Home Remodeling Ideas – You may want to renovate your home for many reasons. You may wish your home has a higher value when you sell it. Or you want to make your home more eye-catching and beautiful. Whatever your reason, renovating your home is a big job requiring budget and planning. To help you in your remodeling journey, here are some things you want to keep in mind.
Should you Hire a Contractor or do it yourself (DIY)?
One of the first things you want to ask yourself is: should you hire a contractor or DIY?
There needs to be a more straightforward answer to this question. Hiring a contractor almost always ensures professional-looking results but comes with a cost. Going the DIY route will cost you less, but it requires your skill to go through the entire renovation. When deciding whether or not to hire a contractor or DIY, ask yourself the following questions:
- How big is the scope of work?
If you’re remodeling a bedroom or installing a leaf guard for gutters, you can do it yourself without a problem. However, bathroom and kitchen remodeling is a bigger job because plumbing is involved. - What kind of experience do you have with this type of work?
If you’re skilled in the renovation you want, there is no reason why you shouldn’t go ahead and do it. However, if this is the first time you’ve encountered this type of work, there might be better ideas than tackling the project. - Can you live with the results?
Ultimately, you’re the one who has to experience the outcome of the renovation. Going the DIY route may be good for you if you want to consolidate your expenses and are willing to spend the time and effort. However, hiring a contractor is the way to go if you want a professional result.
Decide which Part of the House you Want to Renovate First
You want to decide which part of your house you should remodel first, but which one? According to the National Association of Realtors, you can 107% recover the cost of renovating the roof and floors if you decide to sell your house. Also, in the same report, renovating the kitchen and closet and giving the house a paint job are the top three projects that bring the most satisfaction. But, no matter which part of your house you want to remodel first, the important thing is you make a decision. From there on, you can start to compute your time and budget and complete the renovation.
Interview Multiple Contractors
If you’re going with a contractor, you’ll want to interview a few to compare their bids on your home renovation project. In addition to comparing their prices, when you talk to a few contractors, you’ll be able to find a contractor you’re comfortable and happy to work with. To find the best contractors, you’ll want to:
- Check out their licenses and permits.
- Ask for references from their previous clients to see their work.
- Put everything in writing for your and your contractor’s protection. Insist on a detailed contract, so everything is covered.
Set a Budget and Timeline
Once you’ve decided which parts of the house to remodel, you’ll want to decide on a budget. You’ll want to work with a contractor to create a project cost estimate. This includes material, labor, permits, and any finishes. Setting 10% of your budget for unexpected expenses might be a good idea. You’ll also want to work out a timeline for when you expect things to be finished. Be realistic in your timeline, and remember to include the time for shipping, delivery, permit applications, and work area preparation. If you want, you can use free project management software found on the internet.
Remember to check the short-term and long-term weather forecasts so you can schedule jobs that require you to be outside accordingly.
Label Your Boxes When Packing
To make any remodeling project as organized as possible, declutter and pack your items away from the renovation zone. When you do this, remember to label the boxes so you know exactly where you’ve kept your things when you have to unpack.
Home remodeling can be challenging, but with careful planning and these tips, you’ll enjoy your improved and beautiful home in no time – Home Remodeling Ideas