Planning a Successful Renovation Project

This article will help you avoid the common pitfalls for house renovation. So read on!

Set Your Goals

Before jumping on any renovation project, you need to know your end goal. What is the purpose of the renovation? What part of the house or the property needs to be renovated? Are you renovating to increase the market value of your property for resale purposes? Or will you be renovating for your family to conveniently stay for the years to come?

Decide how extensive the renovation will be. You should also consider your location and the condition of your neighborhood and determine which renovation is good for long term investment.

• Consider Your Routine

Will the renovation affect the daily normal routine of your family? Will you need to temporarily move to another location to complete the renovation? These are some factors you should consider before you begin with your renovation project.

In all instances, don’t forget to factor yourself and your family as to how much stress can be tolerated because of renovation. There should always be concrete planning like a temporary place to stay for you and your family. This is particularly needed if the renovation is too extensive that it will affect the daily routine of your family.

• Be Realistic

A precise concept of whether it is for expansion or aesthetic purposes is the start of any good renovation. But to materialize these ideas, you must be realistic about what you can accomplish based on your resources and budget.

In this era of low-interest rates and easily accessible home equity loans, people tend to go beyond their means by obtaining huge bank loans just to finance renovation projects. There is nothing wrong with obtaining a loan if your renovation can be equated into a business that could eventually generate income to pay off the loan.

Now, if the intended renovation is for non-business purposes, you might as well stay within your budget. If you are committed to a renovation that you can’t afford, check if you can renovate by stages.

• Find Your Ideal Design Project

Do your research and find your ideal design project. You must have a general idea of how you would like your new home to appear after the renovation.

Take the time to talk to your friends or relatives and discuss the details of any renovation work that they have previously done. Ask them about the common challenges they have encountered during the process. Any information from friends or relatives who've been in your shoes can be vital in your planning process.

Set Your Budget

Renovation requires money. While it is not always easy to strike the balance between your dream design and the cost allotted for the project, knowing your budget and sticking to it is one of the most crucial points of a successful renovation project.

Furthermore, factor in contingency funds for any unexpected expenses. These expenses may include meals for your contractor or even taking alternative housing during the period of renovation. To avoid the hassle of going over your budget, be sure to have a reliable contractor to advise on the estimated cost of the project.

• Find Your Contractor

You can achieve the best result for your project if you decide to hire a general contractor to do the job. The goal is to find the right team to complete your home renovation.

To identify the right contractor, you may consider conducting background checks—checking their license, certifications, and credentials. This is to ensure that you are dealing with a professional who is competent to do the job. Equally important is finding a contractor who understands your vision, so it is advisable to have a preliminary discussion before the formal engagement of services.

• Make a Detailed Material List

To help in the budgeting process and to have the best chance of success, create a master checklist of items you need. This should include administrative tasks like permits, right down to all materials needed for the project.

Discuss this with your contractor as they’re more familiar with everything you’ll need in this project. It is always helpful to have a list of all the items you need to purchase. You may also create a list of the tools that you can rent instead of purchasing new ones.

Schedule

Just like any other project, you need to set a timeline for the renovation project. Having an estimated schedule is important especially if you want to personally oversee the work and need to take a leave of absence from your job.

If the renovation is needed to be completed for an important event, ensure that you mark your end date and implement the work backward. It is always advisable to have wiggle-room in your schedule and adjust accordingly as the need arises.

• Speed Up Process When Possible

Talk to your contractor and discuss possible ways to speed up the renovation process. There are suggested tools and equipment which could help to speed up the renovation process. For instance, in the case of indoor painting jobs, you may suggest the use of air mover to quickly dry paints and other applications.

After Renovation

Expect that there will be an incredible amount of construction dirt and clutter after renovation. Your property will require a thorough cleaning before you can settle down.

• Clean Up

Clean the walls and if the walls are newly painted, do a dry dusting. If you kept the original paint, wipe them down with a damp towel or use disinfecting wipes. You also can wrap the towel around a long piece of wood to reach high places.

Use disinfecting wipes to clean down wood or metal furniture, knickknacks, and any other miscellaneous items. For carpeted floors, use a vacuum cleaner and repeat the clean up a few more times. While for wood, tile, or linoleum, do a quick mopping after using the vacuum.

• Restore the Air Indoors

After renovating, you should restore the indoor air quality and eliminate possible contaminants in the air. You can simply do this by using an air purifier or an air cleaner.

• Protect Your Kids and Pets

During and after renovation, be sure to install child safety gates, safety covers for any open electrical sockets and keep sharp tools out of sight of children. This is to avoid any untoward accidents.

Don’t forget your pets too. Consider the safety and care of your pets by keeping them away from the renovation site. You may ask a friend or a relative to pet-sit while the renovation is taking place.

Takeaways

For a successful renovation, always trust your instinct about what you need for your home. After all, it’s your property and whether it is for resale purposes or home improvement—enjoy the process as it should be a rewarding transformation rather than a source of stress. Set your reno goals, and always have a plan and a detailed course of action.

Guest Author Bio:

Megan Jones is an author who works at aerindustries.com. She mostly writes about camping, interior and exterior maintenance, healthy living, and related topics. Having a huge experience in renovating and remodeling, Megan has gained some valuable knowledge, which she is now actively promoting.