When renovating your home, it can be tempting to skip over the exciting step of selecting new colors for paint or fixtures and fittings. But in order to guarantee a successful renovation, there are a few things you must take into account before beginning. At ProperForte Home Remodeling, we take great pride in being recognized as one of Houston home remodeling companies with over two decades of experience in residential renovation. Not only do we specialize in complete home renovations but also kitchen remodeling and bathroom upgrades.
Before You Begin
Prior to making any decisions on how you want to renovate your home or the amount of work necessary, it’s essential that you understand your ultimate objective. Are you aiming for increased property value or are you staying put for years to come? Consider the condition of the neighborhood where potential renovations would yield a positive return on investment and which ones are overkill in that area. Creating an action plan ahead of time will help determine what direction your renovations should take.
Establish a Budget
Budgeting for your renovation project is one of the most essential elements. Make sure to set aside an emergency fund for any unexpected expenses, as well as incidentals like eating out while doing kitchen renovation or booking into a hotel for two nights. While high-end remodeling may seem appealing, sometimes all that’s needed are some inexpensive improvements that make your house appear more expensive. Be sure to do your due diligence and create a realistic budget before beginning construction work.
Consult the Calendar
If you’re considering buying a house to commemorate an upcoming special occasion or holiday, be sure to start at the date of your event and work backwards. It is wise to plan some extra weeks or months towards the end in case delays happen that could cause disappointment.
Do Your Research
Spend time speaking to friends, family and neighbors about their renovation experiences and the difficulties they’ve encountered along the way. The wealth of wisdom from people who have gone through similar circumstances will be invaluable during planning and may influence your decisions.
Be Aware of Your Limits
DIY renovations can be an enjoyable way to save money and feel satisfied while engaging the whole family, but if you do not know the correct way to proceed, the results could be disastrous. Make sure that you know which projects are safe for you to handle yourself and which tasks should be left to professionals like dealing with load-bearing walls that could contain asbestos or lead paint. Before beginning any DIY renos, ensure you understand what materials should not be touched – these could include asbestos or lead paint!
Request References
A reliable contractor should be able to provide references and proof of liability insurance before the project commences. Do not rely solely on client reviews; seek out actual clients who can give an inside view and answer any queries that arise.
Pack Up
To make any home renovation as stress-free as possible, clear away clutter, organize, or relocate any belongings in the renovation zone. For a comprehensive overhaul, consider renting an offsite storage unit or having one on site to keep all your possessions secure throughout the duration of the job.
Consider Your Routine
If you’re a seasoned DIYer, chances are you’re familiar with the challenges that accompany house renovation projects. However, if you have contracted out any aspect of the work to a contractor, be sure to communicate your daily schedule to them and cooperate in setting start and end times that cause minimal disruption to your family’s routine – no one likes being interrupted while still wearing their pajamas! Everyone would prefer meeting with tradesmen in comfort while you’re still wearing your robe!
Protect the Kids
Remodeling your home can be an ideal opportunity to get kids involved in DIY projects, but for very young children it could also be dangerous. Install child safety gates and electrical safety covers as well as keep sharp tools out of reach of curious toddlers during off hours when there may not be enough supervision available in the remodeling area.
Don’t Forget About Pets
Remodeling a house can bring about temporary chaos for both people living there and their furry family members. When planning a remodel, remember to take into account both their safety and security – perhaps by hiring someone from the family or finding a pet-sitter while most of the work gets done. This is especially critical when doors will need to remain open during construction to let equipment and materials in and out.
Plan For Outages
If the area where you’re working doesn’t have any shut-off valves for plumbing, then you may have to turn off the water at that valve. In order to prepare ahead of time, place bottles of water inside your fridge for drinking or in the kitchen counter while cooking and keep buckets of water handy when flushing toilets – one way is filling your bathtub with water then pouring it into a bathroom bowl from above.
Make a Master List
To maximize your chances for success and to help with budgeting, create a checklist with all the items necessary for the job – from permits to rollers for painting. Divide this list into items you already own and those to purchase. When it comes to tools, having an inventory helps determine which ones can be rented instead of buying new, helping determine where money can be saved by renting instead of purchasing.
Create Drawings
No engineer is necessary to draw job plans; however, most likely you’ll need an illustration in order to secure a permit for your home remodel. Be sure to note the dimensions, heights and widths of windows and doors as well as where all services such as electricity, water, gas or electrical are located.
Obtain Permits
Many homeowners view getting a building permit as an unnecessary obstacle that will slow down renovation progress. But permits are usually essential and may come back to haunt you if not obtained. With building permits, inspectors from all jurisdictions can inspect your work for fire safety and structural compliance; code inspectors could force you to rip off subpar work, which could cause costly issues when trying to sell your house later on. It’s best to plan ahead and ensure all necessary procedures for obtaining a permit are followed.
Scheduling Cleanup for the Final Day
After an exhausting day of renovation it may be tempting to turn off the lights and leave the mess for later. Unfortunately, this can lead to delays, broken tools, and even a loss of sanity during the process. Make sure you factor in plenty of time into your plan for renovation so you have ample time for cleanup at the end. You’ll be thankful you did!
Check the Weather
Before beginning an outdoor remodel in spring or summer, be sure to consider weather forecasts both short and long-term. Consider cutting back on power to your air conditioner or furnace on days with cold or hot weather so that your workspace remains comfortable; additionally, watch for any sudden changes in conditions.
