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Whether you’re looking to add a new space or update an existing one, planning a home renovation can be both exciting and overwhelming. You must think through your project before diving in to ensure everything runs smoothly and you get your desired results. The good news is you can complete your renovation project without a hitch as long as you carefully prepare and plan. The real estate professionals at the Aaron Weber Group explore five critical areas to consider when prepping for your home renovation.
Determining Whether To Get a Home Warranty
Many people confuse a home warranty with a homeowners insurance policy. But home warranties typically cover unexpected repairs due to unforeseen problems in your plumbing, electrical, or appliance malfunctions. A home warranty comes in handy if something goes wrong during the renovations because you won’t have to worry about footing the bill for costly repairs yourself.
If you’re planning to undergo major renovations, your safest bet is to purchase a warranty. Consult online resources to learn more about investing in a home warranty and whether the value is there for your specific needs.
Deciding What Kind of Renovation To Do
The earlier you decide what renovation project to complete, the smoother the entire process will unfold. Are you looking for cosmetic updates such as painting or wallpapering? Are you thinking about undergoing a structural change, like expanding an existing room or adding an extra one? This step is crucial because it will help determine how much time and money you need to invest in your project.
Designing A Home Office With Natural Lighting
If part of your renovation involves creating a home office space (and it should if you work from home!), think about how natural light could enhance the area. Natural light not only looks beautiful but can also improve productivity and boost your mood during long workdays.
Get creative about how you can bring natural light into your workspace, such as installing larger windows or skylights. And if that’s not possible, leave room in your budget for high-quality overhead lighting.
Planning Your Finances and Time
Taking on any renovation requires thoughtful consideration of your finances and time commitments upfront; otherwise, you open yourself up to countless surprises down the line. Create a detailed plan outlining how much money you’ll need to spend on materials and labor, as well as how long each step in the process will take. That way, you’ll have left nothing up in the air when it comes time to begin work on-site.
Communicating With Contractors
Perhaps the most challenging part of a home renovation is communicating your ideas and expectations to contractors. Ultimately, you want to leave as little room for misinterpretation as possible. Here are a few tips for articulating your vision:
● Confirm that you understand precisely what you want to be done.
● Think carefully about the details of each project and task, and develop a plan that includes timelines and materials needed.
● Explain this plan clearly to the contractors.
● Be polite and respectful when speaking with contractors.
● Ask clarifying questions when necessary (at any stage of the process).
● Don’t overwhelm your contractors with too many tasks all at once; break down each step and highlight which areas need specific attention.
Lastly, you’ll want to openly communicate any changes in your plan so that everyone stays on track throughout the process.
Which Projects Need Permits?
Depending on where you live, certain times of renovations may require permits before they can take place inside your home, explains Experts in Your Home. Be sure to research the home projects that require permits beforehand, so everyone involved knows their obligations before beginning work. This includes yourself, contractors, and designers alike!
As you start gathering these official documents, focus on converting everything into digital files so that you don’t lose track of them in the remodeling process. Plus, you can gather documents together that involve a particular contractor or project – or whatever other organization makes sense to you. Fortunately, in order for you to merge a PDF all you need is a free tool. Drop in your notes, invoices, permits, etc., then organize them and select Merge. For extra safety and accessibility, save everything to the cloud!
Research and Start Your Renovation
Whatever kind of home renovation project you plan to complete for your house, you’ll want to cover all the bases to position yourself for success. By researching home warranties, planning your home office design, determining other renovation projects worth taking on, and implementing the other tips here, you can set yourself up with all the necessary information before the contractors arrive. Then, you’ll be ready to enjoy the fruits of your preparation!
If you decide not to renovate and to move instead, or if you want to sell after your remodel, contact the real estate professionals at the Aaron Weber Group!