Few projects are more exciting and stressful than remodeling your home. After all, there is a lot of money at stake. That’s why it is so important that you carefully plan your home remodel so you can achieve your goals and reap the many benefits possible.
1. Establish a budget.
By establishing a practical budget, you can move forward with the planning phase of the project with guidelines in place to keep your stress levels low and your objectives realistic. For example, if a new inground pool is on your family’s wish list but your entire budget for remodeling your home is $35,000 and you live in New England, then the backyard swimming pool is probably not a practical way to spend the majority of your total budget in most cases.
2. Decide how long you plan to stay in your home.
It is helpful to discuss how long you plan to remain in your home. If you plan to stay in your home for a decade or longer, then it makes sense to pay for the best building materials that will last.
A family’s needs can change a lot over time. For example, if you plan on retiring in your home or have older parents who might need to move in, it might be practical to have the dining room downstairs renovated into a main floor bedroom where climbing stairs won’t become a problem.
3. Renovate to improve energy costs.
It makes sense to update the features of your home to save money on energy costs. These types of improvements will likely pay for themselves in a few short years. You might consider upgrading to a premier commercial insulation product to maximize benefits. Green improvements will make your home much more marketable and help you obtain the highest price possible when it is time to sell.
Using green building materials can make a big difference in your energy bills. Always make design changes with energy costs in mind.
4. Plan renovations based on your family’s lifestyle.
Family life is dynamic with every family member having different ideas. It is always a good idea to discuss renovation plans with the entire family to be sure that you are considering everybody’s unique needs. For example, maybe you’ve always imagined screening in the porch. Your teenagers may want a pool room instead where they can invite friends over to socialize.
Remember, sometimes it’s possible to combine projects to accommodate multiple purposes that satisfy all family members. Whenever possible, stretch your budget dollars by making informed decisions based on everyone’s input.
5. Hire qualified contractors and always check references.
While you and your family members may be able to do some of the work yourself, it is always smart to delegate more complicated projects to experts. Never try to complete projects that you aren’t qualified to handle.
When selecting a contractor, start asking friends for people they trust and know. Always check a contractor’s reputation by calling his references. If you take a shortcut and don’t check them out, you may be very sorry. Even trusted referrals can surprise you. If a friend gives you the name of a family member in the business, you should still interview them and check references or risk the consequences.
6. Evaluate your neighborhood to decide which renovations will raise property values.
Every neighborhood has its own personality and responds differently to different types of improvements. Talk to your neighbors and look at homes for sale in your neighborhood. Do most of your neighbors have hardwood floors, while you have old carpet in your home that should be replaced. What type of improvements seem common and expected?
If granite countertops are the norm, then you might want to upgrade your kitchen countertops. Kitchen upgrades usually pay for themselves since families tend to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
Conclusion
By carefully planning your home renovation, you can create the dream house your family wants and deserves. It is important to remember that making an educated decision to upgrade insulation and employ other energy-saving techniques will continue to pay you back year after year.
