When considering a home improvement project, whether it’s a bathroom remodel, kitchen renovation, new garage or outdoor living space, you’ll find the process will be much easier when due diligence and planning is done on the front end.
As with most things, the key to a successful outcome is preparation.
When considering a home improvement project, whether it’s a bathroom remodel, kitchen renovation, new garage or outdoor living space, you’ll find the process will be much easier when due diligence and planning is done on the front end.
IDENTIFY BUDGET AND FINANCING
Before moving forward on any home project, have a frank discussion about what your budget needs to be, and if necessary – how financing should be achieved, keeping in mind that most renovations do run into unexpected expenses, so making a plan for your project to cost a little more than projected is a smart idea.
FIND A QUALIFIED CONTRACTOR
Possibly the most important decision you will make during a home remodel is who will be doing the work. A good contractor can make the difference between an undesirable experience or an exciting process.
Ask around with neighbors or people in your area who have had home renovations – even those who have had bad experiences. Knowing which companies to eliminate is important as well. Research these companies’ websites and photo galleries, check out their online reviews, better business bureau rating and of course, check to ensure they have all proper licenses and insurance for your state
Look for the company that works best with your personal vision and approach to the project, with whom you feel comfortable and confident. If you will need help with the design portion of your project, make sure you choose a company that offers design build services or that can recommend trusted architects and design partners.
In this modern kitchen, industrial appliances were installed, including a commercial grade beverage refrigerator at the end cap of the island. Putting beverages here helps keep a nice open flow behind the island and keeps the main fridge from being opened and closed all throughout a party or just throughout the day.
FIND YOUR DESIGN INSPO
It can be difficult to communicate your vision or expectations for a project to a contractor, designer or architect. To help facilitate this process, spend some time looking through design and architecture magazines, websites or even the photo galleries and portfolios of the designers with whom you’ll be working prior to sitting down at the contract table. Bring these inspiration images with you to your design meeting, with specific notes about what you like about a certain space.
PLAN, PLAN, PLAN
The design and planning process cannot be overlooked or rushed. This is the most critical portion of the project, as all the decisions made at this point affect the rest of construction. Prepare for at least several months of planning and design, especially as designers and architects are heavily booked as of late. Depending on materials and vendors, there may also be longer wait times for certain products and services. This may seem like a long time, especially when you are excited to get started on your project, but trust that taking the time at this step will result in a much better outcome.
Prior to construction, have open conversations with your contractor regarding scheduling and logistics for the team to be in your home. Talk about your construction timeline, consider potential project disruptions (such as severe weather) and unexpected issues – a near certainty when opening up an existing structure.
While you may be excited to get started and ready to hit the ground running on your home improvement project, it’s critical to put the time and effort into planning. The more you can plan in advance, the less disruption and stress you’ll encounter when the construction on your home finally begins.