Home renovations

Renovating your home is an exciting time. You’re giving some or all of your home a brand new look. Are you looking to upgrade to an open concept kitchen with a new countertop? A bathroom with new tiles and light fixtures? Or perhaps an additional guest room in the basement? These home upgrades not only help increase the quality of life in your home, but also increase the value of your property.

Before you move forward with any renovation, it’s important to understand key preparations you need to consider. Let’s take a look at the following preparations below.

Know your objectives

Renovating your property starts with a clear and well-thought objective. What are you looking to renovate and why? Are you renovating the kitchen because the cabinets are outdated, or upgrading the windows and home insulation to make your home more efficient and save money down the road? Write down your objectives to start the planning process. Also, start jotting down a “need” and “want” list to ensure you have a guide to follow when going through the renovation.

Remember, having a well-planned objective on your renovation will not only enhance the quality of living at home, it will also ensure you achieve the vision you have in mind.

Set a realistic budget

Once you have a clear objective, it’s vital to think about how much you’re going to spend on the renovation. Start researching the average cost of similar projects with the same coverage (or square footage) in your area. In addition, call at least three contractors to get quotes and set a budget that reflects your financial capacity.

This is where your objectives list comes handy. You can spend way more if you really want all the upgrades and higher-end additions to your home if that’s what you want. Or you can take the route of opting for basic upgrades (for example, picking a laminate or vinyl plank flooring over engineered wood in the basement).

Find a professional contractor

Selecting the right contractor or renovation company is crucial in getting you a successful renovation. Look for professional contractors with a solid track record in similar projects. Verify them by checking customer reviews which show their past work and credibility. In general, a good contractor should be able to provide you with a detailed contract, clear timelines, best way to contact them, and some warranty for their work.

A good tip is to take time to shop around for contractors to work with who specialize on a particular project. Collect at least three price quotes from them that you can compare and ask about their timelines. In addition, you should lay out your expectations as well as your clear objectives for the renovation. This will all help align expectations and minimize any unforeseen inconvenience during the renovation.

Examine building codes and permit

Before you renovate, it’s also important to know the rules and regulations that govern your project. There are building codes (set of rules) placed by the municipalities and cities that anyone looking to renovate or build houses need to follow. These rules are set to provide safety and protection to anyone living inside a property.

You may have a different building code depending on where you live. So, ensure that your renovations are up to code with your municipality and that you’ll have the necessary permits before starting work. Typically, your contractor will know these building codes and permits and will advise you on the best course of action on a particular project. Most times, your contractor will get these permits for you although ultimately it’s your responsibility to have them in place.

Plan for the renovation day

The renovation day is when everything starts which can be chaotic if not planned properly. Ensure you arrange this with your contractor and ask for things you need to prepare on your home. Typically, anticipate disruption such as heavy dust, loud noise, and unavailable areas (depending on the project).

In addition, you should plan things ahead of time with the people you’re living with so everyone is ready for the upcoming disruption at home. If the project is big, coordinate with your contractor to see if there are areas (and timeframes) in your home where you can still access and use them when needed (such as kitchen and washrooms). In addition, ask your contractor if anyone needs to leave the house for any period of time and plan accommodations with everyone at home. This way, the disruption to your home can be reduced and you set expectations with everyone.

Preparation is key

Doing a home renovation is a great transformation to your home and living quality. But, with any big transformation comes with big preparations as well. As you start considering a renovation, creating a clear objective and realistic budget, getting flexible financing, understanding building codes, seeking a contractor, and planning for renovation day will help ensure you have a stress-free experience from it.

These preparations will not only ensure you get the successful renovation you need, but also capture a part of your home you’d always be proud of as a homeowner.