How to Prepare for a Home Remodeling Project?

Completing a home remodel can be both exciting and stressful. Taking appropriate steps to prepare for your remodel can help your project go more smoothly. Below we will share some tips that will help both you and your general contractor when completing a remodel, whether it is a complete gutting or a bathroom remodel.

planning

The most obvious tip when preparing for a remodel is to develop a plan ahead of time and try to stick with that plan as best you can. You may think you can just make the decisions as the various stages of construction come up, but that will lead to delays and extra costs. It is better to treat a remodel project, even a small one, like you were building a new home and have a solid plan in place. The first thing you want to put together is your budget. Decide how much you can afford to borrow or spend on your project and stay within that budget. We recommend that when planning your construction budget, include an allowance for contingency. There are typically unforeseen challenges when the walls are opened, and the home is remodeled. This allows for some dollars to put towards those unexpected costs, which creates a much more peaceful mindset.

Once you have your budget set, you can start planning the design of your remodel. Bringing in your contractor early on in the planning can be very valuable in terms of insight and potential cost savings. Depending on the scope of the work you may want to consider the assistance of an interior designer, and if the remodel involves structural changes, electrical, plumbing, or is a major whole-house renovation, you should obtain the services of an architect. The interior designer and architect can put together drawings that set forth the remodel plan including all specifications, materials, details, etc. Having detailed drawings will greatly assist the contractor and will help ensure everyone is on the same page. Relying solely on in-field instructions can lead to miscommunications, delays, and unnecessary costs.

CONSTRUCTION

While budgeting and planning can be considered pretty obvious, many people may not be fully aware of what to expect once the actual construction starts. There are a number of steps you can take to be prepared for your remodel project. Before beginning the construction on a remodel, it is important to get yourself in the correct mindset, especially if you will be living in the house during the remodel. Remodels are dusty, noisy, and will certainly disrupt your everyday life. Remember that you will be living in a construction zone and plan accordingly. We highly recommend that you move out of the home for a remodel. Not only does it create a less stressful environment for the client and contractor, but it will highly expedite construction and scheduling. Our remodels are always more efficient and pleasurable when the client is able to move into a temporary residence. No matter if you are just renovating one room or an entire house, you will want to make sure to remove all items from the area being renovated. All furniture, wall hangings, dishes, and valuables should be removed. If you are remodeling your kitchen, you will want to move your appliances and store them in a safe space or consider setting up a temporary kitchen if your house will allow.

As previously mentioned, remodels cause a lot of dust and will create a mess. At A Finer Touch Construction, we strive to maintain as clean, neat, and organized of a jobsite that we possibly can to help minimize the untidiness. However, a certain degree of dust and clutter will occur, so you will want to make sure the areas surrounding the renovation are protected. This means putting up plastic to protect from the dust, close any air vents in and around the renovation area, and removing any items that may be in the areas surrounding the renovation. It is best to be overly cautious with your belongings. One tip that many people may not consider is making sure that pathways that the contractor will use are clear. This not only goes for entrances and hallways inside your house, but outside your house as well. Most likely, your contractor will be required to haul in large materials such as cabinets, countertops, etc. and having clear access to the construction area is paramount. In addition, it is a good idea to clear any plants or other landscaping items near the pathway in order to protect from accidental damage.

Lastly, it is important to be flexible throughout the project. Home remodel projects often times come with surprises and unexpected issues that arise once your contractor gets into the work. This is especially true when opening up and moving walls as no one can predict what is in those walls. You will need to understand that potential issues may arise and be prepared to make decisions on how to address them. While many issues can be quickly and easily resolved, you may have to be flexible to a change in design.

CONCLUSION

Home remodel projects can be very exciting and stressful at the same time. Proper planning, understanding the process, and setting realistic expectations can help your home remodel project run as smoothly as possible. If you are thinking of completing a home remodel project, it is often time a good idea to get a contractor involved early in the planning process as a good contractor can provide valuable insight, including value engineering to help save you money.