While you will need to put in some effort, there are several stress-free ways to renovate your home. Even if you’re on a tight budget, you should be able to complete a couple of them. Here are a few tips and tricks for homeowners to help them have a smooth remodel.
How To Find Your Renovation Team
Finding a great team is the very first thing to do. It is tempting to hire the least expensive contractor. but be cautious and do your homework on the people you hire. Ask to speak with past clients and check out some of your contractor’s past work. If you hire the best contractor, it sometimes means you may have to cut back on something else to make your budget work. Just remember the money will be well spent. If you find a contractor with the experience and expertise to complete your renovation safely and correctly and has an excellent reputation you will be very happy with your finished renovation.
Look At The Cost Vs. Value Report Before You Set Your Renovation BudgetÂ
The cost vs. value report aims to answer a specific question: What value does a particular remodeling project add to the sale price of a home? This is only one kind of value that these projects can provide, but it proves to be an important assessment. Determine your budget before your work begins – do this before even contacting professionals. The cost vs. value report is a free resource that clients find to be helpful when they are considering a renovation. It is important to consider everything you need and want to include in your final project. Changes mid-project will cause delays and extra costs for you.
Have A 10%-20% Contingency Budget
A contingency budget is needed when an issue that is out of everyone’s control happens. Moisture or mold problems can be expensive repairs depending on the extent of the damage. There is no way of knowing what the contractor will find when he starts his demolition. Keep in mind that unforeseen conditions needing repairs will also add additional hours and cost to your project.
Make And Finalize Selections Early
The remodeling industry is still experiencing delays with products and materials. The last thing you want is to stall your project because the tile you’ve had your heart set on is temporarily out of stock. It’s up to you how involved you want to be in making selections. Some homeowners prefer a hands-off approach and want the designer to pick everything. Others prefer to do the bulk of the legwork and then get advice and feedback from their designer. Either way, make sure someone is on top of availability and lead times for items, so you don’t have a stressful, last-minute scramble to do research and make selections. You want to avoid having to make a major decision under pressure. if you plan to be involved in making selections, ask early on for a spreadsheet, software program, or mobile app that lists and tracks material, finish, fixture, and appliance selections so you know all of the parts and pieces needed and when they need to be selected.
Build It Right The First Time
I know it isn’t fun to pay for things you can’t see, but don’t skimp on the fundamental elements of your home — the foundation, structure, insulation, waterproofing, mechanicals, etc. There are areas where you can cut the budget if needed, but these should not be it. It’s crucial to invest in the fundamentals to get a solid, smooth-running, water-tight house that stays that way for many, many years.
Know Where You Can Cut Costs If Needed
Your contractor can help with what to splurge and save on. If your budget is experiencing upward pressure and you need to trim some costs, you can save a large chunk of change by making a few small adjustments, such as switching to lower-cost finish materials, keeping the paint job simple, and swapping high-end appliances and fixtures for more moderately priced options.
We Know You Are Anxious To See Your Remodeled Home, But Don’t Be A Nuisance
Remember that your daily presence on the job site can be a distraction to workers and ultimately prolong the progress of your project. It is a good idea to stop by regularly to see how things are going but don’t interrogate or get in the way of the subcontractors on site. Feel confident that you assembled a strong team who are able to correctly do their jobs.
As you can see, there are many components that go into home renovations, and each project has numerous steps that must be completed carefully. Especially if you do not have experience with construction, it is easy to overlook important steps that can easily derail your entire remodeling project. Hopefully, these tips will help you do your research about home renovation.
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About Business Concepts Remodeling
Building Concepts specializes in custom remodeling projects across the Greater Cincinnati Area. Our comprehensive residential and commercial experience has built a reliable reputation you can trust. Everyday we work to build trust through communication and attention to detail. We strive to enhance the lives of our clients by providing high quality solutions with hands on service. Throughout the remodeling project, minimal disruption to your home or office is our highest priority.
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