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Every homeowner, once in a while, should renovate or flip their home. It keeps the sense of newness alive. After all, who doesn’t love to live in a new house, right?
When renovating your home, your sole aim is to breathe a new life into it without breaking the bank. You want it to look bespoke, Pinterest-worthy, yet functional and comfortable for your family.
But home renovation can be a mammoth task and often a stressful one. So, the best way to approach this is to break it down into smaller parts. We have compiled a list that you should be mindful of while renovating your abode. So, let’s get right into it.
1. Set Your Budget & Plan Your Renovation Around It
The budget is the utmost important part of any home renovation project. But, when you plan your finances, be realistic about it and make sure to add a contingency amount. While you are renovating, anything can happen, especially if your house is old. There are high chances that you may notice some unforeseen issue.
For instance, the wood in your kitchen window may have weathered because of rain and heat. You may not have anticipated it when you started. But, there’s no way you can leave it as is after finding out.
Also, renovation work is time-consuming. You may have planned for one-month long work, but don’t be shocked if it becomes two. So, it is important to have enough money in hand before you begin.
Another aspect to consider, especially if you’re renovating your home from overseas, is currency. Based on the currency, the value of money changes. For example, if you are living in the UK, but doing a home renovation in Sydney, calculate your budget in Australian Dollars, not Pounds or Euros.
2. Choose The Right Home Builders
We all know home renovation is a labor-intensive, time-consuming process. So, if you are a working professional and do not have time to take on such a big project, we suggest hiring contractors.
Interview and take quotes from at least three contractors and home builders. It will give you an idea of how much the renovation might cost you. This way, you can adjust your budget. But do not simply go for the builder that quoted the lowest.
It is wise to talk to their previous clients, see their work, and then choose. Also, establish a good and cordial relationship with your contractor. It will benefit you in the long run, trust us.
3. Do Your Research Well
In-depth research about your ideas will help keep you from having unreal expectations. It will also help you foresee many hidden complexities and surprises, despite having a contractor.
For instance, getting your permits in order and knowing property bylaws are crucial. Check for the permit history and change in fees from the last time you did. Your contingency fund can cover it.
As for decor, you may have liked some items from a high-end store. But instead of investing in them straight away, it is a good idea to look for them online, in thrift stores or in second-hand furniture or decor stores. They may be available at a much cheaper price. It’s a great way to renovate on a tight budget.
4. Create A Vision Board
In older days, people used to take pictures of what they liked for their own home or cut out photos from magazines. This used to be a great way to help your home builder see your vision.
In this digital age, you can simply create your vision board by scouring through sites like Pinterest, Architectural Digest, or Houzz and downloading the images that appeal to them. Architectural home builders would also appreciate some notes explaining your thoughts besides the pictures.
5. Establish Good Rapport With Your Contractors & Subcontractors
Home renovation and building are highly complex. There are project managers, architects, masons, carpenters, glaziers, electricians, and interior designers, among others, who are involved in a home redo. Ensure to establish a good rapport with your contractor and the subcontractors working under them.
Having good relations with each can make this process smooth. Don’t forget, if you need a last-minute change, they can accommodate your request without much fuss. This is only possible when you have an excellent relationship with your work partners.
6. Get An Insurance
Having proper risk insurance can go a long way. During the renovation, the builder’s risk insurance can protect the property owners from damage to your home. It commonly covers fire, vandalism, hailstorm, theft, explosion, etc.
7. Give Your Workers Space To Do Their Job
Imagine working on an important project, and your boss is sitting near you, criticizing your every move and idea. It can be extremely unpleasant. The same is applicable to home redo as well.
Especially if it is for luxury home builders, trust that they are the experts in their crafts. Remember, it is a construction site, not your home for the time being. If you are renovating your whole house, it is wise to move out temporarily. But, keep the return date open in case of unplanned delays.
It is essential to be on-site while the work is going on, but it is equally important to give the workers the space needed to get the job done.
8. Don’t Buy Everything New, Reuse
Home renovation does not mean buying everything new. Reuse some of your old items along with the new ones to create a new look for your home. Therefore, prepare a list of items to dump, donate and reuse.
It can be family portraits, expensive artworks or sculptures, or even decorative items you plan to continue displaying in your newly renovated space. Ensure to tell your contractor or architectural home builders about them so they can consider those items in their new plan.
9. Be Unafraid To Voice Your Opinion
It is your home that is getting renovated. So, feel free to share your thoughts, ideas, and passions with your contractor so that they can incorporate them into the design. Let them know if you want to display any particular hobby or collectable you want to display.
Make sure you do it in the design phase itself so they have ample time and opportunity to include it in your revamped space.
Key Takeaway
We hope this list has given you a fair idea of how to go about your home renovation. We understand that it is a big task, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Devise a plan and create your vision board. Express your thoughts and ideas with your architect or contractor to get what your heart wants. Follow these tricks for a successful home renovation.
