Imagine this: you’re bored with the old-looking home and kitchen. You’re painting your walls the same old-looking colors, aiming to provide a sense of freshness. So, how about giving your house a makeover to lighten it up and create a unique space? Remodeling your home allows you to change it according to the latest trends and styles.
In addition, remodeling your house provides an excellent opportunity to adjust your space and turn it into a comfortable and stylish one. Whether you’re renovating your house to sell or just trying to give it a new look, it boosts its resale value. Changing things around your home helps brighten your space and make it more functional.
However, starting a remodeling project can be overwhelming, mainly if you haven’t gone through one before. So, how can you ensure a stress-free and successful? Remember to plan before starting the renovation. From the unpredicted structural problems to delays in deliveries, there are always hurdles in the way you must consider.
Unsure how to plan your remodeling project? Here are some effective tips for planning a smooth renovation project.
1. Pack your valuables
When your home is undergoing a remodeling project, there will likely be a lot of mess. Hence, prepare the space accordingly. Consider safely packing away all your items to protect your valuables from damage during the renovation project. Not just that, packing away your things also ensures enough space for your contractor or workers to store materials.
However, moving your stuff isn’t always as easy as packing your belongings into boxes. There might be some heavy or fragile items that need moving. Hence, consider hiring services like Optimove packing services instead of overburdening yourself with the packing process. Hiring professional movers ensure all your belongings are packed safely. But even if something goes wrong on the experts’ end, they ensure that your items are covered by insurance.
2. Set a budget
You might have heard that creating a budget is essential before starting your house remodeling project, but do you know why? Knowing your budget beforehand helps you decide how your renovation planning session goes.
Without knowing your budget, you might need more time with the designer, which might add more expenses to your home renovation project. Whereas figuring out what you’re ready to pay can help you to get the ball rolling in no time.
But how can you make a budget for your renovation project? Your budget must include all necessary expenses like costs for labor, building materials, decorative finishes, and building permits. Start by deciding the amount you’re willing to spend and then finalize the financing.
Ensure to keep aside at least 15% of your budget for unforeseen costs. Besides that, remember to request quotes from multiple designers. But what if your cost estimates exceed your budget? Consider eliminating elements that aren’t your priorities.
3. Make a realistic timeline
Once you’ve decided your home needs a makeover, one of the critical questions you need to ask yourself is when you want the home renovation project started and completed. Having a realistic timeline ensures your renovation goes smoothly, allowing you to create practical expectations for yourself. So, how can you make a timeline for your home remodeling project? Start planning by choosing the desired start date.
Sit with your contractor and calculate the length of time required for each section of the project. Not just that, but decide which portion of the project needs to get done first and which elements of the project can be completed simultaneously.
In addition, your timeline should also include time to clean out the project area and considers any holidays your designer might take off. You can use a calendar to mark each step of the renovation. Remember to set a completion date that includes a few days of wiggle room for unforeseen problems.
4. Create a detailed plan
It might seem tempting to skip everything and start the house remodeling. But remember, proper planning prevents poor performance, making it vital to create a comprehensive plan before renovating. A detailed and well-organized renovation plan prevents you from feeling lost during the procedure, ensuring your project goes smoothly.
Your renovation plan should state the objective for your project. It must contain all the design inspirations and a summary of work that has already been done. Besides that, your remodeling project’s plan should contain a list of everything you’ll require and sketches of the final project. Your plan should include a list of the work you can do yourself and for things you might need professional help with, like plumbing.
5. Find good help
Choosing the best contractor for your remodeling project is vital. An inexperienced or unprofessional contractor can not only cause you a substantial financial loss but can also be problematic to deal with, making it essential to hire a skilled and experienced contractor.
But how can you hire the right contractor? Consider listing down all the contractors in your area that are highly recommended. Don’t forget to check their online reviews, as they give you a good sense of the contractor’s quality of work.
Once you’ve shortlisted potential contractors, meet them to better understand their work and professionalism. Moreover, during the meeting, ask them whether they have the necessary permits and licenses. You can also ask for references or request their past work to see whether they fit your requirements.
6. Consider temporary housing
Living in your house during the remodeling can disrupt your routine. Whether you’re getting your house’s walls repainted or changing its layout, moving out temporarily can be beneficial. You must understand that temporary housing is a worth-it investment for your and your family’s well-being and safety.
Not just that, it helps you keep your stress levels low and enables your workers to finish the project faster.
While choosing housing options, keep your budget in mind. For instance, if you’re moving for more than a month, look for a less costly housing option.
Final thoughts
Does planning to renovate your house sound quite challenging? Don’t worry; we’re here to help you. Look at the valuable tips mentioned above and see how you can use them in planning your next house remodeling project to ensure it goes smoothly.
Photo by Blue Bird