The decision to renovate your home isn’t one to be taken lightly. Sure, it’s exciting being able to get one step closer to your dream home, but it can also be overwhelming!There are so many different choices to be made before and during a home renovation that even just the thought of it may have some people stressed out. This is especially true for those considering their first home renovation – how do you know you’ve been making the right decisions during the process before it’s too late?Fortunately, if you’re looking for some guidance, there are some general things that you definitely should and should not do during any home renovation.
The decision to renovate your home isn’t one to be taken lightly. Sure, it’s exciting being able to get one step closer to your dream home, but it can also be overwhelming!
There are so many different choices to be made before and during a home renovation that even just the thought of it may have some people stressed out. This is especially true for those considering their first home renovation – how do you know you’ve been making the right decisions during the process before it’s too late?
Fortunately, if you’re looking for some guidance, there are some general things that you definitely should and should not do during any home renovation.
There are a lot of things to think about before starting a home renovation. For example, are you going to stay in the house during the process? If not, it may take you some time to figure out another place. If you’re renovating your kitchen, you’ll need to think about where you’re going to cook your meals. What appliances are you going to buy? What kind of floors? Have you shopped around for the best price of materials? Etc. etc.
In order to address these kinds of concerns and more, it’s a good idea to begin planning at least a few months in advance. Plus, this gives you time to save up enough money to pull off your perfect reno.
You can make all the plans in the world, but if you can’t afford them, they’re pretty much useless. During the planning stage, make sure you create a comprehensive budget. This should include, but is not limited to, the cost of materials and any major appliances, contractor fees, and any approval fees.
Also, keep in mind that it is quite possible that your renovations will go over budget. To help prepare for this, consider setting aside roughly 20% of your budget to cover any extra expenses.
A good, reliable contractor is extremely important to a successful home renovation. If you don’t know one personally or have a trustworthy word-of-mouth referral, make sure you shop around before deciding on your contractor. Call them up and speak with them personally or search online to find out about their qualifications and work history to make sure they’re a good fit for your project. If you can find customer reviews as well, even better.
Also, make sure they are licensed, bonded, and insured. You don’t want to have to foot the bill if they have any major issues like injuries during your renovation.
Unless you have significant expertise in the area, don’t try and save a few bucks by attempting a home renovation project by yourself. Sure, putting in your own hardwood floors may not sound like a big deal, but if you’re looking to eventually sell your home, potential buyers will likely be able to spot an amateur job. You may not mind if it’s less than perfect, but if you’re expecting them to pay top dollar then they certainly will!
