Home renovations are economical solutions and a practical move compared to shifting houses every time a crack or fissure appears in its walls or the roof. Still, no matter how easy it may seem, renovating your home is as arduous as is finding and shifting into a new home.
Ensure you have your entire renovation process mapped out to avoid any unwanted troubles and challenges along the way. Here are the things you should do before initiating your home improvement;
Why Are You Renovating?
Start by asking yourself, why are you renovating your home? Does your home need an improvement, or are you just bored with the old design and want something new? The answer to these simple questions will help you figure out what type of renovations you will make and what kind of professionals you will be hiring for the job.
For instance, if your walls have developed crevices and your roof is showing signs of termite presence, you will need the services of a foundation expert and a pest exterminator, respectively. Conversely, if you want interior refurbishing or want to change your furniture, you will need to consult an interior designer.
Formulate a Budget
Home renovations can cost a serious sum if carried out without a proper pre-formulated budget. According to a study, Americans collectively spent $400 billion in home improvements in 2020, significantly higher than the year before. Formulating a home refurbishment budget can prevent you from going off-limits while spending your hard-earned money.
Formulate your budget after conducting thorough market research about the prices of the products and services you require for the project. Enlist all the improvements you need and their estimated expenses in high priority order with the highest priority things at the top.
Nevertheless, don’t forget to create a contingency budget plan if the expenditure exceeds your budget to keep the renovation process running.
Discuss with the Experts
Opinions of the experts of the field are a must when starting on a home renovation project. Meet industry professionals and discuss in detail the specifics of your project. Also, consult with and interview multiple contractors, construction managers, and other professionals in the field without having to hire them.
Not only will this help you refine your estimated period and budget, but it will also offer you the luxury of choosing the contractor of your choice.
Consequently, it would help if you also held discussions with your family, friends, or colleagues who have recently renovated their homes. Benefiting from their experiences and acting upon their referrals will surely assist you in doing a better job. The more knowledge you get, the better your mind will be prepared. Who knows, you might hit upon something which you previously didn’t know and end up saving on your budget.
Set Your Timeline Rationally
Renovations can take serious amounts of time, sometimes a lot more than what you expected. A refurbishment process rarely completes within the approximated period, especially when people don’t formulate a plan before commencing the project.
The reason being, as the project continues, people start coming up with newer ideas along with a bombardment of friendly suggestions causing them to add unnecessary renovations along the way. A standard home renovation, on average, takes up about 3 to 9 months, depending upon the magnitude of the project underway.
To formulate your timeline realistically, and make sure to add enough room for time extension and any other possibilities and prevent yourself from any unnecessary stress.
Procure a Building Permit
Just like any other construction-related project, most home remodeling projects also require a building permit. The permit is a must, whether you need to revitalize the old look of your home or you are thinking of adding additional spaces to it such as decks, fences, or plumbing.
In short, any renovation that changes the ground plan of your home and gives rise to safety and security concerns needs a building permit. So, if you want your home’s refurbishing process to continue without any unwanted delay or halt, make sure to procure a building permit in advance.
Note that a permit for flooring installations, interior painting, replacing countertops and faucets is not required.
Enjoy a Stress-free Home Renovation
Home renovations can be tricky and mentally draining at times, with many things to take care of simultaneously. You have to consider several factors before you can push through with a project. However, with the right guidance at the right time and enough effort to plan it, you can get your home renovated with complete ease.
