It can be tempting to skip ahead to the fun part of choosing new paint colors, lighting fixtures, and furnishings when planning a home remodel. However, for any home remodeling project to go well, there are some things to consider before you even begin.
Check out these ten tips to prepare for your upcoming home remodeling project:
1. Determine Your End Goal
Before deciding how extensively to remodel your Raleigh home, you must first determine your ultimate goal for it. Are you remodeling to increase your home’s value, or are you planning on staying here for the foreseeable future? Before you begin, assess the condition of your neighborhood and determine which upgrades will provide a fair return on investment and which will be considered excessive for the area. Having a detailed plan for your future can help you decide how far you want to go with your project.
2. Have a Budget
One of the most crucial aspects of planning for a home remodeling project is establishing a budget and sticking to it. Remember to include a contingency fund for any unforeseen costs — and plan on using it — as well as incidental expenses such as dining out while your kitchen is being remodeled or even staying in a hotel for a night or two. It can be tempting to want the best remodel money can buy, but maybe all you need are some simple improvements that can make your home look and feel more premium.
3. Stick to the Calendar
If you want to remodel your home for a special occasion or holiday, start with the end date and work your way back. To avoid any disappointment, leave a few weeks to a month at the end in case there are any snags along the road.
4. Do Your Homework
Consider talking with friends, relatives, and neighbors who have recently remodeled their homes and ask them about the problems they encountered along the way. Seeking answers from people who have been in your shoes can help you a great deal during the planning phase.
5. Know Your Limits
DIY home remodeling projects can be a great way to cut costs, but they can also fail very easily (and end up being more expensive) if you have no idea what you are doing. Know what you can do and what should be left to the professional Raleigh general contractors — these may include any tasks that involve handling a possibly load-bearing wall, asbestos, or lead paint.
6. Request References
Before a professional home remodel begins, any qualified general contractor in Wake County, NC, will gladly provide references and liability insurance documents. Instead of relying entirely on client testimonials, look for actual customers who can provide you with a personal account and answer any questions you may have. Don’t forget to ask the contractor to see before and after pictures of some of their previous work.
Related Blog: What to Ask a Potential Custom Home Builder?
7. Think About Your Routine
If you are a seasoned DIYer, you are probably used to working around the inconveniences of a home remodeling project. However, if you have engaged a general contractor for any aspect of the job, be explicit about your daily routine and work with the contractor to establish start and end times that cause the least inconvenience in your day.
8. Protect the Kids and Pets
A home remodel is an excellent opportunity to get the kids interested in DIY, but it can also be risky for very young children. Be sure to install baby gates and outlet plug covers and keep sharp objects out of reach of curious toddlers, especially during off-hours when nobody is monitoring the remodel zone. The temporary chaos of a home remodeling project could be stressful for your four-legged family members. Think about the safety and care of your pet when remodeling your home — this may entail having someone pet-sit them for a few hours (or even a day or two.) This is important as the doors will usually be left open to let supplies in and out of the room.
9. Secure All Necessary Permits
Many homeowners see acquiring a building permit as an inconvenience that will slow down the home remodeling process. However, permits are a vital part of the process and will come back to haunt you if you have not secured them in the first place. Building permits verify that your home remodel fulfills structural and fire safety regulations. Code inspectors can actually order you to rip out any upgrade if it is not up to code. This can be a costly issue if you decide to sell your house in the future. It is always a good idea to plan ahead of time and make sure you secure all permits.
10. Ask for Help
If you know a home remodel is in the works, it is time to call in your handy friends and family. Allow them plenty of time to consult their calendars and send out timely reminders as the project draws near. If you hire a general contractor, make sure you give them enough lead time to meet your deadline — or you could be forced to wait on them.
Your Dream Home is Just a Phone Call Away!
Glasgow Design Build is a licensed general contracting firm based in Raleigh, NC. From single room remodels to building a porch or deck, we are the ones you need to handle all your home renovations in Raleigh, NC. We would be happy to visit your home, discuss your remodeling needs, and provide you with an estimated cost. Feel free to call (919) 228-9107 or fill out an online form to schedule an appointment.