Home renovations are something that you want to plan and prep for carefully because regardless of the size, it can be both a costly and time-consuming process.
From the budgeting of the project to the completion, it’s essential that every step is well-prepared.
A home renovation project involves a number of steps and with this guide, you’re sure to complete the home renovation to your needs and requirements. Here’s an ultimate guide to home renovations from budgeting to completion.
Start With Your Ideas
First and foremost, you want to think about the ideas you have for the renovation. Perhaps it’s a flexible renovation where you could create a new space instead of what it’s used for currently. Or maybe you’d like to expand the room to make it more functional, perhaps for your kitchen for example?
When you’re moving forward with a home renovation project, you should look at the ideas you have and how this might be possible with the funds you have available. Some ideas may be possible, whereas others may not be possible due to budget restrictions or the layout of the property.
Put forward a few ideas before you settle on the final one. You should also run this by your household and anyone you trust for guidance and advice.
Budget for Your Home Renovation
Budgeting is another important step when figuring out what the entirety of the renovation is going to involve. Not everyone has deep pockets to budget for a home renovation of a large size. Some might not be able to do everything with the renovation but may be able to do it on a smaller scale or to a more budget-friendly level.
Make sure you’ve budgeted carefully for your home renovation. Some are going to be more affordable than others, and don’t forget to overestimate your costs so you don’t have any nasty surprises financially.
Find Financing Where Possible
A home renovation can cost a lot of money and it’s not always money that’s readily available. Fortunately, you’ll find that there are many people and organizations out there who are willing to lend, it’s just some are going to be more financially beneficial than others when it comes to high interest rates on what you pay back.
Consider financing where possible but make sure you have some savings to go towards the renovations. While it might be handy to take out a loan, you don’t want to plunge yourself into too much debt over a renovation project.
There are a number of financing options available so make sure to explore these before you kickstart the project. The last thing you want is to be in a position where you can’t finish the project due to a lack of funds.
Carry Out Planning and Surveys
Planning and surveys are important to the process because some home renovations might require you to get these permissions before proceeding. It’s good to be mindful of these so that you aren’t delving into projects and spending money when it could be taken away from you.
If you decide to go ahead with the work without the permissions, then there’s a chance that the governing bodies will demand it be taken down. This could cost you a lot of the money you’ve spent, meaning your money goes to waste.
It’s therefore important to carry out any and all planning and surveys required. Following it all by the letter will ensure you get the approvals needed to do the work in a legitimate manner.
Find the Right Builder
There are lots of builders out there to choose from when it comes to renovating your home. However, you don’t want to choose just any builder. It’s important that the builder you choose is one you trust with the project and has a good reputation for doing the work.
Finding builders who align with your needs, style, and personality is also crucial. You shouldn’t just choose anyone! With that in mind, look at custom home builders to see what they could bring to the table. Hiring experts in the field of renovation when it comes to builders will ensure the results you get, go above and beyond what you hoped.
When picking a builder, it’s always a good idea to look at the builder’s testimonials from clients past and present. This should give you a good idea of how trustworthy they are and whether they’re best for your home renovation project.
Plan a Timeline and Factor in Delays
Timelines are important to plan because there will likely be problems and delays that crop up along the way. Be mindful of the timeline you have set because this is going to be helpful to understand what time you need and to ensure there’s some wiggle room in parts for any delays that may occur.
Ensure this timeline is communicated across the whole team responsible for working on your home renovations. When everyone is on the same page, everything is likely to go to plan and not astray.
Think about every step when it comes to planning and setting out a timeline. It’s good to be realistic with it, rather than to hope you achieve completion at a point in which it’s too soon.
Carry Out a Snagging Survey
Finally, once all of the work has been done, it’s worth doing a snagging survey. This is the point where you go around the renovation work that has been done, depending on how many rooms have been renovated, and check for any faults or alterations required.
Within reason, this will be completed by the builders and decorators. This may be done for free or at a minimal cost. A snagging list is useful because it ensures everything is done properly and you’re satisfied with the work done.
Home renovations should be carefully thought out and planned out, so use these tips to make sure that your project goes smoothly no matter how big or small it may be.
