Things To Decide Before Your Home Remodel
When planning a house remodel, it can be tempting to skip to the exciting stage of choosing new paint colors, fixtures and fittings, but in order for any renovation to go smoothly, there are several things to think about before you even begin.
Here are some of the most important parts of the talk that you and your family should have before considering a remodel:
Consider if you plan to live in your home five years, 10 to 20 years or a lifetime.
If it’s short term, decisions are easier and you’re not as likely to make big changes. But maybe you plan to be there for 10 to 20 years, or you consider your house a “legacy” home that you want to keep in your family for generations. If so, you may need to give consideration to the space needs of current and future toddlers, teens and aging parents. Also it may affect your choice of materials. If you plan to keep a house long into the future, buying the best quality materials such as metal roofs, durable floors, copper downspouts and stone surfaces (inside and out) that will last 100 years might make sense.
Determine the quality of life issues that make you want to remain in the home.
Maybe you need more space or a different configuration of your main level. Should you move or remodel? We’ve told potential clients on some occasions that the needs of their family simply can’t be met by remodeling the current home and that they should consider moving. But that’s a last resort.
The reasons to stay put and remodel may be quality of life issues. You’ve put down strong roots and love the neighborhood. What experiences do you want your children to have? The kids are settled in their school, and have nearby friends and love their local sports teams. Your doctors, neighbors, friends and other trusted service providers are also part of your local community.
Calculate the costs of renovating vs. buying another house.
Moving typically costs about 8 to 10 percent of the value of your current home. Out of pocket costs includes moving expenses, closing costs, broker commissions and other items that have no direct impact on your quality of life. Add to that the expense of new carpets, additional furniture, painting and redecorating and a few modifications to the new house and the costs add up even more. Also consider whether the new house is going to need major repairs or a new roof or HVAC system in the next three to five years.
Tips for Planning a Successful House Remodel
Know Your End Goal
Before you decide how extensively to renovate, you need to know what your end goal is for your home. Are you renovating to raise the resale value of your home, or will you be staying put for years to come? Consider the condition of your neighborhood before you begin, and know which renovations are a good return on investment, and which will be considered overdoing it for the area. Having a specific plan in place for your future will help you decide how deep to go with your project.
Have a Budget
Knowing your budget—and sticking to it—is one of the most important parts of renovation planning. Remember to add in a contingency fund for any unexpected costs—and expect to use it—as well as incidental costs like the cost of eating out for a kitchen reno, or even taking a hotel for a night or two. It can be easy to want a top-of-the-line renovation, but perhaps all you need are some cheap upgrades which will make your house look more expensive. Do your research and plan your budget before ever lifting a hammer.
Do Your Research
Take the time to chat with friends, family, and neighbors about the renovation work they have done, and the challenges they have faced during the process. Having a wealth of information from homeowners who have been in your shoes can be invaluable in the planning process, and this information may alter your end plan.
Ask for References
Any good contractor will have no problem providing references, and copies of liability insurance before a job begins. Don’t rely solely on client testimonials, search out actual customers that can give you a firsthand account and answer any questions you may have. For any project, ask to see before and after images of a contractor’s prior work, and most importantly—trust your gut and know which questions to ask.
Plan For Outages
If your home is lacking plumbing shut-off valves in the area you are working on, you may have to shut the water off at the main valve, leaving your home without access to running water. Plan ahead and place containers of water in the fridge for drinking, on the counter for cooking and have buckets of water available to flush the toilet. An easy way to do this is to fill the bathtub with water and place a bucket nearby to pour into the toilet bowl.
Make a Master List
To have the best chance of success, and to help in the budgeting process, make a master checklist of items you need, from administrative tasks like permits, right down to rollers for the paint. It’s helpful to separate the list by items you have, and items you need to purchase. In the case of tools, making a list can help you decide which tools you can rent to save on costs versus purchasing new.
Create Drawings
You don’t have to be an engineer to create job drawings, and chances are you’ll require some form of drawing to obtain a permit for your house remodel. Be sure to note square footage, heights and widths of doors and windows, and current locations for any services like electrical, gas or water.