Whether you want to make more space for your growing family or want to modernize your outdated home, a home renovation is an exciting project. However, it can also feel overwhelming.
Expert reveals the best ways to tackle a home remodel or Kitchen Remodeling Lexington KY and how to successfully prioritize your work.
Start with a Plan
When you start a home remodeling project, it’s important to have a clear plan of attack. You don’t want any surprises to ruin your project and end up costing you money. That’s why you should work with a home remodeler that cares about your house and will make sure that you don’t get caught off guard by any unexpected repairs. To help you avoid these issues, consider prioritizing seven common home repair projects that should be addressed during a remodel.
Know Your Limits
The most important step before you start a remodel is to understand what you can afford. Researching your design ideas before you establish a budget can help you stay grounded and prevent you from getting carried away by the excitement of renovating your home.
Throughout a remodel, unexpected expenses may arise that you didn’t plan on. Skimping on these repairs could cost you in the long run, either through costly health and safety issues or a lower selling price for your home.
Knowing your limits helps you to prioritize these important fixes and save money for other projects. To get a realistic idea of costs, check out remodeling magazines’ annual Cost vs. Value Reports for your region. These reports provide national averages for 36 common remodeling projects.
Set a Budget
When working with a contractor, it’s important to establish a clear understanding of scope and budget from the start. This includes discussing what type of remodel is being completed, as well as a discussion of the homeowner’s financial resources and goals.
This helps ensure that the final product aligns with both the homeowner’s aesthetic preferences and functional needs. It also allows the remodeling team to develop a detailed scope of work and project timeline.
The budgeting process often involves a back-and-forth between the design team and homeowner. This is because the team will want to be sure that the design plans and materials are within the limits of the budget before moving forward with construction.
It’s common for remodeling projects to go over budget due to unforeseen issues. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to build a contingency budget into the estimate. In addition to a contingency budget, the design team will also develop an accurate list of materials and fixtures that will be included in the final remodel. This will help the homeowners have a realistic expectation of what the project will cost and avoid any surprises down the line.
Work With a Contractor
Whether you’re preparing to put your home on the market, or it’s just time for an update, you want to make sure that you’ve done your due diligence. A complete home remodel takes careful planning, setting goals, and enlisting the right team. However, it’s easy to stumble into costly mistakes without the proper guidance.
According to interior designer Claire Zinnecker, some of the biggest remodel missteps stem from selecting an unqualified contractor. She recommends interviewing a minimum of three experts and asking to see previous projects, before hiring anyone. A reputable builder will be transparent, respectful of your home and time, and will deliver results that exceed expectations.
Once you’ve found a reputable builder, clear communication is key to avoiding misunderstandings and unexpected costs. To help prevent this, schedule a pre-construction meeting and decide on how you’ll communicate updates, like through calls or emails, and how you’ll handle project milestones. This will also allow you to discuss any unforeseen expenses, like disposing of renovation debris or material price increases, so that they can be baked into your project budget.
Another way to streamline the process is by working with a design-build firm. This type of company combines the roles of architect, designer, and contractor into one team. This approach eliminates miscommunication between separate teams and makes it easier to address issues that arise throughout the project. It’s also a great way to ensure that you get the most out of your home remodel. For example, a design-build firm can use 3D renderings to show you what your completed remodel will look like, helping to minimize the risk of any surprises. They can even help you select materials that combine durability with visual appeal, like quartz countertops or engineered hardwood.
Make the Most of Your Space
Whether you’re looking to raise your home’s resale value or simply make it more functional for your family, there are several ways to optimize your space. For starters, focus on upgrading rooms that you spend the most time in. This will help ensure your comfort throughout the renovation process.
It’s also important to consider how you’ll use each room after the remodel is complete. This will determine which remodeling tasks are essential and which can wait for later. You might even want to create a “wish list” of items you’d like to tackle, but aren’t necessarily necessary for the function of the space.
Lastly, it’s worth considering storage options to make the most of your space. Getting rid of clutter is key to making any space feel bigger, and it’s also important to think creatively about where you’ll put your belongings. For example, you could install hidden shelves behind a door or utilize ottomans that double as storage for video games and movies.
As you assemble your team of remodeling pros, clear communication will help to keep the project on track and ensure you’re on the same page with your vision for the space. Sharing a virtual walkthrough of your home with the pros you’re vetting can help them understand the layout and scope of your project before they step foot on site. You can also use features like Tags and Notes to highlight areas of concern, call out renovation goals, or flag constraints — making it easier for everyone to align on scope and expectations.