Tackling Home Renovations: Ways to Prepare for a Successful Home Renovation
Whenever you hear “no pain, no gain” it probably means you’re either in a gym or talking about exercise. But as people who have done their own home renovations in the past will tell you, it’s going to hurt a little. In other words, home renovations take time and money, but in the end you’ll be left happier and satisfied… if it all goes well.
To make sure this process goes as smoothly as possible here are some valuable tips for approaching your own home renovation.
1. Ask yourself: Is it time to renovate?
This tip is for those of you who are still on the fence. Renovating your home can take a lot of effort, yes, but you’re only delaying the inevitable if you keep ignoring obvious repairs that need to be made. The sooner you fix the important problems in your home, the better— especially if you plan to sell one day.
The good news is you don’t have to tackle every inadequacy at once. Start off with either the big problems that will improve your home, then move on to the ones meant to increase the value of your property.
2. Have realistic goals (time & money)
The first thing you need to do is make an honest estimate of how much cash you’re able (or willing) to invest in your renovation. One important step is to investigate about how much certain improvements require and then going from there. Learning how much it costs to remodel just a bathroom or kitchen will give you a good idea as to how much renovating you can actually do with the money you have at your disposal.
You should also closely study how much your home is worth now and how much it will be after the renovations. Your goal shouldn’t be getting your house to be the priciest in the neighborhood. Rather, a renovation is a good idea if it’ll help bring your home value to an amount comparable to others in the area.
3. Assemble the good team
Some renovations can be done on your own or with the help of a friend or spouse. Others will require paid professionals who do these tasks for a living and will thus get the job done. To get the best craftspeople for your team we recommend you pay more attention to referrals than how much they charge.
Tell your friends, family, and coworkers about your home renovation plans to see if they know people worth recommending. This is a much safer bet than reading the fake positive comments many contractors pay to have written about them. Keep an eye out for professionals who are known to be good listeners, great problem solvers, and know how to stay within budget.
4. Hire an architect early
You’re going to run into a lot of headaches if you don’t partner up with an architect during the planning stages. An architect will not only produce the blueprints and designs but can also help you assess costs, time, etc. An architect will be able to provide input during the design phase that will make the construction phase run smoother and more efficiently.
Some architects will also even help you hire a good contractor and assist with managing the project. Having an architect and contractor who have experience collaborating well with each other can work wonders for a project. This will significantly increase your chances of completing your home renovation on time and within your budget.
5. Plan how/where you’ll live
Depending on the scope of your renovation, you may be able to continue living in your room or have to crash elsewhere in the meantime. If it’s possible to stay home, be sure to make preparations early so you’re ready to live at home without interfering with the project. Pack up your stuff and move them to the rooms you’ll inhabit. If it’s your kitchen getting remodeled you may have to set up a small kitchen elsewhere to prepare and store food.
When the project is too big and your family can’t stay, consider renting an apartment. Some people plan their vacation around this time so they’re out traveling. If it’s an option, see if you can stay with friends or family for this time so you save money you would have spent on a hotel or apartment.
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Want to learn more about home renovation? Read about how to remodel your home while staying within budget in this article.