How to Plan for a Major Home Renovation
Making changes to your home requires a lot of planning and forethought to be completed smoothly. Everything from the contractor to the materials used should be considered before you commit to the changes. These tips will help you decide how to move forward with your plans to update your house.
The First Steps
Evaluating your home and which areas need to be renovated is the first step in the process. A visual inspection of the home can tell you the basics, such as whether you need new cabinets, but in some cases calling in a professional can be the best way to decide which areas needs to be changed. For instance, a plumber can tell you about the condition of your pipes, while an interior designer can tell you whether you need to change the basic styles in your home. Most renovations are to improve the value of the home, and these professionals are your personal insight into what needs to be changed to raise the value of your home the most.
Getting an estimate on the repairs and renovations that you need is also important. You will want to make sure that the estimate includes materials, labor and the costs of moving the old materials from your home. According to ConsumerReports.Org, the average cost of renovation should be less than five to ten percent of your home’s resell value for each room that you want to update for the project worthwhile. You can check the guide for how much each aspect of the renovation should cost at http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/03/bathroom-remodeling-guide-trends-and-costs/index.htm to see how much you should spend on your home repairs.
Choosing Materials and Remodeling Projects
One of the first things that you will do when renovating your home is choose materials. In a family home, durable, long-lasting materials are the ideal choice. You will want to look at the care instructions for each material that you decide to use, including the paint and finishes on your walls and cabinets. For example, high gloss paint is the best option in homes with children because this type of finish can be washed many times without showing wear and tear.
If you want to sell your home, your remodeling projects should be focused on appealing to buyers. Some of the best things to change before putting your home on the market include the kitchen, bathroom, heating and cooling systems, and the lighting in your home. Even something as simple as a new dishwasher can influence buyers to make the purchase. New paint is also a good option when remodeling on a budget because the fresh colors can make your home seem inviting and fresh to potential buyers. In general, rooms that are used often will need to be both functional and beautiful to increase the resell value of your home.
The Big Stuff
When renovating your home, some projects are longer and more intensive than others. For instance, switching from carpet to hardwood flooring is a major project that make take a week or more to complete. Hardwood flooring is now a trend in home decor that is both durable and value enhancing, however. You can also opt for hardwood in the shared living areas if you want to reduce the costs of the project. Bedroom carpeting is very often the standard for most homes. Other large projects, such as total home renovation, should be carefully planned before beginning to make sure the value of the home after the remodeling is worth the time and costs of the project.
Completing one room at a time is the simplest and most effective way to completely renovate a home. Make sure that you have resources to use while areas such as the kitchen and bathroom are being remodeled. For example, you may need to move some cooking appliances or the refrigerator to the dining room while the kitchen is being remodeled for convenience. With the right planning, your home renovation can be smooth and streamlined.
Article is courtesy of Robert O’Sullivan who is the owner of Ranch Roofing, offering services in the following Massachusetts cities and towns:
In the coming year, the majority of the wealthiest ten-percent of American households are not likely to increase their spending for home durables, which include home furniture/furnishings, major home appliances, home computer equipment, and home entertainment equipment.