Whether you’ve recently bought a fixer-upper or have been living in the same house for years, renovating can breathe new life into your living space. Home renovation can be daunting; however, it can be less stressful when you know the top things to consider before renovating your home.
Start with a Plan
Before diving headfirst into your renovation project, it’s important to have a solid plan in place. This plan should include your goals and priorities for the renovation. Create an itemized list of all the things you want to accomplish. It should cover everything from aesthetics, structural changes, fixtures, and labor costs. Then, prioritize the list, starting with the essential repairs or modifications that must be done. By having a plan, you’ll be better equipped to make important decisions about what changes to make and how to complete them. It’s also important to set a timeline for completion.
Set a Budget
Once you’ve created a plan, you can start working on a detailed budget. It’s essential to understand that creating an itemized list will help you avoid surprises and stay within your overall budget. Comparison shopping for flooring, countertops, cabinetry, appliances, fixtures, and lighting can help you make budget-friendly choices to cut costs. It will also be wise to add an extra 20% to your budget to be prepared for any surprises.
Complement the Original Architectural Style
While additions don’t have to adhere to the original structure’s style, they should complement it to enhance value and provide a pleasant living experience. The resale value of your property will be improved if you complement the original architectural style of the home, especially in well-established neighborhoods where buyers are attracted to neighborhoods for their style.
Focus on Structural
Sometimes, homeowners focus on appearance more than structure because it is an improvement that is not visible. When renovating, addressing any potential structural and safety concerns is important. This includes updating the electrical system and plumbing, and ensuring the foundations, subflooring, and roof are in good condition. By doing so, you’ll not only safeguard your new stunning finishes but also prevent the need for costly repairs down the line.
Acquire Proper Permits
If you’re working with a contractor, they will typically handle obtaining building permits. Nevertheless, it’s wise to consult your local building department or county to confirm whether a permit is required for your project. Failure to obtain permits can result in your project being torn down, and it may even impact the value or future sale of your home. Make sure to do your due diligence to avoid any potential issues.
Hire a Professional
Home renovation is a complex job that requires experience, careful planning, and efficient time management. Experienced contractors understand the importance of prioritizing and dedicating their full attention to the task at hand. Reputable construction companies offer a warranty on their services.
Ensuring that the contractor you hire understands your project requirements is crucial. Feel free to ask questions about materials, layout, and the construction process. While price is important, don’t solely choose a contractor based on the lowest bid. Take the time to compare price quotes and references and assess whether you can work collaboratively with them.
Big State Construction – Our Process
Complimentary Evaluation
One of our team of professionals will come to your home and assess your needs and wants. We examine the lifestyle and goals of your remodeling or construction project and suggest the best path to move forward to meet those goals. We will work to understand preliminary budget requirements and introduce our process of managing a project.
Pre-construction Meeting
We have a meeting to introduce you to the team and your project manager before the construction or renovation begins. Before the commencement of construction, work hours, special requests, a preferred method of communication, and materials are reviewed.
Weekly Meetings
Your project manager or client service representative will meet with you weekly to review the progress, discuss changes, or answer any questions.
Completion Walk-Through and Project Wrap-up
Once the project is complete, we will schedule a walk-through to ensure our work meets your expectations. We also provide a warranty on our services.
At Big State Construction, our team of experts will work closely with you to understand your vision and bring it to life, all while ensuring your project stays on track and within your budget. Contact us to learn more about our process and how we an make renovation your home an excellent investment.