Planning a home renovation is one of the most exciting ventures for a homeowner. Getting the opportunity to completely redo your kitchen or change the design of your home can be a lot of fun, but a lot of work is involved too. There are a number of critical steps you need to take in order to plan a successful renovation for you and your family.
In this blog, we have provided a comprehensive home renovation guide so you can ensure your renovation project is a complete success. Renovating your home may be necessary for several reasons. This might include fixing a safety issue in the home, expanding the total square footage to accommodate a growing family, or making your home more energy efficient.
These are our top 12 strategies to stay on top of your project and ensure a seamless process.
Be Realistic – Set a Budget
Before you begin any work on your home, it’s important to establish a budget. This is a crucial part of the renovation process. A budget gives you a clear picture of what you can and can’t do for this project. This is an essential step in the decision-making process as it will help you select the right materials and designs that are within your budget.
And remember to allocate a portion of your budget to any unforeseen costs like finding a leak in the home or uncovering issues with electrical or plumbing.
Create a Wish List
Coming up with a Wish List is one of the most thrilling parts of the entire renovation process. In this stage of your plan, you can explore all the ideas you have in mind and note down the specific features you want to include. It’s also important to decide on the items you absolutely need vs. the ones you want. Do your research and find out what other homeowners have done with their renovation, what materials they used and what design you prefer. An excellent way to collect ideas for your Wish List includes attending a local home show, visiting kitchen, bathroom and retail showrooms, reading design and home improvement magazines, and looking up renovation ideas online.
There are several home renovations that make it to the top of many homeowners’ wish lists. Kitchen renovations are one of the most popular types of renovations and typically include adding more storage, creating more space, improving safety in the space or updating the style of the kitchen. This type of renovation can help you achieve a kitchen that is more organized, functional and beautiful to look at. Another common renovation for homeowners is a bathroom renovation. You can make several changes to a bathroom including a tub-to-shower conversion, interior remodeling, redoing the floors, adding new lighting fixtures and more. A bathroom renovation will not only add more space, it can also help to increase the energy efficiency in the home which helps you save more money on the utility bills. Many homeowners consider a home addition if they have outgrown their current home. This does not require an entire home renovation and instead creates an additional finished living space to your existing home. A home addition also helps to improve the overall property value and is an excellent alternative to moving and finding a new home.
Create a Timeline
Set a reasonable timeline for your renovation. Renovating a home is a huge undertaking that requires a lot of time and effort to complete.
You may also experience some obstacles along the way. It is normal to experience a few delays throughout the entire process so make sure to add at least a few weeks to a month near the end of your timeline to account for that.
Prioritize What You Need from Want
Understanding your needs vs. your wants is a critical step in your home renovation plan. This will steer you towards choosing features that are important to your household and prevent you from going over your budget. Consider what your goals are for your home. Are you planning to resell your home in the future or do you plan on staying for some time?
If you are looking to resell, you may want to invest in features with a high return on investment. If there are things on your Wish List that you like but they serve no other purpose, it might be wise to cross it off the list.
Design
A good design is integral to a successful renovation. The design process typically begins with a designer reviewing your ideas and gathering any photos or drawings you have. Then, the designer comes up with multiple concept sketches to give you a few options to choose from.
Once all the fine-tuning is complete, you will have the drawings or plans needed to obtain an accurate estimate. In the drawings, you can see the final outcome of your renovation with a list of all the materials used.
Plan
Developing a solid plan is essential to your renovation project. Having a detailed plan can make a significant impact on the success of your renovation and whether or not you stay within your budget.
In your renovation plans, it’s important to specify what changes are required in each area of the home. This will make it easier for your contractor to understand what changes you would like to make.
Talk to the Pros
Your friends, family, and neighbours are some of the best resources to gather information. Ask about how their renovations went, what they chose to renovate, and any obstacles they encountered during the process.
Speak to your contractor to check their references and obtain copies of liability insurance before they begin the job. Don’t make the mistake of relying solely on client testimonials. It’s crucial that you speak to previous customers to give you a better idea of how their projects turned out. It’s also important to ask for a portfolio of their prior work and ask any questions you may have about their renovation process.
What Documents Do You Need
There is some necessary documentation required to complete a renovation project. In most cases, a building permit is required to renovate your home. It is necessary to ensure that your project follows both structural and fire safety requirements.
Obtaining a building permit before you begin any construction is the best option if you are considering to renovate your home. If you fail to apply for a permit for this project, it may become an issue for you years down the road if you are looking to resell your home.
Know Your Limits
Choosing the DIY route for your project is beneficial in a number of ways. It’s an excellent way to cut back on expenses, you can get other members of your family involved and it’s something you can be proud of.
That being said, it’s important to be aware of what you can and can’t do. Make sure the tasks you complete on your own can be done safely and correctly. At any point, if you feel unsure about your task, it’s best to call a professional for help.
Research the Best Home Renovation Company
When you’re in the process of finding the right renovation company to hire, it’s important to do your research first. Go online and look up the best renovation company in your area. Make sure to read reviews, and client testimonials and check out their portfolio of work.
Check their online ratings as well — this will give you a better indication of the quality of their work and whether their previous customers enjoyed working with them. Speaking to others who have recently undergone a renovation is another excellent way to find the best renovation company in your area.
Where to Stay During Home Renovation?
If you are remodeling your entire home, it’s recommended to stay somewhere outside of the home. You should also consider renting an onsite storage pod or offsite locker to keep all your household items in a secure place.
Your options include staying at a hotel, a short-term rental, or at a family or friend’s home until your project is complete.
Can You Stay at Home During the Renovation?
If you are only renovating part of your home, it’s best to move your family to an area of the home that will not be disrupted by the renovations. Make sure to bring everything you may need, whether that’s a mini fridge or a microwave, so you can have one area of the home that still remains functional.
Still Need Further Tips to Plan a Whole House Renovation?
Renovating your home is a complex process that requires careful consideration and a great deal of planning. It’s important to set a clear budget, follow your timeline, do your research on renovation companies, and prioritize what you need for this project to be successful.
If you need more pointers on how to plan your next renovation project, contact our team of professionals at Artycon. We are the experts in custom home building in Toronto and the GTA. Contact us today to book a free consultation!