What to Do Before You Begin a Home Renovation

Renovating a house is a big job, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. To ensure success, you will need to conduct plenty of research and planning. All of this effort will be worth it in the end when you have created the home of your dreams. Or maybe you are planning to sell the property; in that case, the renovation will likely add value.

But there are key steps to complete before you begin this project. This post has compiled three of the vital tips to follow that will simplify the renovation process.

Define Your Vision

Your vision will provide a roadmap for the entire renovation project, and this is why you must prioritize this step. A clear vision helps you determine the core purpose of your renovation, whether that is enhancing functionality for your growing family or increasing the property value before you sell. Whatever the reason, defining your vision ensures the final space is a property you will use effectively.

Every single choice you make, from materials to major layout changes, can be compared to your initial goals with a defined vision. You are less likely to experience “decision scatter,” which refers to prolonged and uncoordinated decision-making during the project. It will also be easier to maintain a cohesive look and feel throughout the renovations this way.

The first step in defining your vision is reflecting on your lifestyle and needs. Your motivation for the renovation must be understood as well as how the space is currently used. Once you have identified the why, you can then begin differentiating between the must-have changes and the nice-to-haves. With these details, a vision board can be created.

Create a Budget and Timeline

With your vision defined, you will need to plan out your budget and timeline. A detailed budget is necessary to establish clear spending limits and help you track actual costs against planned expenses in real-time. The timeline, on the other hand, will contain realistic deadlines and identify milestones, ensuring the project stays on track and minimize downtime.

Gathering detailed estimates for every aspect of the project is essential. This will include items like cabinets, fixtures, flooring, and paint. You should compare the prices from different suppliers and look out for sales that can save money. It is important to allocate a contingency fund of 10-20% during this stage, just in case unexpected expenses arise.

The timeline can tricky, too. Instead of focusing on the entire project, it should be broken into smaller, more manageable tasks. Demolition will occur before structural work, for instance, and plumbing should be fixed before plastering. Each task can be given an estimate of how long it’ll take, and buffers must be built in to offer flexibility. 

Think About Your Accommodation

As many renovations will cause the home to be uninhabitable, temporary accommodation will be needed. Sorting this out in advance allows you to focus your energy on the renovation itself and secure a short-term property more easily. Your renovation can begin on time, too, instead of dealing with delays because you have nowhere to go. 

If your renovation looks like it will take a few months or more, then you must find temporary housing that will keep you and/or your family comfortable. There are furnished apartments for rent in Toronto, Canada, for example, that are suitable for individuals whose homes are currently undergoing renovations. Similar properties can be found in other locations, too.

These types of properties can feel like a home from home for many. They offer housing with fully equipped kitchens as well as washers and dryers. Your family can make the most of their time through the other inclusions, such as internet access and streaming TV access. 

To conclude, renovating your home does not need to be an impossible challenge. As discussed in this post, the right planning can ensure the process runs smoothly.