Did you know that 90% of homeowners want to remodel their homes at some point in the future? If you’re in the process of planning a whole house remodel, you’re ahead of the game! For those who love their neighborhood and the overall layout of their homes, remodeling is a great way to personalize your space and get exactly what you want out of the house you’ve built a life in.
Before you can get started picking out countertops and paint colors, you need to get organized. The last thing you want to do is cause yourself unnecessary stress because you didn’t take the time to prepare properly.
To help you get ready for this exciting chapter in your life, we’ve compiled a list of 8 essential things to do before you break out the power tools.
Let’s get started!
1. Have a Clear Plan
In any remodeling project, whether you’re focusing on one room or the whole house, it’s crucial that you have a clear plan and end goal in mind before you begin. Which rooms are you remodeling? What do you plan to do in each of them?
Remember that every project has an ROI (return on investment) value attached to it and every neighborhood has a price cap.
Even if you have no plans of selling your home, you don’t want to get to the point that you could never sell your home for what it’s worth. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for a worst-case scenario situation.
2. Set a Budget (and Stick to It)
Arguably the most important thing to do when planning a remodel is to set a budget. You need to know how much money you’re willing to put into your home so that you can distribute funds among projects.
When creating ballpark estimates for your remodel, it’s best to overestimate cost rather than assume something will be cheaper than it is in the end. And remember to have a cushion in your budget for incidentals.
It’s common for unexpected costs to arise in a whole house remodel, plus you might need a little extra money for eating out or staying a hotel.
3. Create a Checklist
Take a look at the plan you created and create a master checklist based on the projects you need to complete. Make it exhaustive! Include everything you can think of, from the permits you’ll have to apply for to every piece of equipment you’ll need. Better yet, search the internet and learn more about all the possible costs you might forget such as hiring a garbage collection service for clearing out the debris after the renovation is finished.
Separate your list into categories to make it easier to digest. Create a category for things you already have, things you need to purchase, contractors you need to contact, and the portion of your budget you plan to spend on each item.
4. Delegate Tasks
There are a few options when approaching your home renovation. You can take the DIY route, hire contractors, or have a mixture of the two. If you’re a contractor or experienced tradesperson yourself, you might feel comfortable with most projects.
However, with in-depth tasks, especially those dealing with plumbing or electrical, it’s usually best to bring in a professional. Be honest with yourself about which projects you feel confident tackling and which you need help completing.
5. Choose Your Contractor
When choosing your contractor, don’t just pick a name out of the phone book! To get the most out of your renovation and minimize the possibility of bumps in the road, do your research.
You first need to ask a potential contractor for references and proof of liability insurance. If they’re unable to provide either of these, they’re not the one for you!
You should also take personality into account. Although experience is important, it’s crucial that you gel well with the person remodeling your home. You’re going to be spending a great deal of time talking to them throughout the process!
6. Build a Schedule
Sit down with your contractor and build a schedule before the renovations begin.
They should be able to give you a rough idea of how long the process will take, but it’s a good idea to add a few weeks onto the date they give you in case of unexpected roadblocks.
Next, set a start and end time for their work on your home. A remodel is going to be disruptive, there’s no way around it. Although setting a schedule will help to cut down on the interference in your daily life.
7. Decide to Stay or Go
Depending on the depth of the projects you plan to undertake, you might need to vacate your home for at least a portion of the remodel. Not only is living in the midst of construction difficult, but there will likely be points where you’re without water or electricity.
Discuss possible solutions with your contractor and your family. If you need to stay with a friend or family member, or even check into a nearby hotel, why not make it a mini-vacation!
8. Prepare Your Home and Your Family
To minimize the risk of damage to your belongings, consider packing up any rooms you’re going to remodel and moving the boxes into the garage or a storage unit. You should also look into any additional equipment you might need during construction, such as a dumpster or porta potty rental.
If you’re staying in your home during construction, install safety gates to keep children and pets out of danger. Keep in mind that having strangers in and out of your house for weeks on end might be stressful for your furry friend.
Know your pet, if they’re sensitive to strange people, ask a friend or family member to pet sit.
Conquer Your Whole House Remodel with These Tips
Taking on a whole house remodel is both exciting and nerve-wracking. To make it the most positive experience it can be, get organized early, and stay on top of the project throughout the entire process.
Be honest with yourself about your goals, your budget, and your limitations, and do what you can to keep the amount of stress you and your family experience to a minimum.
For more tips on creating the home of your dreams, be sure to take a look at our blog!