Take the Stress out of Your Home Renovations with These 7 Tips!
Home renovations are one of the best ways to freshen up the look of your home, change the functionality of the space, and even add value to the property. There are a number of important things to keep in mind before hiring a professional contractor to turn your dreams into a reality. Let’s take a look at the top seven:
Plan Wisely Before Starting
An added or renovated bathroom, or a finished basement, will add considerably to the value of your home. If you plan wisely, they will pay for themselves almost immediately, compared to going crazy with the latest high-end kitchen which can cost a small fortune and may never fully pay for itself.
Choose Your Contractor with Care
Start by speaking to friends and neighbours who’ve recently had work done. Ask who they used, if they were happy with the work, if they had any concerns, how the contractor was to work with, and so forth. Plan to meet with several contractors in person to get a feel for what it will be like to work with them during your home renovations, and remember to ask for references.
Know the Cost of Things
When you hire a contractor, you’re be paying for materials and workmanship. Having a good idea of what your ideal bathroom fixtures or basement flooring will cost ensures you won’t be taken advantage of.
Account for the Inconvenience
Plan ahead carefully for any home renovations that might the usable space in your home. Remember that there will be noise, dust, and debris in and around the area while work is being completed, and have a plan to cope with it.
Create a Wish List
Look at showrooms, magazines, and interior design websites. Show the things that stand out to you to your contractor. Having something visual to compare your home renovation goals to can go a long way!
Keep Your Eyes Peeled
Don’t be a pest, but do communicate regularly about the progress of the renovations. You want to ensure things are moving along according to the timeline, and also to be made aware of any delays or issues when they happen.
Stick to the Plan
Changing your mind after the project is started is guaranteed to cause confusion. While one small change may be okay, anything more than that may require paying for additional materials and labor. It might mean going back to the drawing board with all of people involved to rework the entire project.
When you follow these seven tips, your home renovations should be a breeze!
