When you are undergoing a home remodel, you may be tempted to simply skip to the thrilling stage of selecting brand-new paint colors, fixtures, etc. However, in order for renovations to go smoothly, there are numerous things that need to be considered before the remodel begins. Here are 20 tips to ensure your remodel is a successful one.

Tip #1: Determine an End Goal

Prior to determining the extent of your renovation, you need to determine your end goal for the home. For instance, is the goal of the renovation to increase the resale value of your property, or do you intend on staying in the home for many years? Take into consideration the neighborhood condition and familiarize yourself with the renovation that offer the best return on investment as well as which renovations would be “overdoing” it for your area. By having a plan in place before you start, you will know how far you want to go with your remodeling project.

Tip #2: Set a Budget

One of the most important parts of planning a renovation is to set a budget and stick to it. Make sure that you have a contingency fund for any unanticipated costs that may crop up, in addition to incidentals, such as eating out expenses for the renovation of the kitchen or possibly staying in a nearby hotel for a couple of nights.

Something to keep in mind is that while you may want a top-of-the-line renovation, you may be able to get by with some inexpensive upgrades to give off the appearance of an expensive home. Take the time to do your homework and plan your renovation and your budget before doing anything else.

Tip #3: Peak at the Calendar

If you are hoping to have your renovation complete in time for a holiday or an event, you need to take a look at your calendar and work your way from that date backward. Make sure you give yourself some wiggle room toward the end in the event that there are some delays in between.

Tip #4: Do Your Research

Take some time to sit down with your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers to discuss any renovation work that they have previously had done and the challenges that they faced. The more information that you have at your fingertips, the better you can plan your own renovation.

Tip #5: Know Your Limits

While you can save money, obtain a sense of accomplishment, and spend time with your family by performing a do-it-yourself renovation, if you aren’t sure what you are doing, the renovation can quickly turn disastrous. It is important that you know what tasks you can handle safely and which ones you need to let the professionals handle, such as lead paint, asbestos, and a load-bearing wall.

Tip #6: Request References

A quality contractor will have no qualms about handing over references, copies of insurance, etc. prior to starting a job. While client testimonials are great, you should take the time to seek out actual customers and get a first-hand account and get the answers to questions that you have. Request before and after pictures of prior work, and don’t be afraid to trust your gut.

Tip #7: Declutter

To ensure that your remodel is as simple as it can be, take the time to declutter your home within the area that will be renovated. If your entire home is being remodeled, you should seriously consider renting a storage unit to hold your personal belongings and keep them safe and secure during the remodel.

Tip #8: Consider Your Routine

If you have experience with DIY projects, then you are probably good at working around various disruptions and can handle the disturbances that come with a home remodel. However, if not and you have a contractor coming in, you will want to ensure that you work with the contractor to have as minimal disruptions to your day-to-day as possible. The last thing that you want to do is come out in your bathrobe and greet the contractors.

Tip #9: Establish Mission Control

One of the most frustrating things when you are doing a project is being unable to locate the tool that you require. Prior to starting the remodel, reserve a certain area of the home to serve as mission control, which can house materials, tools, checklists, manuals, etc.

Tip #10: Protect the Children

A home renovation is an ideal way to involve your kids, but the little ones, it can also be dangerous. So, to protect the children, you need to make sure that you install electrical safety covers, child safety gates, and store sharp and dangerous tools out of the way, particularly during the off-hours when the remodel zone may not be adequately supervision.

Tip #11: Protect the Pets, Too

If you are feeling the stress of the temporary disorder of a home remodel, can you imagine what your four-legged furry friends are feeling? Don’t forget to take care of your pets during this time, which make consist of having them stay at a friend’s house or a pet boarding facility during the bulk of the timeline, or at least during the day when the actual work is being done. After all, you don’t want to worry about your pet running out the door as materials and tools are coming in and out of the doors.

Tip #12: Plan for Utility Outages

Depending on the area of the home where you are working, you may not have shut-off valves for the plumbing. If this is the case, you will need to shut the water off at the main valve, which will leave your home without access to water. So, it is important that you plan ahead for utility outages like this by having containers of water on the counter for cooking, in the refrigerator for drinking, and buckets of water in the bathroom to flush the toilet. An alternative for the latter is to simply fill the bathtub with water and just have a bucket close by for pouring.

Tip #13: Create a Master List

To increases your chances of success with the remodel and assist with your budget, you should create a master list, which should consist of everything that you need—from the paint rollers and brushes to the permits. You may want to consider grouping items in the list, such as by the items that you already have and the items that you still need to buy. When it comes to tools, the list can help you determine the ones that you should rent or buy.

Tip #14: Draft Drawings

Don’t assume that you need to be an engineer to draft up some drawings. Keep in mind that you will likely need a drawing in order to gain a permit for the renovation. Make sure that your drawing notates the heights and widths of all windows and doors, square footage, and locations of all utilities.

Tip #15: Obtain Permits

Some homeowners look at obtaining a building permit as a way to slow down the remodeling process; however, the permits that are required of you are necessary. If you fail to get the necessary permits, it can come back to bite you in the rear end. These permits are to make sure that your remodel meets all fire safety and structural requirements. If it does not, inspectors can actually make you rip out the work that is not up to code, creating a huge headache for you. So, make sure that you think ahead and get the permits that you need.

Tip #16: Create a Renovation-Free Area

Prior to starting a home renovation, it is a good idea to designate a certain area of the home that is free from all remodeling projects; this will be an area for the family to gather to relax—or somewhat relax—at the end of the day. Make sure that everything you need is in this area. Ultimately, the key here is so that there is a functional area for everyone to get together, eat, unwind, or have fun.

Tip #17: Schedule End-of-the-Day Cleanup

At the end of the day, you are probably tempting to just grab a quick bite to eat, take a shower, and hit the sack, leaving the mess for tomorrow. However, doing so can cause significant delays, lost tools, and major headaches. So, make sure that your renovation plan includes time at the end of the day for cleanup. Trust us, you’ll be thankful that you did this.

Tip #18: Plan Ahead

Whether you are focusing on a structural or cosmetic renovation, you have the opportunity to enhance the money-saving or function capability of your house. For instance, if you are ripping out an entire room of the home, you have the ideal chance to add wall insulation, add additional electrical or light fixtures, or upgrade the electrical panel. The thing is that you must think ahead regarding how you plan to use the space and take advantage of any cosmetic upgrades that will enhance the home’s structure.

Tip #19: Schedule the Help

If you know that you are planning a home remodel in the foreseeable future, then you need to start calling in some favors from your friends and family members. Provide them with plenty of time to rearrange their schedule so they can help. Don’t forget to send them plenty of reminders as the date of the remodel approaches—and consider offering some free food as incentive to help. If you are hiring a professional contractor, make certain that you provide enough lead time that your desired timeline can be achieved; otherwise, you may be waiting on them to be able to pencil you in.

Tip #20: Keep an Eye on the Weather

Regardless of the time of year you are planning your remodel, even if it is spring or summer, don’t count on perfect weather all the time. Keep a close eye on short- and long-term forecasts before starting the project, and make sur to schedule outside jobs, such as wood cutting and spray painting, on days that have the best weather. If you need to cut the power to your air conditioner or furnace, consider the temperature so that you can maintain comfortable working conditions. Also, keep an eye out for any unanticipated changes in the weather.

With the aforementioned tips, you should have no problem running a successful home renovation. However, if you would prefer to leave it to the professionals, contact us at Structure Remodeling.