Renovating your home is never an easy task. After all, just think of the scale of the word “renovation”. From finding the right tool pieces to sifting through the hundreds of ideas of what approach to take, it’s often far from a straightforward process.
Despite its difficulties, a home renovation project presents an exciting challenge. Unfortunately, multiple aspects fall out of your control regarding home renovation. Starting at the bottom and securing a contingency fund to consider the smallest of details will help you achieve the renovation project of your dreams.
As a result, this can lead to feelings of stress, meaning some people are left wishing that they had never started the whole project in the first place. In order to avoid this happening, be sure to pay close attention to the secrets of successful home renovations.
Secrets of Successful Home Renovations
A home renovation gives your living space a fresh look while improving its functionality to meet your changing needs. However, a successful home renovation is achievable with a bit of planning, preparation, and attention to detail
Here are some successful secrets for your home renovation:
- Start at the bottom
- Don’t forget your home’s personality
- Secure a contingency fund
- Consider details early on
- Employ trustworthy suppliers and contractors
Let’s discuss in detail:
Start at the Bottom
When renovating your home, it’s so easy to get over excited and start doing the “fun” parts. Despite this, it’s important to have all the foundations in place first before you get to this point.
You can’t just get cracking with the installation of a garden room or a brand-new kitchen; instead, you need to ensure that all the underpinnings of your home are in good stead to facilitate larger renovations.
After all, any fittings aren’t going to be in a good position without solid foundations. It’s not just about foundations; you also need to ensure that your home is properly insulated to ensure heat and cold are kept in.
Don’t Forget Your Home’s Personality
Renovations are all about making your house your home, meaning it’s important that your home’s personality isn’t forgotten about in the process. This means keeping the nature of the existing building in mind and bringing out the best of what’s already there.
If you don’t take this approach, you run the risk of any changes you make looking out of place. Property renovation is about helping a home evolve without taking it too far from its original style. It’s all about enhancing and expanding the beauty the house offers to make it more charming.
Secure a Contingency Fund
Unfortunately, there’s often no way to escape the fact that renovation projects are expensive. Therefore, you don’t want to get going with a renovation project if you haven’t got an emergency fund in place in the instance that anything goes wrong.
As previously mentioned, some things won’t be in your control, meaning that you must account for these mishaps. Roughly, you’re going to want around 5% of the total project cost to account for unexpected situations that may occur.
In the absence of this emergency fund, you run the risk of a project being left incomplete for months on end.
Consider Details Early on
The small details are exactly that, small. Despite this, all the small details add up to create the picture, which is why it’s important to consider these details early on.
From minor hardware to paint finishes, there are various small details to consider if you want to end up with a refined look and steer away from derailed timescales.
This is because small details frequently going wrong can result in extensive time delays, leading to wasted money and time. As a result, making solid decisions about the small details is important.
Employ Trustworthy Suppliers and Contractors
Lastly, you need to ensure you have trustworthy suppliers and contractors onside. These tradespeople can make or break the renovation experience, meaning getting the right workers is important.
Start by collecting personal recommendations so that you trust the source, as this will likely provide you with better results.
Best Practices During Home Renovating
When home renovating, there are numerous things to consider, which can sometimes be overwhelming. The following are some best practices for a successful home renovation:
- Know your end goal: Knowing your end goal is crucial to ensure that your home renovation project aligns with your expectations. Take some time to sit down and think about what you want to achieve with your renovation.
- Do your research: Research is crucial for home renovations. You want to make sure you are making informed decisions about the materials you choose, the contractors you hire, and the overall design of your home.
- Consider long-term costs: While you may be focused on the immediate cost of a renovation project, it’s also essential to consider the long-term costs. For instance, choose energy-efficient materials to save you money on utility bills in the long run.
- Address proper safety: Safety should always be a top priority during home renovation projects. This could mean hiring licensed professionals for electrical work or ensuring proper ventilation during painting or sanding projects.
- Increase efficiency, not size: Focusing on increasing efficiency rather than size is essential when considering your renovation project. You can create more room without adding square footage by making your space more functional.
Which part of my house should I renovate first?
Practically speaking, a kitchen renovation typically generates the most dust and debris. Hence, it’s best to get that work done before any new paint or finish jobs are completed elsewhere in the house. Plus, the kitchen is the heart of the home, and no one wants to be without it for too long.
Which room is the most expensive to renovate?
Generally speaking, the master bedroom and bathroom are the most expensive to renovate compared to other rooms in the house. These areas typically require higher-end finishes, such as marble or custom cabinetry, which drive up the overall cost of the renovation.
What time of year is best to renovate?
Most contractors agree that summer is the most popular time of year to renovate. This is because the weather is typically better, and folks are just coming out of the holiday season, feeling refreshed and ready to start planning. Plus, summertime means more daylight hours, which can speed up the renovation process.
Should I stay in my house during the renovation?
One of the biggest concerns for homeowners during a renovation is whether or not to stay in the house. The answer depends on your comfort level, budget, and the overall complexity of the project.
If it’s a major renovation, such as a full kitchen remodel, move out during construction to minimize inconveniences and speed up the timeline.
However, moving out can also add significantly to the budget, so it’s only sometimes necessary. It depends on your individual circumstances, so weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a final decision.
Bottom Line
The secrets of successful home renovations are multi-faceted, but can be achieved through careful planning and attention to detail. By following these guidelines, you can mitigate the risks involved in home renovation and ensure that your project runs as smoothly as possible.
Whether you’re planning a minor upgrade or a full-scale renovation, taking the time to consider the tips outlined here can help you achieve desirable results while ensuring that you remain within budget and schedule constraints.