Remodeling your home can be an exciting time, where you get to be creative and begin the process of creating the home of your dreams. Some remodeling projects are large scale and some are small, but all will involve many details and decisions that need to be made.
At Experts in Your Home, we want your home remodeling process to be as easy and enjoyable as possible. We’ve put together 7 things to think about before starting your home remodeling project. These are simple things that can help you be more prepared and end up with the finished project that you want.
Before you start your home remodeling process, check out these 7 tips for success:
1) Figure out Your Budget
One of the first things you need to do when getting ready for a home remodel is to plan out your budget. And by budgeting we don’t mean you have to be “cheap”. The important thing is being able to afford your home remodel so that it doesn’t cause financial stress in your life.
When you come up with the number you can afford, and that also meets your needs for the size and scope of your remodel, you’re ready to move forward!
2) Determine What You Want and Need
When planning a home remodeling project, there are so many angles to look at it can be overwhelming. However, you likely have an idea of what you want and need from the outset. Maybe you’re wanting to make your existing space nicer by upgrading cabinets and countertops. Or, you could be looking for extra space and adding a bedroom, living room or home office. Don’t be afraid to be creative in this step either. Depending on the design of your home there are likely options to work within your existing space and change the layout as well.
3) Come up With a Timeline
If you are planning a remodeling project, it’s important to think of when exactly you’d like the work to take place. Part of this discussion should be had with your contractor and could depend on their work load and schedule. The other part of this consideration is what time of year works best with your life and schedule. Talk with your contractor and let them know your desired timeframe and see if it will work.
4) Decide What to Spend Extra On
Some things in a home remodel will be more expensive than others. For example, moving walls and upscale bathroom materials will cost more than simply painting a room. If you have any particular inclinations – a luxurious steam shower or quartz kitchen counter tops for example – now is the time to think through the costs of those items relative to your overall budget.
Talking with your contractor can shed light on what you can do within your budget, but give it some thought first so that you’re making sure your overall goals are going to be achieved with your remodel and budget.
5) Ask for References
Any good contractor should be able to provide references for you to contact before you start a project with them. The last thing you want is to get involved with a contractor who doesn’t do great work, isn’t on time and is over budget. To avoid this nightmare scenario, make sure to get several references so you can get an idea of the trustworthiness of the remodeling contractor.
6) Work with a Trusted Remodeler
This goes along with the previous point. After you get references from multiple contractors, call the references for each. You should start to get an idea of who has the better reputation in town. There may be several with great reputations by the way, and at that point you can consider who you are most comfortable working with and take into account their prices and timelines.
7) Prepare for a Temporary Adjustment to Your Lifestyle
Any time you have a construction project going on in your home, life is going to be a little different. One way to make this easier is to plan ahead. Figure out which rooms you won’t be able to use, and if there are any times when you simply won’t be able to be in the home due to noise or chemicals you won’t want to be around. These can be good times to plan a mini vacation or local hotel stay. You may also need to get creative in using parts of your house for things you wouldn’t normally use them for (like using the living room to eat when the kitchen is under construction). Overall a little planning will help you be prepared and less stressed when your remodeling project is underway.
Contact Us for Home Remodeling in Chico & Paradise
At Experts In Your Home, our licensed contractors are committed to ensuring your home remodeling project goes as smoothly as possible and that you end up with exactly what you wanted. Contact us today to discuss options for getting started on your dream remodeling project!
