The home improvement industry is booming, probably due to the DIY channel and home improvement shows that have become popular in the last few years. The idea that we, as homeowners, can take on projects and transform our homes on a budget is quite appealing. But, before taking the plunge on a remodeling project, here are a few things to consider.
The design – Sure, we see a lot of options on line of what we think would look great in our home, but not everything is suited for every home. For example, an outlandish outdoor living room might look great, but it might not necessarily be the best fit for our home. You have to consider our home’s style and if it fits with your home’s look and feel. We’ve seen many homes where there is one room that seems like it belongs in another home. Another thing to consider before deciding on the best design for your home remodeling project is the budget. Can you afford the design you want? If not, think about what you can compromise or how you can create the look and feel of what you want based on your budget? And lastly, you should consider how much space you have. The last thing you want is to cram a lot of things into one space, making it look cluttered instead of clean and comfortable. Once you answer all of these questions, you will be able to pick out a design that best suits you and your home.
The budget – We touched a little on this in our previous paragraph, but we can’t stress this enough. Be sure to research the average cost of what you are looking for and familiarize yourself with basic knowledge about the cost of materials. In other words, know the difference between bamboo, cedar, pine, metal or other materials and figure out which materials are less expensive and which one is best suited for your project. From there, you can make a better decision based on what you’re looking for and how much it will cost you.
Who to hire, if anyone – This is a big question. Are you going to hire a home improvement or home remodel company or are you taking on this project yourself? Please see out previous post for 7 questions to ask when hiring a contractor for more information on how to pick the best contractor. In short, whether or not you hire a contractor or take on the project yourself is entirely up to you, but you may consider thinking about your budget, time, knowledge; in other words, can you do it yourself or are you willing to pay what we like to call a convenience fee. Are you willing to pay for the convenience of having someone do the remodeling project for you or would you rather save money and tackle the project on your own? This is something only you can answer.
But, if you do decide to hire a contractor, consider doing your homework to find the best one for your home improvement project. Be sure to check their reputation online and don’t forget that your neighbors can also be a great resource. In addition, you can also ask for samples of completed work similar to your project. You want to feel comfortable with who you hire since they will be in your home even if it’s just for a few days.
Be realistic – Setting realistic expectations is necessary so you won’t get frustrated or shell out more money when you didn’t plan on it. Whether or not you take on the remodeling project yourself, it’s important to budget accordingly and to also set realistic expectations on the expected project completion date. Construction projects tend to run long so be sure that, if you hire a contractor, to let the contractor know if there is a strict timeline they need to adhere to and hold them accountable if the timeline is not met. One thing that may also be overlooked is to anticipate the inconvenience of a home remodeling project. Having a construction crew in your home for even a short period of time can be unpleasant, noisy and inconvenient. Before you move forward with a remodeling project, be realistic about whether or not you can handle the inconvenience of the project. And if you decide that you can’t, think about making alternate living arrangements during the time you remodel your space.
As you can see, taking on a home remodeling project can be a big decision, but overall, the outcome is well-worth the trouble, time and money. Remodeling projects can also put money in your pocket in the long run, as they can increase your home value. Whether you decide to take on the project or hire a professional, there’s no doubt you will be happy after the project is complete!
