Home Renovation 101: How to Plan Your Project Like a Pro   

Planning and executing a home renovation for the first time can definitely lead to a lot of stress. Yet, it may just be worth the effort. Home renovations definitely have the ability to transform the spaces within your home into truly exceptional pieces of art.

All you need is some guidance and experts to hold your hand through the process. With a solid vision in mind and a few handy tools at your disposal, it won’t be long before you have that renovated home ready to move in.

Getting into the Basics

Before you pull up your sleeves and get right into it, let’s go over a few basic concepts first;

Tips to Get You Going

Set the stage by planning ahead. Have a vision in mind that truly matches what you want to achieve out of the renovation plan. This is the right time to figure out the budget constraints, timeline limitations, and whether your renovation efforts are even possible depending on regulations and permits.

Not to fret! Analyze all factors possible before choosing a builder to handle all your renovation requirements. The right builder can help you figure out regulations, permits, and much more with minimal effort.

How to Choose a Project

Choose your renovation project depending on what you want to achieve and the look you are going for. If you are a beginner, consider starting out small by perhaps painting a room. This offers you a sense of accomplishment and doesn’t have you feeling overwhelmed right away!

Expert Washington DC house painters make it a lot easier for you to not just remodel one room but your entire house through a fresh coat of paint that truly achieves the ambience you desire. Simply consult them for advice and explore the color palettes they offer, rather than going online and getting lost in the endless maze of choices.

You could also move away from paint jobs and consider upgrading fixtures and furniture within your home. That doesn’t necessarily require you to purchase new furniture; you could simply refinish it at home!

In our opinion, the best remodeling project is one that revamps parts of the home that are falling apart. Your roof is a silent warrior that battles extreme weather day in and out. If you’re considering investing in a remodel, why not reach out to roofing contractors for a quote and replace your roof?

Planning Your Renovation Project? Ask Yourself These Questions First!

Renovating your property is definitely exciting. Once you have that final design set up, it rewards you almost instantly with a surge of euphoria. Yet, it can often stress you out especially if you don’t plan ahead. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to make the process a lot easier for yourself;

1. What Are My Main Goals for This Renovation?

Before you get started with the renovation process, do not forget to clearly define the goals and objectives. Are you considering a renovation to increase your home’s value, improve functionality, or simply update the design?

Ensure you have the right goal in mind which guides all your decisions. For better property value consider high-return improvements that involve the kitchen or upgrade the bathrooms. However, if you want to enhance the functionality of your home, think long and hard about how you can use your space daily and what small changes you can make to add comfort to your surroundings.

The clearer your purpose, the less likely it is for you to get sidetracked. This also helps you save money in the long run as you only focus on necessary upgrades.  

2. What is My Budget and Have I Planned for Unexpected Expenses?

Budgeting should always come first. It helps you avoid any nasty surprises down the line. It is quite easy for you to underestimate the costs before you begin. Thus, make sure you determine how much you can realistically afford and ensure you allocate a restricted budget to the renovation.

The budget should essentially include the cost of the material, labor fees, and permit expenses. This is something homeowners forget to take into account. The easiest solution is to get multiple quotes from professional contractors and compare pricing before you commit.

3. Do I Need Professionals or Can I Do It on My Own?

Some homeowners might prefer doing everything on their own. That’s great if you want to save cost, but make sure you hire professionals for the complex renovations. Contractors, architects, designers, and professional builders, all are a great addition to your team if you want to include them in the process.

Knowing which professionals you want to hire also depends on the scope of your renovation. If you are planning on making any structural changes you definitely need an architect. On the other hand, if your renovation is more focused on design, an interior designer is a must add-on to your team.

Research potential hires and check their credentials as well as certifications and insurance to avoid delays and costly mistakes. A well-qualified team should make the process easier for you and ensure the work is completed on time.

4. Do I Need Any Permits or Approvals?

This is quite easy to answer. Yet, it is definitely a question a lot of homeowners avoid. Overlooking the importance of permits can cause issues down the line.

Certain renovations might require you to gather approvals from local authorities. For others, you may need to meet building or area codes and safety regulations.

Remember; you’ll only require permits for structural changes, any major electrical projects, and plumbing modifications. Moreover, in some states, you may also need to obtain approval before you renovate your deck, fence, or driveway.

5. Have I Considered Hidden Issues?

Home renovations can cause hidden problems to rear their ugly heads. These problems may be non-existent at first. Yet, in older homes, making a lot of big changes often lead to structural issues, water damage, and outdated wiring issues cropping up.

That’s not all. You can add potential mold issues, cracks in the foundation, and a deteriorating plumbing system to the list. If left unchecked, these can surely become a much bigger cause for concern!

Final Thoughts

Renovations are a great choice. What you might want to spruce up is definitely a personal choice. It could come in the form of window treatments, adding artwork, or decorating the home with lighting or other fixtures. Yet a little bit of planning goes a long way, and it can definitely help you get that renovation to the next level!