A successful home renovation starts long before construction begins. You need a clear plan to turn your ideas into a space that better fits your home and life. A relatively stress-free renovation is exciting and an investment you won’t regret, but this doesn’t happen without planning. You need to do all that you can to avoid scheduling problems, unexpected costs and communication issues.
Whether you’re renovating a single room, a section of your home, or your entire house, these steps can help you create the smoothest possible experience.
Establish a Clear Goal
Every great renovation begins with a clear goal. The goal will vary from home to home, but there is always a goal. Some of the most common things people want to achieve with a renovation include:
- Creating more functional living space
- Updating a kitchen or bathroom
- Adding space for a growing family
- Improving storage
- Preparing to age in place
- Increasing your home’s value
In some cases, you’ll have a combination of goals, and you’ll want to make decisions that support all of them. For instance, you might want to update your kitchen, improve storage and add long-term value to your home. This means you’ll want to make choices that suit your current design and lifestyle, while also ensuring they stand the test of time and appeal to potential buyers if and when you sell your home.
Create a Realistic Budget
Once you set goals, you’ll want to create a budget that will guide and limit your decisions. While it’s nice to dream about your ideal renovation, if you can’t afford the choices you make, it won’t help you in the long run. Having a budget allows you to avoid disappointment and shop within your price range.
When creating a budget, be sure to account for everything. You aren’t just paying for the materials you’re bringing into your home. You’ll also need to account for:
- Designing costs
- Permits
- Demolition and disposal
- Structural changes
- Fixtures and finishes
- Electrical and plumbing upgrades
- Unexpected and emergency issues
One effective way to manage your budget is to earmark money for must-haves and nice-to-haves. Once you’ve funded all of the must-have expenses, including those you weren’t expecting, you can put money toward the optional choices.
Impact on Daily Life
One of the things people planning a renovation forget to consider is how the project will affect their daily life. The good news is that it will eventually end, and you’ll have a completed project. But if you manage the renovation phase more effectively, the project will feel smoother and less stressful overall.
Before renovations begin, consider:
- Will certain rooms be off-limits during the renovation?
- Are pets and/or children affected by the project?
- How will we prepare meals during a kitchen renovation?
- What facilities are available if one or more bathrooms are undergoing a renovation?
- Where do we store furniture and other items during the renovation?
Having a plan in place before renovations begin makes the process easier on everyone. While you can just “grit your teeth” through the process since it won’t last forever, it’s much easier and more pleasant if you come up with an interim plan.
Choose the Right Contractor
The person you put in charge of your renovation can make the difference between a project that exceeds your wildest imagination and an expensive failure. You aren’t just hiring someone to construct. A good contractor can help you with design planning, licensing and permits, finding quality materials, and handling all the bumps along the way. Your contractor will be a major person in your life for weeks or months. You need to make sure they are competent, good communicators and the right fit for you.
- Listens to and considers your goals
- Clearly explains their process
- Identifies potential challenges early on
- Provides realistic expectations
- Communicates throughout the process
- Coordinates the different stages of the project
Why Choose DeCarli Contractors?
A renovation should improve your home, not take over your life. The right team can also help you avoid the frustration of managing multiple decisions, scheduling the project and managing service providers on your own.
Working with an experienced contractor can help you turn your ideas into your dream home without upending your life. To discuss your renovation goals or to learn more, contact us today.
