Sure, Pinterest and HGTV are amazing sources of inspiration, but if you want to have a successful home renovation, you should concentrate on detailed planning, scheduling and budgeting. These will ensure you have a beautiful, cost-effective and livable space as a result of your efforts. So, here are some rules to follow if you want to have a smooth and stress-free reno.
1. Don’t wing it
The first and most important tip towards a good home renovation is forward planning. When you’re preparing to spend thousands of dollars, make sure you plan before you grab a hammer and take it to your walls. If you don’t plan in advance, you risk subpar results with things needing to be redone. This will cost you more money, time and nerves. So, take your time to come up with a good design that’s aesthetically pleasing, comfortable and practical.
2. Design a good floor plan
The meaning of the words “good floor plan” is very subjective, but things like lighting, ventilation and room-to-room flow should always be considered before moving to actual renovations. You should also take into consideration your furniture scale and style. Have a little walk-through and note down how you use your space and move through it. In case you’re changing elements like windows, doors and walls, ensure you have enough space for furniture and a clear path through the space.
3. Be smart with budgeting
If you’re good with money, make sure to use those talents and create a good budgeting plan. But for big renovations with many moving parts, it’s always better to consult reliable quantity surveyors to help you with your budget. Experts know exactly how big of a price to expect per square meter of your renovation and will include everything from the demolition to the finishing details. If you’re renovating an investment property, a registered quantity surveyor can also help you maximize depreciation deductions and save you some money.
4. Stick to your schedule
If you want a smooth and successful renovation process, you need a good schedule to stick to. Without that, the whole process can turn sour at any moment: tradespeople will overlap, jobs will stretch out and costs will grow. So, make sure to schedule a list of things that need to be taken care of and put them in order. Additionally, it’s always smart to break your house renovation project into smaller phases like kitchen renovations, bathroom addition, attic conversion and such. Have separate schedules for each phase and you’ll always know where you stand with time and money. It might seem like a lot of planning and scheduling, but it will be worth it.
5. Get permits
Many homeowners choose to skip permits to save money but end up regretting that decision very quickly. If you have new elements and additions that need to be up to code, you might need to tear them out, acquire a permit and start your project from scratch. So, make sure to check with your local governmental agency and make everything legal. If you check with authorities, you might see that many of the renovations don’t even require a planning approval at all (things like internal improvements that don’t change the external look of the property as well as small extensions) but it’s always good to be familiar with the law.
6. Specify everything
No matter how experienced your contractors are, you just can’t assume they will automatically know exactly what you want unless you specify it explicitly. Even the smallest details are worth writing down. No, it will not make you seem like a crazy person. The more detail you include, the easier time your contractor will have with your renovation. It might seem logical for you to use gray grout with white metro tiles to create a nice contrast, but white grout is standard and your contractor will use it unless specified differently. There will be fewer mistakes with more detailed specs and fewer disputes over what is and what isn’t included in the quote.
7. Pay attention to details
You might think that power outlet and electrical switch positions don’t matter that much, but when they are installed in the wrong spot, you’ll realize that they are the key to functionality. Additionally, make sure you have enough of these fixtures to have a comfortable life in your new home. So, set some time aside to look around the space and try living in it for a few hours. This will allow you to see how the space is used, where you enter and exit and where you spend most of the time (this is especially important when you’re planning an open-plan space). Even details as small as light switches can have an effect on your final product.
Remodeling is one of the most exciting things you can do as a homeowner, but it’s also quite frustrating. No matter how much you plan and schedule, you will probably come across a few unexpected bumps. However, with good planning and budgeting, you will know how to handle roadblocks, get them out of your way and have a successful renovation.
