With the constant influx of content from Tiktoker’s in Home Decor, Instagrammable interior design accounts, and Pinterest worthy blog posts, it’s hard to resist the urge to pull an HGTV on your home! But before you whip out the sledgehammer and attempt to tear down some walls, it’s best to do a little preparation and planning. Today on the blog, we’re giving you some tips and things to consider before you head down the renovation path! Whether you’re trying to do some simple redecorating with wallpaper and paint or doing a full gut renovation, we’re sure you’ll find some helpful pointers on our list.
Budget. Budget. Budget.
When it comes to renovations, you need to be prepared to expect the unexpected. This is not the time to be underestimating your costs and pinching pennies. No, in fact, it’s best that you overestimate your costs and add at least 30% more to your estimated budget just to cover mistakes, mishaps, and unexpected surprises. No matter how new your home may be, there will always be unanticipated hiccups and setbacks, so it’s best to have a little wiggle room to purchase extra supplies or pivot your plans as needed. If you happen to come up under budget, then you can put the money into your future repair and house maintenance fund!
In addition to budgeting finances, make sure you’re adequately budgeting your time. Depending on the project it may take a few days to a few weeks to a few months. Give your timelines an extra little bit of padding by tacking on a few more days or weeks to the planned completion timeline. Things may still end up a little outside of that window, but you’ll feel a little better knowing you accounted for it.
Know when to call in the pros - don’t wait, best to start off on the right foot!
While it’s admirable to want to complete the project entirely on your own, unless you’re a seasoned contractor, there will inevitably be times when you’ll need an extra hand or the guidance of someone more experienced. If you’ve never attempted any sort of large renovation or decorating project, it’s best to hire a general contractor or interior designer to help you sort out the big and small details.
While it can also be tempting to go with the lowest bid to save money on labor to reduce overall total cost, that's not always the best option! Check reviews online; ask for references; get at least 3 quotes to compare together. Make sure the contractor’s portfolio of work and experience match what’s needed for your project, and will provide a finished result that matches your desired aesthetics. When you find the right match, you can feel comfortable and confident that your project will be completed to code!
Ask lots of questions. It’s important that you make sure that you thoroughly understand the scope of the project you’re about to undertake. Most average homeowners aren’t experienced in reading blueprints and plans, so don’t be shy, ask for clarification. Many interior designers or contractors can offer guidance or additional mockups. It can also be helpful to utilize painters tape or a pencil and tape measure to draw things out on the floor or the wall to help visualize their actual placement.
Be proactive, and make as many decisions as possible before you start the project.
From sourcing materials to choosing fixtures and paint colors or wallpapers, there are hundreds of minutia that need to be ironed out for any renovation. It’s best that you hold off breaking ground or walls until you have all the final details settled. Narrowing in on your ultimate choices from the start will save you lots of time, money, and aggravation down the line. Of course, delays in delivery or production may happen, but they’ll be few and far between if no one is halting a build so you can select the right shade and shape of tile! You’ll save money on do-overs, express shipping fees, or paying too high a price because you’re purchasing retail instead of wholesale. Naturally, some projects may evolve and change as things move forward, but do your best to avoid making too many adjustments or changes along the way.
Don’t cut corners to save time or money by being your own contractor. While some projects may be within your scope of capabilities, trying to play contractor when you shouldn’t may cost you a lot more than just dollars. General Contractors and builders have cultivated relationships with other industry professionals, allowing them a wide network of trustworthy partnerships. Not only will they steer you in the right direction of professionals who can get the job done right, they’ll also have access to materials, sources, and equipment that would be too costly for the average homeowner to access on their own.It’s also better to have things done right the first time, than paying costly fees to have a professional fix your novice errors. A contractor’s lengthy experience and portfolio will ensure all the items are built to code for safety and durability.
Patience is a virtue, so remember to slow your roll! Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it burned in one! After renovations start, things finally start to feel real and get very exciting, but you mustn’t let the adrenaline get the best of you. Working on projects piece-meal may seem satisfying at first, feeding the dopamine with all that “new new new”, but eventually the overwhelm will sit in! It’s best to take the slow and steady route and work on just one room at a time. Completing each project in its turn will save you time, money, and heartache in the long run!
What are some helpful tips you wish you'd known before your home renovation projects started? Let us know in a comment!
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