Home renovation can be very exciting, but if you don’t plan it right, it can quickly turn into a disaster. From setting the budget to finishing touches, here are the most important things to consider when planning a home renovation.
Determine your budget
The first and the most important thing you should consider before starting your renovation is calculating your budget.
You might think “How much can it possibly cost?” The answer is A LOT, that is if you’re not careful. Try to talk to your friends who had the same experiences or check online forums and see how big of a budget they had for their renovation.
Once you get the final number, make sure to add at least an extra 20% for unforeseen expenses. You can also go through your budget with your contractors and make regular checks to see if you’re on the right track.
One final piece of advice when it comes to your budget: don’t borrow money for renovation. If you have to repay money long after your renovation is over, all the satisfaction will be gone.
It takes time
You might think that two weeks are more than enough for a certain renovation to be over, but be careful as those two weeks can turn into two months.
So, make sure to prepare to vacate your home for a longer period of time. If you’re only renovating one part of the house, plan to move all activities usually done there into another space. And don’t be surprised if you suddenly have to move to a relative’s or into a hotel for a few days.
Hire the right people
If you visit any home improvement blogs or forums you can easily find plenty of horror stories and awful experiences with contractors and suppliers.
That’s why it’s super important to find the right people who will handle your renovation. The best way to find these professionals is to ask your friends, family or colleagues for a recommendation.
If they don’t have a good referral, you can search the internet. Some contractors even contact their satisfied customers and provide you with a first-hand report on how it is to work with them.
However, make sure to get at least two or three referrals before you make your decision.
Think about the stairs
We cannot stress this part enough! Stairs are really something you should pay attention to. Decide whether you want to keep them in the same place or whether you want to move them.
This decision can impact your whole floor plan and dictate the final look of your home.
Be careful with plumbing and electrical work
Plumbing is one part of the home renovation that shouldn’t be DIY-ed. Anything more serious than replacing a faucet and unclogging drains should be left to professionals.
The same goes for electricity. Find a pro who will take care of all your electrical works quickly and efficiently.
Be eco-friendly
In this time of great climate changes and environmental issues, it’s very important to be eco-friendly. So, try to introduce a few sustainable elements into your newly renovated home.
For instance, if you’re planning on replacing your old appliances, you can invest in Energy Star models that conserve energy and lower your bills.
You can also do something about water waste. Installing low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets is a great and cost-effective way to save water.
Think about the future
If you don’t plan on remodelling your home every two years, you must take into account your future needs and wishes.
No matter how much you love a certain fad interior style, going classic is always a much better idea. You should also consider any future changes in your family (another baby or kids leaving for college) or if you’re planning to move and put your house up for sale.
It won’t be perfect
No matter how much you plan, calculate and design, things will never be completely perfect. There will always be something you’re not completely satisfied with and that is perfectly okay!
Now that you know all the major things you should pay attention to, you can roll up your sleeves and get to work!
