Home renovation projects can be very exciting, but equally overwhelming. Whether you’re planning to remodel your entire home or just revamp a specific room, having a comprehensive plan is the most important step to set your project up for success. Read on as we share the essential steps to help you get started. If you’re currently thinking about a project in your home, grab a pen and a piece of paper to answer these questions as you read along!
What Are Your Goals?
The first step in any home improvement project is to clearly define your goals. What is the desired result of your project? Do you want to increase the functionality of a specific room? Do you plan on adding additional square footage? Are you looking to enhance the overall aesthetics of your home? Having well-defined goals for your project will be invaluable to help guide you through all of the twists and turns of the planning process.
What’s Your Inspiration?
Chances are that you already have an idea of what you want your renovated space to look like. Take your vision and browse the internet to look for styles, color schemes, and layouts that match it. Gather pictures, swatches, and articles that resonate with you and compile them together along with your personal notes. This compilation will serve as the main point of reference in making your dream a reality.
What Are Your Limitations?
Is there anything that could limit the feasibility of your project? Knowing what you’re not willing to do is arguably more important than the goals themselves. What’s most important to you? Are you prioritizing speed and cost to get “close enough” to your goal, or is your priority to achieve your goal regardless of the time and money spent? Other common limitations include rules of your building or HOA, local building codes, and constraints of the space being remodeled.
What’s Your Budget, and is it Realistic?
Your goals have been set and you’ve established what you are and aren’t willing to do during the remodeling process, now you have to set a realistic budget. It’s no secret that renovations can be very costly, and the costs can quickly spiral out of control without setting a budget before you begin. Do your research on the typical costs associated with your project and be sure to account for potential budget overruns. Once you’ve established your budget, ask yourself if the cost of your project matches what you’re willing to pay. Also consider how will you be paying for your project – Will you be paying with money-in-the-bank, or will you be exploring financing options?
Who’s Going to Make This a Reality?
Hiring professionals to assist with your home improvement project is always highly recommended. Using professionals will increase the odds of your project being produced both on schedule and on budget. Different projects will require different specialists, and in the case of kitchens, bathrooms, and finished basements, your project will require multiple specialized tradespeople to bring your dream to fruition. Do your due diligence and hire a contractor that you can trust to do the job right.
Planning your renovation is important work. By taking the time to think about and answer these questions, you’ll be setting yourself up for a successful project!
