Crucial tips to read before commencing a home renovation project
Remodeling your house comes with a myriad of benefits. These can range from increasing the home resale value, to giving it a more modern look.
The house renovation process is a pretty, exciting adventure. However, this thrill can quickly die out if you face unexpected issues like a stretched budget or problems with your contractor.
Proper preparedness is critical before you embark on this renovation journey. This helps mitigate or avoid most of the unanticipated issues. If you read beforehand the vital warning signals and take charge, the project will be a great success.
Here are some crucial tips to keep in mind before you go ahead with your home renovation project:
Have a Clear Vision
Before you kick off the revamp process, you need to set clear goals and objectives. You should avoid getting into it blindly.
After the project commences, you’ll be quite busy, and you’ll need to make numerous decisions at the same time. Planning tasks and evaluating options in advance can help you avoid making rushed decisions that may cost you additional time and money.
Determine what you want to accomplish at the end of the project before it is put into motion. Do research online and sample different materials to determine what will work and where. You can find inspiration from social media posts, for example, you may download Pinterest images to get ideas about new items you may want to add to your room.
Decide On What Needs More Work And Prioritize
Before starting a home renovation project, you must decide the room you plan to refurbish. Is it the bathroom, the kitchen, or the entire house? If it’s the whole house, then determine the area that may take more time and money.
Once you decide the scope of the project, you can know where to look for materials, and tradesmen to reach out to.
For example, if it’s your kitchen that needs a facelift, then it’s better to go for kitchen renovating specialists. This will let you get people more expert contractors who have perfected their skills in the kitchen space. Thus you’ll get more value for your money.
Figure Out the Project Cost and Set a Realistic Budget
Determining the cost of the entire project and the amount you’re willing to spend is vital. This can help you set a realistic budget.
Moreover, you will be able to estimate the amount needed to keep as a reserve. A good reserve is 10-20% of the total project cost.
Consider finding out how much the project is likely to cost from those that recently did a similar project in your region or state. Then, create a budget with real prices in mind and compare it with what you have.
If you are on a budget, then you could consider getting additional funds. Alternatively, you may find cheaper sources for the items you’ll need.
For example, if your budget doesn’t allow you to spend on new furniture from high-end designer stores, you can consider cheaper ones from retail stores. You may also consider repairing the existing furniture in your house to give them a new and fashionable look.
Creating a budget helps reveal wastes since it acts as a roadmap to your spending. If you create one, you’ll be well prepared to handle any unforeseen budget stretch.
Find the Right People for the Job
Not every contractor is ideal. An incompetent contractor can spoil the entire process and take you back to the drawing board. Besides, you wouldn’t want to work with someone who promises to finish the work in a fortnight but ends up taking a month or two.
Selecting the right people for the job is crucial. Consider several factors like the scope of the project, the location, and the type of the work needed to be done.
Find answers to questions like, is the contractor certified and licensed? How is their reputation? Do they have a good rating? Is there positive feedback from the previous clients?
You can consider checking for suitable contractors from various sources like the internet, get referrals from friends, or ask your neighbors for advice. The best and easiest way to find local tradesmen near you is by searching online. Then, get estimates and formal bids from a few and compare to find the right fit for your needs.
Remember, a high price does not always equate good quality and vice versa. Find more information about your preferred contractor. For example, you can read their website, or check feedback ratings before you settle for one.
Understand Existing Conditions Around
The existing conditions in a house can affect the entire renovation project. They may drastically change the scope and budget of your renovation. For example, a simple job like creating an outlet to a room can mean complete house rewiring.
Standing in the room is not enough to visualize every step of the project. You need to check the complete house plan that shows you the dimensions that exist and how they can affect the upgrade.
The plan lays out where the current walls, doors, windows, lighting, plumbing fixtures, and built-in cabinetry are. This will help you understand what you may run into and where, before the project starts. Then, you can make a sound decision when working in that area.
Prepare for Relocation
Most homeowners go for a vacation or relocate to another place for a while during the renovation. Living in a house with ongoing repair work is a trying experience. Rooms fill with dust, dirt fly everywhere, and you hear noises in the background, which is pretty annoying.
Therefore, it’s vital to plan where to relocate to during that time. In some cases, taking a vacation might be a perfect idea. This will help make the renovation period seem shorter and manageable. But, if you choose this route, make sure that you do proper budgeting to cater to the vacation. Most importantly, you have to be absolutely sure you’re leaving the project in safe hands before going away.
Parting Shot
Home renovations cost time, money, and can be pretty daunting. You don’t want to undertake this strenuous process and not get your desired results. However, the results of living in a new, revamped house with a modern look, makes the whole process worth it. Following these crucial steps will ensure that what you have in mind comes into fruition.
