5 Tips for Taking Any Fright Out of Planning a Remodeling Project

It’s pretty normal for many homeowners to get jittery and all worked up following a scheduled home remodeling project. Perhaps you saw that bathroom or kitchen design in a magazine and would love to have a similar one. You’re not sure you can actualize it and where to start. You’ve probably heard of nightmare stories from homeowners who had to sue contractors for poor quality work and others with stalled remodeling projects. Don’t worry! We’re here to guide you on the best steps you can take to achieve your goal. Engaging the best and most reputable home remodeling general contractors like Beaver Building & Remodeling is the best way to get your confidence levels surging. This is because the basis of most of the fear is visualizing the possibility of not getting your ideal result. However, this fear is quickly shelved with a good and trustworthy contractor who has a history of delivering quality work.   

In every home remodeling project, planning is key to ensuring a seamless process. We’ve put together 5 tips to help you quell your fears and rejuvenate your optimism as you plan for your home remodel project.

Conceptualize Your End Expectation

The first step is to figure out what you expect from the remodel and the reason for your .motivation. Is the remodel triggered by the need to increase your home’s value before a resale, or are you doing it for the comfort of your family? Your primary goal can determine the level of monetary investment for the project. If the chief reason is resale, you might want to consider factors such as the type of neighborhood and the expectations of property valuers and homebuyers within the place. You wouldn’t want to spend money you can’t recoup after the sale. At this point, you should also group tasks into what you’ll comfortably do by yourself and those that will require an expert. There should be no room for error; only apportion yourself tasks you’re sure to complete correctly since a slight mistake on your part could be costly. 

Determine A Budget 

Before getting down to creating a budget, know the maximum amount you’re willing to spend on the project. It’s advisable to involve professionals in relevant fields to get the most accurate estimates. These costs should include labor, permits, materials and fittings, decorations, emergency funds, and other related and applicable potential expenditures. Sticking by your budget plan is crucial in ensuring your project goes on unhindered by inadequate finances. Ensure to factor in associated costs arising from inconveniences from the remodeling process. For instance, if you’re remodeling your kitchen, it’s prudent to include estimated costs for eating out for the period.     

Hire A Contractor 

The contractor you hire will be integral in delivering your ideal home remodel. Ensure to have a pre-selection criterion that is not just limited to costs. Other than costs, some of the most common pre-selection criteria to consider are;

• Years of experience; the longer they have been practicing, the higher the chances they are competent enough. 

• Qualifications and certifications; ensure that they have all relevant certifications required for their nature of work. 

• Insurance; it’s pertinent that they have liability and compensation insurance relevant to their nature of work.

• References and testimonials; you can inquire about references of previous customers and their phone numbers.  

• Photographs of previous work; some contractors have a collection of photos from their previous work before and after the remodeling process. This can be an excellent way to assess their expertise.

Draft the Project Timeline 

After successfully drafting a budget and selecting your contractor, the final task is to create a timeline to guide the remodeling process. It’s good to involve your contractor(s) for the most accurate estimation. Inform them of the time you expect it to be ready or the date you want it started. They’ll break down the tasks into portions and estimate timelines for each, including holidays where they won’t be working. The contractor will also shed light on any materials that will be shipped and the length of time it will take to deliver them.    

Prepare for the Remodel 

The final step is to prepare for the remodel. This will depend on the size and complexity of the project, whether or not you’ll have to move out of the house. You will have to come up with alternative coping mechanisms for rooms inaccessible during this period. If the remodel affects one of the bedrooms, make sleeping arrangements in other rooms. If it affects the whole house, you might have to relocate until it’s done.

Similarly, you can consider reading the following posts as well:

• In What Order Do You Remodel a Kitchen?
• 10 Bathroom Remodel Mistakes That You Must Avoid