Making the decision to remodel your home is an exciting one, but the slew of decisions you will soon be faced with can be off-putting. Regardless of whether the remodel you have in mind is minor or major in nature, there are still many issues that can cause headaches, frustration, and much more during the process. Learn everything there is to know about planning a home remodel, ranging from the price to what factors to consider, in order to have a successful project.
How Long Does Remodeling a Home Take?
As you start the process of planning the remodel of your home, the first factor you need to take into account is timing. While there will be professionals handling the tasks associated with the remodel, they will be in your home constantly and you will likely be displaced for a good portion of the remodel. The length of your actual remodel will likely be somewhere between four months to a year, dependent upon the work that is being performed.
However, most remodeling contracts have a lead time of three to four months in addition to this. A lead time refers to the day you sign the contract until the first workers show up to start. This means that the true start to finish of your remodel could get well close to a year and half in length, going to show just how important proper planning is.
How Expensive Will Remodeling a Home Be?
Understanding that the remodel project you have in mind may take a serious amount of time is only the first factor. The second major factor that must be considered is how expensive the home remodel job will actually be. The average cost to renovate a home hovers between $15,000-$200,000 dependent upon what is being installed and taken care of. Certain tasks such as replacing the walls, retiling a roof, reworking the plumbing, or purchasing and hooking up new appliances may be the cause of this larger cost.
Naturally, this is no small sum of money, which means anybody hoping to tackle a home renovation project needs to take the time to set money aside. There are financing options that exist for remodeling a home, but most homeowners don’t wish to take on additional debt.
7 Ways to Have a Successful Home Renovation
In the modern day, home improvement marketing advertises a renovation project as a fun and carefree task all homeowners can handle. While a renovation or remodel job is certainly fun, it is anything but carefree. There are a number of primary considerations all homeowners should keep in mind in order to have a successful project:
Start with an initial plan
Before hiring any contractors and purchasing any materials, you need to create an initial plan for what you are hoping to get out of the project. Be as specific as possible in this initial plan, as it is what will be used to create the budget you stick to at a later time. Outline the rooms you would like to focus on, what needs to be done, and what materials will be needed.
Set a budget and stick to it
Using the initial plan, you created in the first step, your next to-do item must be creating a budget that you can stick to. Take the materials and tasks that you outlined previously and get quotes from contractors so you can create a budget estimate for each task. Do this for every item so that you can get to an estimated total cost, which will allow you to properly set enough money aside for your project.
Do research before ever breaking ground
Third, all homeowners need to do proper research before getting the ball actually rolling on the home renovation project. Go out to stores yourself and see prices for materials such as countertops, tile, appliances, and more. Compare different contractors and look at their reviews to see if they work on one project or bounce constantly between multiple.
Do your own demolition work
Once you have done enough prep work and are ready to begin your actual project, consider doing safe demolition work yourself. Whether it’s taking down approved walls, removing appliances, or general demolition tasks, you can save a large amount of money by tackling this first part of the project yourself.
Don’t neglect natural lighting in your home
Once your project actually gets going and the contractor begins working on the plan you have created together, don’t forget about the smaller aspects of a remodel. Lighting, as an example, is extremely important in a home and can even affect the moods of people within. Therefore, ensure there is amply natural lighting in your home by opting for larger windows and a more open floorplan.
Think about how your intended floor plan will work
On the topic of floorplans, creating a plan on paper is one thing, but seeing it is something completely different. Walk through a built floorplan that is similar to the one you are creating so that you can get a feel for it prior to it being constructed in your own home.
Consider taking a staycation at a nearby location
Finally, with all the workers constantly coming in and out of your home, choosing to have a staycation at a nearby motel or hotel may be best. While it’s possible to stay at home, there will be equipment and tools around sometimes which may become annoying and may result in you becoming fed up with your project. To avoid this, considering staying elsewhere until it’s safe to move in.
Build your dream home from the ground up today
No two dream homes will look exactly the same which is why remodeling your home from scratch is so exciting. When you purchase a pre-built home, you undoubtedly love the amenities but there are sure to be items and designs in the home that you wouldn’t have chosen if you designed it. Remodeling your home gives you this flexibility, which is why many homeowners choose to undertake the massive project. Use all of the above types and keep your overall budget in mind so that you can have a successful home remodel and renovation.
