Do you know that you want to remodel your home but aren’t sure where to begin? You’re not the only one. Many homeowners start planning their home renovations without knowing what to expect. Only after they have experienced a few mishaps during renovations do they realize how much they didn’t plan. The home renovation process can be frustrating without planning. Unlike building a new home, you don’t start with a blank canvas. The process can become complicated due to unexpected expenses or issues. Before you start to navigate the maze of renovations, here are seven things that you need to know.
- Invest in a Key Lockbox
A key lockbox is a great investment if you are renovating your home and plan to move out. If you have a lot of projects that you are unable to do by yourself, you will need to hire a contractor. Contractors start early so don’t drive in rush hour traffic to allow workers to enter your home. Instead, attach a lockbox to your door or install smart hardware that allows guests to access the house with a code. This can save you hours, fuel and painstaking early morning wake-up calls.
- Spend time in the Space
It is important to delay making decisions about paint colors, carpets, or light fixtures until you have spent time in the room you are renovating. If you are looking to replace old carpet, there can be a lot of choices. Are they made of loose or dense fibers? Are you looking for a pattern or a striation? Which shade of gray is best? These answers will depend on other aspects of renovations, such as choosing paint colors.
Even if you choose paint colors before house renovations in auckland begin, it is still important to see them on walls. As you move around the house, your choices about color may change. Newly painted walls or carpeting can show that the existing light fixtures are not lighting up as well as they should.
If you spend a little more time before painting and recarpeting to consider how everything works together in the room you’re remodeling, you can save several back-to-the-drawing-board moments.
- Be realistic about your time
Renovations will take longer than you expected. Be prepared and make adjustments to avoid disappointment. You might believe that replacing a whirlpool bathtub and a double vanity in the bathroom is easy. While removing the old fixtures may only take a few minutes, it can take several weeks to locate a tub or vanity that you love. They may take up to two more weeks to arrive. A six-week wait period can occur if you expect to use your hall bath in a week. You should be realistic about the timeline and renovations. Before you remove any existing materials, make sure to select the best updates.
- Expect the unexpected
Every home holds secrets, whether they are in the walls or under the floors. These secrets can be revealed through renovation.
Your contractor might tell you that your floors are uneven because of a shifting center joist when measuring for your new hardwood floors. The home inspector missed it so you will need to get the floor joist fixed before you can install the new flooring. This is one example of an unanticipated event. You should plan for extra time and add money to your renovation budget in order to cover for unexpected mishaps.
- Interview multiple contractors
It is worth speaking with multiple contractors to compare their bids. Let’s say you need your water heater taken out of an upstairs closet. A new one should be installed in your garage. You may get a quote from the first plumber that you call. He might charge $6,000 to reroute hot water lines and cut into your living room ceiling tray ceiling. It may be too much work for the second plumber. Three plumbers plan to complete the job in one day, charge $3,285 and have no need for water line rerouting.
Interviewing multiple contractors is a good way to avoid paying too much and not getting the results you desire. Before making a decision, it is worth doing your research and speaking to multiple experts.
- Renovate Your Kitchen First
Many homeowners want to know the best order in which to renovate their house. Start with the kitchen, as these renovations can add substantial value to your home. According to the 2022 National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s remodeling impact report, Realtors believe that homeowners can recover 75% of the costs of a complete kitchen remodel if they sell their house. You can also upgrade an old kitchen to make it more comfortable while you are at home.
Practically speaking, the kitchen remodel should be done first. This is because it will produce the most debris and dust, which can cause damage to paint and other finish jobs. You can isolate any debris from demolition by covering doors and pass-throughs with plastic. A kitchen remodel can take several months. You’ll need to put up temporary kitchens in the family room, dining room and other areas.
- Design ideas should be specific
Before meeting with an interior designer, narrow down your design preferences. You can find inspiration by browsing interior decorating magazines, websites and television shows. You will avoid being influenced by a designer’s ideas and vision for your renovation.
Keep your designer within your budget. Do not allow your designer to buy expensive materials and then charge you later. Your costs will stay low if you stick to a timeframe.
