Upgrading living spaces in your home can be a daunting task. Before you start, we recommend taking into account several factors that can impact your remodeling. Read this guide and remember the do's and don'ts of remodeling your home.
1. Do not assume you can do every upgrade
You're competent, you feel capable, and you have a youtube video that's going to show you How To. All that does not mean you'll definitely can pull it off. Before deciding if you want to bring in a professional, determine what skills are needed and find out if you have to hire a professional and what level of experience (read as: price) you need.
As a reminder, asking family and friends to help can turn it into a really fun project. However, if they are not experienced then it doesn't necessarily increase your chance of performing the task correctly.
However, if you are convinced you could pull it off, go for it! It can save a lot of money and you might even find a way to leverage that money more effectively to get more out of the sale then you would've had you paid a professional to come in. Just remember, if you screw up that will remove value from your home, so you'll have paid with your time and money to remove some value from your home.
2. Always add a small percentage to your budget assuming it will go over your estimation
Putting together an optimal budget including materials, labor, transportation, and installation costs is not an easy task. Therefore it is recommendable to add an unforeseen cost into the estimation. This will cover any remodeling mistake or cost not contemplated. Depending on he project, if you're using insured professionals or not, decide how much you want to use as a safety net.
If you're unsure, 20% is a good number.
3. Keep in mind that remodeling takes more time than expected
Especially when you are remodeling an old house, surprises can be expected. Do not underestimate the remodeling time frame. Sometimes previous installations in a house may be poorly executed. Therefore, we recommend being careful with this matter, and take this advice into consideration when planning a time schedule.
Better to find yourself with extra time for activities than to find yourself shooting the nail gun from long range to save time (please don't do that.)
4. Investigate the local building codes and regulations for your living area
Homeowners tend to assume that remodeling is an easy job. However, depending on where you live, the local building codes and statutes need to be considered. Try to hire a building inspector. Professionals can provide you substantial information that establishes the safety of your home.
5. Don’t start your remodeling project until you are finished with the cost and time frame planning
Before removing walls and hammering new ones, make sure you are all set with the planning process. Not doing this properly would lead to an expensive project. Being patient is important in succeeding in this project. It is better starting a bit later than having construction materials cluttering the house for weeks.
6. Don't buy cheap materials to save money
Lastly, we recommend against buying inexpensive construction materials. Like any other product, construction materials have quality standards, life cycles and price ranges. Don't think that all materials have the same quality. We recommend to talk to experts and get your appliances from credited hardware stores.
Do not get discouraged if you are ambitioning a challenging home renovation. Do your research and find ways to keep your costs within your budget. Believe it or not, there are somewhat low-cost materials with high quality that look stylish and can meet your expectations.
Although home renovation is a challenging task, you should enjoy the process. For specific steps for home improvements, click here.