man draws home remodeling project with pencil

You want to start your home remodel project but you don’t really know how to be prepared for it. There are certain do’s and don’ts of pre-home remodeling that people typically don’t figure out. As a result, they face unprecedented troubles with their budgeting, contractors, and mismanagement on personal and professional level. In order to get a successful home remodel project done, we have prepared a list of 10 important suggestions that you need to do before rolling out the home remodeling.

1. Define the Scope and Budget of the Project

First things first, you need to know what is the extent of your home remodel project, is it kitchen remodelling or bath remodel, or does it involve both, with gardening and other interior remodeling of your home. Next research the cost of the material required, labor, and permits to acquire.

Now allocate a budget to each category of the remodeling project, like aesthetics, plumbing and rewiring costs. Have a contingency plan by keeping extra bucks in case of miscalculation. It will never shock you when you need to bust the budget a little.

home remodeling project in Sterling VA

2. Always Define your Remodeling Goals

If you are remodeling your kitchen you should always know what you want. Do you want to make your kitchen look creative aesthetic or you want to add extra functionalities also along with look and ambiance. Some people want their kitchen to have an extension of a play area for kids while their mother cooks for them. On the other hand, some may just want to give a luxurious look to their kitchen to have an exotic experience at home. Be it any of the goals or both, they must be categorically defined so they can be materialized.

3. Spend More Time in the Space you are Remodeling

So there are certain things like paint colors, light fixtures, or carpeting that you cannot decide about while you are renovating, because after some time after renovation it is possible that you may not enjoy the colors you chose in a rush. Therefore, it is important to spend more time in the that space. It will help you to decide and let you think clearly as to what combination of painting may relieve your eyes. It is also possible your lighting does not create a good contrast with the paint. But if you spend some extra in the space observing the contrast you will end up making better choices for your home remodel project.

4. Setup a Realistic Timeline

So the time you allocated for each work in the project may take longer than you planned. You might think that removing the old countertop in the kitchen will take a few hours, but in reality it takes 4 days. You are right, removing it is easy but arranging the material and then supplying it may take longer. That is why you should always purchase material in advance to avoid potential delays, and also the timeline you set must be considerate of unforeseen problems.

home contractors working on remodeling projects

5. Contact with many Contractors

Before getting started with a home renovation project, be in contact with many contractors. Ask them for realistic costs of your home remodel project in detail. Try to analyze the costs with a critical eye. Try to find a cost effective quotation that should be able to address your defined goals for remodeling. You must work closely with the contractors to renovate your home, constant interaction is the key to great redesigning results.

6. Have a Clear Mind on Design Concept

You may have an abundance of interior design concepts but you need to narrow down your ideas before meeting the home design expert. You can get inspiration from various interior design sources like popular home remodeling blogs, magazines, and interior design stores that showcase their design ideas with creativity. The designer may also have a list of projects that may be helpful in finalising your home remodeling idea.

7. Order Material Prior to the Project

You must always buy your material for the home remodel project before you get the projects started. There are certain home renovation projects that may take months, so ordering them before the project will save you extra time. Some parts of projects like plumbing, wiring, lighting may take more lead time. The cosmetic work cannot be started before the foundational work is finished.

8. Have a Key for the Contractor

Since you might be a working person not having time to stay at home for your remodel work. Some people are not ready to let the workers into their home without their own presence, but it can become a troublesome scenario. You can check your contractor’s insurance and their reputation to make sure they will not create trouble. Typically you cannot force a contractor to work during your off time because they may have other commitments and may not work in your desired capacity. Therefore, insured and reputable companies are worth your trust.

contractors works on home remodeling project

9. Be Ready for Delays and Gaps

It is not possible for contractors to work on your projects all day long everyday. They would rather set certain days and time spans in which they will be doing their work. You cannot force them to finish your work first and then move on. Be patient when there are delays, and gaps in the work. It is all part of the game. The normal the pace the better the home remodel project results will be.

10. What Time of the Year

Your renovation project at home should be planned according to the weather. For kitchen renovation, you can plan any month but for the outer part, like the deck or the garden you must consider the weather. Normally it is suggested that you plan it during the warm months of spring. This will make sure your project is not delayed by cold weather. Winter can also bring more rains which will not allow your garden to be constructed.

To conclude, whether you are getting kitchen or bathroom remodeling done, or the outer part of your house, you need proper planning before starting the home remodel projects. Setting redesign goals and laying out a realistic budget is the most important part. In addition, your focus on timeline aspects, contractor interaction, making proper planning to avoid disturbance at job is also the key. Therefore, it is compulsory to consider important aspects of pre pre-home remodeling projects to get the desired outcome.

FAQs

You can find answers to frequently asked questions about the home renovation project further down the page.

What is the correct order to renovate a house?

The correct order to renovate a house starts with planning and budgeting, including assessing needs, setting a budget, and getting permits. Next is structuring of plumbing and wiring, and then the cosmetic renovation.

Is $20,000 enough to remodel a house?

Yes $20000 is enough to remodel a house if you do not plan for complete remodel which will include DIY or many easy remodeling tasks.

How do I plan a home remodeling project?

To plan home remodeling, define goals, set a budget, research contractors and companies for design and cost, hire a professional, get the permits, and create a complete time of project with the contractor for the project.

What is the 30% rule for renovations?

It means that the home remodel project’s cost should be 30% of your home’s current value.

Where do I start if I want to remodel my house?

Start by planning your project, setting a realistic budget, and identifying your needs and desired outcomes

Which rooms to renovate first?

You must start with the kitchen and bathroom because places require most functionality at home.