Remodeling your home is a massive project that requires a lot of planning, budgeting, and commitment that many people run short on. It doesn’t matter if you’re remodeling to sell or you’re trying to create a space that feels more like home to you; it’s important that you take your time and make sure you have everything in line before you start.
These are the steps to follow if you’re planning a home remodel and how to avoid some of the biggest mistakes homeowners have been making for decades.
1. Consider the Possible Projects
Before you start, it’s important to consider what projects you need to do and which ones you want to do. Tasks that need to be done include things that have to do with the utility of your space, the safety of your property, and what will make it easier to sell if you’re planning to sell. These need to have priority because they’ll often offer a higher return on investment.
Projects you want to do but aren’t immediately necessary are still important, but if you realize while budgeting that they’re less important, you’ll simply have to postpone or cancel them altogether.
2. Your Budget and Timeline are Paramount
Before you start buying up materials for stone veneer interior walls, you need to set a clear budget and timeline for yourself. If you avoid setting a budget, you might find yourself running out of money quickly, unable to keep up with the high cost that comes with construction. This is, unfortunately, incredibly common for people who are newer to remodeling.
Your timeline is intrinsically tied into this, especially if you’re hiring people to help you. Workers cost money, and the longer you draw out a project, the more money it’s going to cost you.
3. Try to Catch Deals
Catching a good deal or sale while you’re updating a property can mean a difference of thousands of dollars. Of course, you shouldn’t wait years for the right deal to fall into your lap; if your timeline is looser and you haven’t hired anyone yet, it might be work budgeting and saving your money for six months to a year until the prices look better.
Late fall and winter are the best times to buy materials, or find work, because of lower pricing and higher availability due to lower demand. This can make a project that would otherwise be unaffordable into something you can comfortably complete.
4. Remodel is More Than Just Looks
From drywall corner bead types to the quality of screws and nails, you need to become familiar with the details beyond just how things look. Of course, the stain and colors you use throughout your property matter, but you should be working on functionality and utility as well.
In the late 2010s, one of the largest projects many homeowners attempted was creating a master suite by removing one of the rooms in their property and extending the main bedroom into it. This can knock $20,000 off of the average home’s value and will hurt you in the long run. Remember utility and the return on investment in every project, and how much it’s actually worth.
5. To DIY or Not to DIY
Doing it yourself is an awesome way to save money, get hands-on experience, and enjoy the feeling of a job well done. Unfortunately, it can also come with plenty of problems. If you have a tight work schedule, your project may take a lot longer since you have to try and work around when you have the energy for it. On top of that, if you make a mistake, it’s going to cost you even more to hire someone later to repair it.
DIY can be useful, but make sure to know your limits and hire help when necessary.
6. Deep Clean Any Area Before Working On It
You’ll find almost every room can use a deep cleaning before you start any remodel project.
Not only will deep cleaning give you a clearer view of the space you’re working on, but it will also give you a chance to check for cracks, leaks, gaps, and so much more that you want to repair before putting on more paint or updating the flooring. This will also save you a lot of headaches and clean up afterward since you won’t need to deal with both debris and dirt getting in your way.
Remodeling Your Home is Huge!
Whether you’re trying to create a space to live in for the next thirty-plus years, or you’re eager to sell and want to make a property that’s impressive to buyers, remodeling your house is a huge project. Plan ahead, work with a professional repair and remodeling company, and watch your property glow.
Roger Marx is a freelance writer that loves sharing his knowledge and expertise on home improvement projects especially deck construction. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he enjoys spending time with his wife and working on backyard projects in his spare time. Roger’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a new construction industry resource site.