How to Have a Successful Home Remodel
Planning a Successful Home Remodel
Before you start planning your home remodeling project, you need a plan. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when starting the process of remodeling their home is skipping the planning phase and rushing straight into a project. Home project planning can be a tedious process, but it is necessary and will help you make the most out of your time and money.
Follow the steps below to ensure your remodel meets and exceeds your expectations, without making a ton of mistakes along the way.
Decide What You Want Early On
A HUGE part of planning a home project is deciding what you want it to look like in the end. Are you going for a modern look, grand and elegant, or traditional. No matter what room you’re doing having a better understanding of how you want the finished product to look and feel will help make decisions on your design easier and help you stay on budget. We also recommend making a list of all the features and items you’d like to see in the finished remodel.
Create a Realistic Budget
The next step in your home remodeling project plan is to create a budget. Once you’ve decided the scope of your project and what features and finishes you want, figure out how much money you have available to spend. Keep in mind, what you want and how much you can afford may not always agree with one another. You may also want keep in mind, renovations don’t guarantee returns. Spending more on an upscale renovation isn’t necessarily a better investment than spending less on a mid-range project.
If you need some tips on how to budget for a home remodel follow these:
- Figure out how much you have to spend: After you’ve decided what you want, determine whether or not you have enough money to cover the costs. Look at your wish list and prioritize needs versus wants.
- Assess the condition of your home: As a general rule of thumb, the older the home, the more hidden costs you’re likely to find behind your doors and walls.
- Check what permits your city requires: In addition to protecting your home and family, getting the necessary permits will ensure you won’t have to redo any of the work. The last thing you want is to run out of money in the middle of a project.
To avoid going over budget, add up your expenses before you start.
Get Written Estimates
Planning a home remodeling project involves getting estimates from remodeling companies or general contractors. Before you start researching contractors in your area, get recommendations from family and friends about whom they hired for their remodeling projects. Compile a list of several contractors you may want to hire, but don’t let price be the deciding factor.
Before hiring a contractor, consider the following:
- Years of experience: A contractor who’s been doing business for a long time makes them a safer bet than one who is new to the business.
- Contracting license: Make sure your contractor has gone through all the steps needed to obtain any required certifications specific to their line of work.
- Certificate of insurance: Contractors should have workers’ compensation and liability insurance for the type of work they perform.
- Timeline for completion: It’s important to know when contractors will start and complete a project, and if there are any circumstances that may affect that schedule.
- Payment schedule: A reputable contractor won’t ask you to pay the full price upfront, and the Better Business Bureau advises not to. However, it’s important to discuss payment terms before construction begins. In some cases, it’s better to spend a little extra to get someone you’re comfortable working with.
Map Out Your Schedule
Depending on the scope of your project, a home renovation can run anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. As a result, you can expect your day-to-day life to be impacted in some capacity. If the contractor you hire doesn’t provide their own timeline or project plan for your home renovation, you should make your own and share it with them.
If you’re planning on having major work done to your kitchen, you’ll want to plan ahead and find a new place to eat for the time being. Renovating your master bedroom? You’ll have to make other sleeping arrangements. Depending on how much renovation is going on in your home, you may want to consider living somewhere else.
Generally, the bigger the project, the longer it will take. A digital calendar will help keep your home remodeling project on time and on budget.
Now that you know how to plan a successful home remodel, your time and money will be well spent. Remember, during your home renovation you’re going to have a ton of debris you’ll need to dispose of. Call us at Waste Solutions 123 today for a free quote and schedule one of our roll off dumpsters to your home project!