round support
Ateliers Thomquin has been a family business for four generations, with strong values and know-how handed down from generation to generation. We work on a human scale, with a single point of contact who takes care of you:
- before the worksite (study, advice, planning),
- during construction (coordination, monitoring, communication),
- and after delivery (after-sales service, any adjustments).
This model guarantees continuity, responsiveness and trust – unlike many faceless or fragmented structures.
11. Consider structural aspects and safety on site
When work affects the structure of a building (load-bearing wall, cavity, opening, etc.), it is essential to call in a stability engineer before any demolition or intervention.
At Ateliers Thomquin, we act as a good father of the family, integrating this type of verification right from the preparatory phase of the worksite, in particular through targeted surveys if necessary.
At the same time, safety on the site is another factor to be monitored.
VCA certification (Veiligheid, gezondheid en milieu Checklist Aannemers) covers safety, health and environmental aspects on construction sites.
Conclusion
Planning is the cornerstone of any successful renovation. It enables you to anticipate, coordinate and control your budget, and guarantee a final result that lives up to your expectations.
Published 04/04/2025
