Things to Know Before Starting Your Home Renovation

Renovating your house is a dream come true for most. However, a lot of people do not know where to start. Well, you are not alone. Many homeowners dive into the renovation process with no clue of what to expect. Exhibit A: what is a commercial excavation contractor? And they regret not having a plan after a few mishaps. Without preparation, the home renovation process can be full of disappointments, and there can be unforeseen expenses and issues with a blank slate. So, before you go down the twists and turns of the renovation path, here are a few things you should know.

Think Ahead

Before construction starts, try to plan for the future rather than just your needs now. Consider how you can make sure your property accommodates your own changing needs or evolves as your family may grow. For example, an open plan layout may be suitable for keeping an eye on younger kids, but what happens when it needs to be adapted for more privacy?

Get Quotes From Local Contractors

Homeowners often underestimate the cost of updates, so it is essential to get a written estimate. A quote is a promise from the contractor to do the work at a fixed price. Don’t rely on a verbal quote – get it in writing. Try to look at three different contractors before deciding, and comparing the quotes will help you determine if you are getting a fair price. Be clear about the work you want to do; this will help you get the most accurate price and prevent misunderstandings later.

Budgeting

Since you want to renovate your house economically, you need to decide the total expenditure requirements/limit. In budgeting, it is essential to remember that you cannot overestimate your budget; keep your budget underestimated, and then move on to researching things you need. Furthermore, make sure you consider your lifestyle while the renovations are going on. For example, how are you going to take care of yourself and your family? Do you need to consider other accommodations?

The best way to budget is to create a spreadsheet listing everything you want to do to the house. Make sure you document everything from fitting a new kitchen to re-plastering. Then get quotes on labour and materials and fill in the columns – this will give you a good idea of how much the whole project will cost.

Check if You Need Permission or Approval 

You may have to get more than one kind of permission before you go ahead with work on your home. Always check if you need building regulations approval, you may need to do this for minor improvements like replacing windows or doors. You may also need planning permission; this is used to build something big like an extension. You may also need to hire a surveyor or architect to help you apply for building regulations approval or planning permission. 

Consider Going Green 

We all know there is no Planet B, so we should try and take care of the environment when we can. Why not do this for your home. If you are changing your heating or lighting system, take the opportunity to install innovative technology. These are intelligent systems that you can control remotely from a computer or mobile phone. Some can even adapt and react to how you use them. Maybe even consider installing solar panels!

Write a Schedule 

It is essential to have a clear vision of what you need to do. So put together a list and a schedule of the jobs in order of priority. For example, you need to make sure you are done rewiring before you plaster the walls. Addressing major structural issues like rotten rafters and damp issues – should be top of the list. And the house needs to be watertight before you focus on any internal work. 

Brief Your Neighbors

Living next door to a building site is no picnic – so get your neighbors on side by being considerate and transparent. Furthermore, if you need to apply for planning permission, getting your neighbors on board is essential as they can make or break your application. 

Beginning a renovation may seem harsh with many contributing factors to consider; these are only a few tips. Still, it is essential to do your research and put in a lot of consideration for what you want. Additionally, You might have planned your budget right down to the penny, but sometimes life throws unexpected curve balls. Therefore, with any project, you want to add a budget cushion if you encounter an unexpected expense.