3 Ideas & Tips for Renovating a House

Renovating your home is a great way to improve its value. Whether you want a contemporary kitchen, a bigger bedroom, a mid-century living area, an extra room for your home office, or a stylish deck for outdoor entertaining - every renovation project is always fun and exciting!

But there can be challenges too. To make sure your renovation project goes smoothly and to avoid unexpected costs, check out these expert-proven tips and suggestions:

1. Understand your needs and wants.

Any remodeling project can be overwhelming. Even if you’re hiring a contractor, there are still so many things to be done - set a budget, choose a design, etc. To get started, the first thing you need to do is decide on what you want and need.

It’s important to find a balance between your renovation needs and wants.

Needs - these are things that are most important in any home renovation project because they directly affect the safety and functionality of your home, as well as the health and safety of your family. These can include repairing leaks in your roofing system, fixing support beams in the attic due to termite damage, replacing damaged drywall, or changing worn-out pipes and plumbing systems.

Wants - these are what most homeowners get excited about during renovation projects. You might think about the finishing touches after the bulk of the renovation like replacing your furniture, installing side lighting, or creating wall art. You might want to give your kitchen a modern look by incorporating polished steel features or bring a cozier feel in your living room by replacing old tiles with hardwood flooring. Wants don’t usually affect the safety and functionality of your home but they can boost its aesthetics and increase its value.

Tackle your home renovation needs first before your wants. Home repair issues should be addressed soon enough or else, fixing them will cost you more.

2. Heed other people’s advice (but do your research too).

Maybe you have a friend who had his kitchen remodeled or a relative who upgraded her basement into an entertainment room. Your family and friends are great sources of information. Ask those who have had their homes renovated for recommendations. They can give you honest reviews about local contractors in your area. Additionally, your friends and family can give you helpful advice on different aspects of home renovation, such as how to maximize your budget, when is the best season to renovate your home, which design works best for smaller spaces, where to find the cheapest materials, etc.

However, you shouldn’t rely completely on what they say. You need to do your own research. Remember that not all home renovation projects are the same. While you can get valuable tips and advice from people you know, your renovation needs and wants might be different from them. You want to make sure you find the right contractor for your project. Get at least three referrals and then check out their websites or call them to ask about their experience, rate, and other information before deciding which company to hire.

3. Use technology to save time.

These days, you can plan any home renovation project with ease right from your device. Whether you’re searching for design inspirations or looking for the best furniture pieces for your newly renovated bedroom, use tools available online to save time and effort. You can find almost everything you need via the internet, from home decor online shops to ordering platforms, directories, guides, and so much more. You can even find free applications that let you visualize your desired home interior design. 

Below are ways you can use technology to save time and money:

• Getting accurate quotes. You’ll find tools that gather several fast quotes for your job. You can also see ratings and recommendations from other users.
• Pull off your own design. Virtual programs are widely available these days. These apps let you create a design based on your personal preference and taste, and most importantly, your budget.
• Get financing. There are great online tools to figure out which loan or card works best for your renovation needs and circumstances.
• Search design inspirations. Some websites are dedicated to giving homeowners design ideas. You can browse millions of photos and connect with professional home designers.

Conclusion

Renovating your home is the best way to boost its value. But the whole process can be overwhelming, especially if you’re doing it the first time.

For a successful and stress-free renovation project, make sure to follow these three tips:

• Understand your needs and wants. Aim to find a balance between the two.
• Listen to your friends and family but also do your research.
• Leverage digital technology to save time.

It takes a great deal of planning and preparation to achieve your renovation goals. But it’s all worth it!