If you are planning to renovate your home, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure about where to begin. Or maybe the opposite is true and you are bursting at the seams with excitement and skipping some essential aspects of the planning process. Either way, we understand. So we’ve listed 10 things you should know before you embark on your home renovation.
1. Do your research
Gather as much information as you can about complete home renovations. You’ll need to know what tasks are your responsibility and what you should hire other people to do. Understanding the entire process from start to finish will help you plan accordingly and give you an appreciation for the process. You will be able to set realistic expectations and goals based on the information you have gathered.
The internet is a great place to start. You can search for home renovation contractors, read through online forums, and consult professionals. Also, talk to people you know who have completed house projects and ask them about their experiences.
2. Create a design plan
Think about what you want to do with the various rooms in your home that you plan on renovating. Initially, you may have a general idea of how you want the space to look, however, as you move into the planning phase, you need to be specific about what you want. Get a notepad and write down every detail you can think of for your home. Remember, the goal is to implement a design that is realistic for your family’s lifestyle, your budget, and your timeline.
3. Bring your own drawings
Just because you are not an architect doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try your hand at drawing your designs. Draw the current floor plan of your house and be sure to clearly label the rooms, doors, windows, closets, and other fixtures like the stove, sink, and toilet.
Once you have this, sketch what you would like each room to look like. This can serve as a visual as you explain your ideas to your renovation contractors. Drawings will also help you remember the finer details.
4. Contact the professionals
While the internet is useful for research and giving you general ideas for your renovation project, contacting professionals and asking them specific questions regarding design options, materials, prices and other relevant information can give you a better idea of what to expect with your renovation project. Nothing beats speaking with the experts because they have vast knowledge in the industry and can give you information you may not know to ask.
Professionals can also help you know which contractors you should hire for your renovation. Keep in mind that when hiring contractors for your project, always go with certified and insured contractors.
5. Establish your budget
Determining what your budget is early on will help you establish the scope of your house renovation. While you may not know the specifics, having a ballpark figure in mind is a good start.
When you contact professionals for the project, one of the first questions they will ask you is what your budget is. So you need to know this early on in the process.
6. Prepare for additional costs
Keep in mind that what may seem like small expenses will add up very quickly. Also remember to leave room in your budget for unexpected expenses. It isn’t uncommon to discover hidden issues during the renovation process that require additional work so be sure to leave some flexibility within your budget. No one wants to hear their contractor tell them that the project has gone over budget. Unfortunately, this happens frequently in construction.
7. Set a reasonable deadline
Anytime you’re working on house renovations, delays should be expected. It is rare for everything to go as planned so prepare yourself for inevitable delays.
Some of this may be due to surprises that pop up, the lack of availability of certain contractors, issues with the supply chain, poor weather, exhausted funds, and many other reasons.
Whatever the cause, it’s important to be flexible and not allow the delays to overwhelm you.
8. Clean and organize often
Make a habit of doing cleanup at the end of each renovation day. Allowing dust and debris to build-up can cause delays and add to your frustration during the process. You may be surprised at how keeping things organized will reduce a significant amount of the stress typically involved in home renovation projects.
9. Safety comes first
Anytime a construction project is underway, safety is paramount. In-home renovation projects, there are many things to consider, for example, safety for you and your family, your pets, and your property.
Make sure that protective equipment is used appropriately and that safety measures are taken at all times by everyone involved in the renovation.
Safety also extends to items within your household like your furniture and other fixtures that may be fragile or breakable. Store these items in a safe place for the duration of the renovation.
10. Increase the value of the home
Renovation projects can reinvent your living space for the enjoyment of your family but also have implications should you decide to sell your home. Renovations increase the value of your home because they create an opportunity to upgrade certain features in your home. Think about the type of renovations your home’s future occupants would appreciate. Some of the renovations with the highest return on investment are bathrooms, kitchens, basements, additional bedrooms, open floor concepts, and timeless finishes.
Contact Us
Renovating your home is a huge undertaking with many financial commitments and time commitments. Being aware of the important things for your home renovation will help you stay organized so the project can go on as smoothly as possible. A large part of the success of your renovation project relies on hiring professionals who know what they’re doing.
For GTA home renovations, look no further than Aria Build. We specialize in home renovation projects and are happy to help you create your dream home. Reach out to us today and one of our friendly professionals will be happy to give you an estimate!