Things to Consider or Think About Before Renovating
Whether you’re about to tackle a do-it-yourself project or enlisting the support of professionals to carry out the job, there’s a lot to consider before embarking on a home renovation.
#1. Budget
Talk to a friend who has been through a similar renovation process, do as much window shopping and cost-comparisons that you can do. Check your budget with your contractor or trades regularly to make sure you’re on track. And for those inevitable issues that will occur, make sure that you take on at least an extra 20%. A great renovation is much more satisfying if you save up more necessary funds before starting.
#2. Find the Right Contractor
A usual recommendation is that the best contractors can be found through word of mouth. Maybe a friend just built a marvellous castle that is a site of all attraction in the neighbourhood or other street and people are aroused by its magnificent work done by the contractor. But if you can’t come up with a good referral, you can find great contractors on the Internet. Make sure you get several referrals before you sign any agreements!
#3. Be Realistic
Dreaming is the start of any good renovation, but to have a good experience, you have to be realistic about what you can accomplish based on your budget, resources, and your existing home. So many of us (particularly in this era of low-interest rates and easily accessible home equity loans) will live beyond our means just to have that gorgeous gourmet kitchen or marble bathroom. If you are absolutely committed to the dream of something that you can’t afford, see if you are able to renovate in stages.
#4. Determine Goals and Inspirations
You won’t be happy with what you get unless you have some expectation for it and achieve what you want. It’s really important before you embark on the renovation process that you have a clear understanding of what to expect. Talk to friends who have renovated as well as other real estate and renovation experts. Search shops and the Internet for the latest and greatest. Have a general idea of how you want the space to look and feel. If you are overwhelmed, find a designer who can help you lead the way.
#5. Everything is in Details
Having a big picture should be approved, but we know that details are what can make or break a renovation. You might be delighted with yourself thinking that you had ordered your faucets, tiles and your vanity for your bathroom. Where your plumber could bellow you by asking if you got the Rough-ins. Within that moment, the glory of having provided everything to trades had vanished as you realized that you had not ordered everything. And now having to hold up your renovation for another two weeks or so. So make sure you have a list (or multiple lists for each room), and make sure that you confirm and reconfirm that everything has been ordered and delivered.
