Home remodeling is exciting, exhausting, and enjoyable in the end. Most of us prepare an endless list of things we want to change and new items we want to add. However, for any home renovation to go smoothly, you need to have a detailed plan from the moment the remodeling starts to when it finishes.
You may feel compelled to skip a step now and then, but for a quick and efficient experience, you should go by the book and plan your home remodeling down to the last step. If you are someone who is doing home improvement for the first time and doesn’t know where to begin, then check the following easy tips for home remodeling planning:
Make a Home Improvement Master Plan
You can’t possibly begin home renovations without sorting out the master plan of what your home is going to be after the remodeling is done. Before you begin, you need to know your end goal, and for that, you’ll require a grand plan that identifies all the projects that you want to do during the remodeling.
A master plan allows you to see the bigger picture and stop you from doing things randomly. For instance, you decide with ‘plan as you go policy’ and start with tiling in the bathrooms only to realize that the water pipes and drainage system need improvement!
Decide When to Call in the Pros
Home remodeling is more than moving furniture or doing a paint job. There are many projects involved which you cannot do on your own. For instance, you can seek help from a water damage advisor if you are restoring after devastating water damage or unfortunate flooding.
Similarly, if it’s a simple paint job or changing the bulbs, then you put your skills to the test. Otherwise, the best thing to do is to make a list of the projects you think should be handled by a professional. Electric work, HVAC, flooring, master bath projects, etc. are tasks that a pro can handle better.
Decide on a Budget
Home remodeling is such an exciting project that you can easily go overboard, especially with your monetary funds. Therefore, one of the most important things you need to keep a check on while remodeling is your budget. After completing the grand plan, the plan a budget by determining the average cost for the projects involved.
Remember to keep your project within the budget to avoid spending excessively. An ideal budget should diligently cover the cost of labor along with the inclusion of almost 10% to 20% contingency, like finding mold when stripping the shower floor. This is also a job for water damage experts.
Search for a Reputable Remodeling Company
You have the plan, the budget, and the list of all the dos and don’ts, and now you can move to the next step, which is to hire a reputable remodeling company. As discussed before, taking care of everything yourself is not the wisest decision in this case and can compromise your entire plan.
To make sure the project finishes the way you want, you should choose to go with a company that has a reputation for making their client’s vision come alive. You need to choose a remodeling contractor that offers solutions rather than increasing the number of problems.
Stick to a Timeline
Building a timeline and sticking to it is crucial if you want to get the project done in time. Before the rough work starts, you need to put together a timeline and allot the number of days or hours to the various projects involved in the master plan. You need to be thorough and specific because home remodeling can be extremely hard to handle if you are working blindly.
You should discuss and take the input of your contractor when building a timeline. Determine the estimated length of time each project will take and come up with the desired start and end date. Your timeline must consist of accounts for holidays your contractor may take, estimated time of delivery of materials, and time to clean out the project.
Pack Up and Let the Work Begin
There is no need to follow this tip if you are planning to stay somewhere else for the entire length of time of your home remodeling. However, if moving is not an option, then you should start packing and clear space according to the construction plan before it begins. Prep your house in a way that you wouldn’t need to move things at the last minute.
It’s better that you set up a temporary living situation for yourself, especially for kitchen and bathroom remodeling in case you don’t have a second bathroom. As for the kitchen, eating out constantly can be costly. It’s best to start packing at least 1 or 2 weeks before the project start date.
Excited for Your Home Remodeling Project?
Home renovation is a thrilling process where you breathe new life into your home. However, you should be mentally prepared for what you are getting yourself into because it can become a lengthy project. You can have a very smooth experience if you follow the above tips and plan efficiently.
About the Publisher
Bo Kauffmann is a residential real estate agent with over 18 yrs experience in helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals. Inducted into the REMAX Hall of Fame in 2010 and receiving the REMAX Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Bo has sold over 500 houses and condos in the Greater Winnipeg market. He is an accredited buyer representative (A.B.R.) and a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist.
Bo provides exceptional service to First-Time Home-Buyers, Seniors looking to downsize and Home Sellers of all ages.
He can be reached easily By E-Mail or call/text him Call/Text Here
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