From a spacious living room to a bigger bedroom or an improved kitchen, homeowners want something new or different in their homes.
A renovation provides additional space and comfort to your current home which can be really appealing. Renovating your home can be hassle-free and cost-efficient through proper planning and considering a few factors before hiring a contractor or getting out your tools.
But whether you’ll work with a contractor or do the project yourself, keep in mind that what you do is just as vital as what you don’t do. Here are eight things you should be aware of before you renovate your house.
PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING
Planning and figuring out what you want out of your renovation is the start of a good renovation. Your renovation will go smoothly if you’ll make each and every decision first before starting the project. Delays are not usually caused by decisions on situations that might come up during
Delays are not usually caused by decisions on situations that might come up during renovation. A lot of concerns usually arise in decision about little things like the color scheme of your project or the trim and choice of faucet which may seem like a small issue but can delay your month long project if deliveries are late and when problems are encountered during installation.
It’s a bit difficult to avoid changing your mind about something, but in planning and making decisions in renovating your home, always let the bigger picture guide you along the way.
KNOW YOUR BUDGET
You’ve been dreaming of renovating your home, you have ideas left and right, but the question is does your dream fits your budget? Your home renovation budget should be well thought out and you also have to be realistic on what you want to achieve based on your resources.
It is always a good idea to calculate first the costs of the kind of makeover you have in mind and then work on a contingency fund so that you have an extra budget for the unexpected. A lot of us like to live over our means just to have that luxurious bathroom we’ve been dreaming but remember, you still have to pay your bills and eat while renovating.
Make sure to look at your credit card limits, pay slips and how much you have in your bank before starting the project to see how much you can realistically allot to your project. Accessorizing and decorating maybe the most enjoyable part of renovating but you have to set your budget first to revisions in the framework and then cost cut on decors by availing sale items.
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DO IT YOURSELF
The idea of renovating your home by yourself is enticing to cut on cost. This can be applied in a few cases if you have the proper experience and skills, but just because you have the ability to do DIY does not automatically mean you should. Electrical work, carpentry, setting tiles and plumbing should be done by the pros.
However, if you really want to save there are some simple jobs you can do like painting that requires not much experience. Analysing your overall skills and abilities, cost and time in your hands are just some of the factors you need to consider if you want to do it yourself or hire a contractor.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Understanding the course of renovation is very important so you’ll have an idea of what to expect with regards to costing and the things that will happen to your home. People tend to become overpowered by the numerous selections offered to them, but the result will alwaysbe your decision and what you need to do is to research and let your contractor and dealer do the difficult part for you.
There are many ways you can research. You can talk to friends who have renovated, visit home improvement blog sites to get ideas about the latest trends and go through magazines and get clips of the rooms that engages you to provide you with a general outline of what you want.
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Always go for quality over quantity and not quantity over quality. Investing in quality finishes now that you’ll have for a long period of time like the roof, doors and windows is something you won’t regret. Spending on furniture or accessories that will get obsolete in 10-20 years is not worth as much as spending more on spaces where you’ll spend most of your time in like your kitchen or bedroom.
HIRING THE RIGHT BUILDER
It’s vital for your home to be guaranteed that it can take a big project you have in mind. This is where it’s best to talk to expert builders and certified building inspectors to get advice. Renovation is different from construction of a new home so make sure that you only speak with builders that are reputable and well-established in the field that will bring to the table the full value for your money.
Look for a builder that will guide your through the process of planning and getting building approvals in place. Always check the references they will provide, and if possible ask them to take you to a few homes they’ve renovate. You can also ask your friends and co-workers who’ve undergone renovation if they’re satisfied with the builder they used.
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TO LIVE OR LEAVE
The answer to this question will rely on the scope and type of your renovation. It is quite expensive to renovate a home and moving out can cerainly hurt your budget. It’s easiest to to stay if you’re remodeling the second floor but harder if it’s the ground floor you’re remodeling.
If it’s inevitable for you to stay for the whole project, your builder can provide you with an isolated and comfortable space for you and your family to stay in while the renovation is on-going.
SAFETY FIRST
There are a few safety factors to consider when renovating like structural issues with your home that needs to be surveyed by an experienced architect, builder or engineer. This can come from all kinds of damage such as those by termites and rising damp.
If there are children in your home, it is best to keep them away from areas that might put them in danger and see to it that they are always supervised by an adult where renovations are taking place.
When you’re planning a home renovation, you should visit and talk to your insurance company regarding certain clauses that may take effect in the process of renovation and if there’s a need for you to update your policy to guarantee that you remain secured in certain situations that may arise.