Home renovations can make almost any room in your house more attractive and functional. It can also increase the value of your home, especially if you focus on key sections like the kitchen, bathrooms, or outside areas.
When you’re excited about the idea of your home renovation, it’s tempting to get right in without having all your ideas in place. Unfortunately, rushing through can result in less-than-ideal results.
We propose that you take a moment to pause and consider these five tips before renovating your home.
Why are you renovating?
It’s crucial to consider first why you are renovating. Consider the following questions:
- Is it because you’ve been putting off a cure until it’s become too much to bear?
- Are you seeking strategies to make the most of your available space?
- Are you looking for ways to make your house more valuable?
You’ll be better able to focus on the things once you know why you’re upgrading.
Bathroom or kitchen or living room renovations are a terrific way to increase the value of your home while also allowing you to make the most of your space. A fresh coat of paint, new window coverings, and trendy furniture can help to modernize your surroundings and add value to your home.
A Building Inspection is Crucial
Before you renovate, you should always have a building survey from a professional building surveyor. The costs vary depending on the house’s size, location, and age.
Any serious issues, such as the need for a new roof or damp or structural movement, will be highlighted during a building survey. The survey will also show you any additional things you may require (such as a specialist asbestos report).
However, keep in mind that a surveyor will not detect hidden issues or provide an estimate of expenditures.
Assess your budget realistically
The understatement of the day is that renovations are costly.
Be honest with yourself about how much you can afford. Get written quotations from at least three remodeling contractors and be explicit about what these estimates include and do not include. You should budget for 45-50% of material costs, 30-35% for labor, and 20-25% for fees, taxes, GST, and levies. Remember to factor in extra costs like storage and council permissions.
It’s useful to know if you’re taking on more than you can handle. And if it’s worth getting more. To make the renovations cost-effective, look into financing possibilities. However, don’t underestimate the strain a large mortgage may put on a family’s life, particularly young children.
Talk to your bank or financial counselor about extending your current home loan, refinancing your mortgage, or acquiring a construction loan if you’re short on cash.
During a renovation, unexpected delays, hidden fees, and substandard work can all occur. Create a 15-20% buffer in your budget to account for unforeseen expenses. Consult your house and possessions insurer before beginning work.
Many insurance policies contain exclusions for water damage caused by renovations, and some will cancel coverage if your home isn’t properly secured. Inquire with your builder about if their insurance covers the entire structure or just the portion they’re working on. If you have a problem with a contractor, put your complaints in writing and describe how you want the situation resolved.
Decide on a schedule
While you’re practical, you should think about your time frame as well. Even the most diligent contractor may be unable to complete your home remodeling job on schedule. To account for complications that may arise throughout the project, including delays or setbacks in your remodeling timetable.
What kind of delays do you think you’ll encounter? Weather delays are always a risk, and they can extend practically any building stage. Consider the weather when planning your project, depending on the time of year.
Another major problem is material availability; due to the COVID-19 lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, several contractors are experiencing months of delays on projects due to materials like roofing and siding being unavailable for ordering. There are busy periods at certain times of the year, so you may need to postpone your makeover until a time when your contractor’s schedule is clear.
Some homeowners try to plan a home redesign around a particular event, such as a family reunion or a holiday, while others may have to vacate their homes while work is being done. Consider how an unforeseen event can affect your timetable or expectations if you haven’t factored in the possibility of delays.
Before you begin, visualize all of the aspects of the room
You want your renovation to appear fantastic if you’re going to spend a lot of money on it.
That requires selecting how you want each room to look from the start. A professional interior designer or decorator can assist you, and they will guide you through a process to help you define your style and bring it to life.
This includes sticking to a budget and creating the appearance you want through sketches, mood boards, and samples.
If you’re going it alone, look for ideas in publications, books, and blogs. Create a Pinterest file or board to save your favorite photographs. In your choices, look for recurring patterns. Choose one or two important elements and base your design decisions on them.
Final Words
Renovating is an exciting endeavor to take on. It comes with many small nuances that are important to comprehend, and the procedure may take longer than you imagined.
Whether it’s a little or huge project, planning ahead of time and completing thorough research will ensure a smooth transition. When done correctly, a home makeover will undoubtedly pay off!
