Everything You Need To Know Before Starting A Home Renovation Project

Ready to start your home remodeling project but feeling a little anxious? You’ve come to the right place. I’ve been in your shoes countless times and can offer friendly professional advice to sidestep mishaps and hopefully prevent some unnecessary tears and expenses along the way.

So if you’re asking, “I want to renovate my house, where do I start?” Here are my top three tips for starting your next home remodeling project.

Take your time and plan ahead. Do your research and find the most qualified contractor if you're working with one. And remember to stay organized—it will keep the project on track and within your budget.

If you caught my home renovation tips on my earlier post, Read This BEFORE You Start Any Remodeling Project, unpacking your WHY is a crucial first step in getting started to avoid losing time, energy—and yes—hard-earned funds. Laying the foundation for why you’re starting (and carrying out!) a home renovation project lays the groundwork for making necessary improvements that create a happy home to suit your individual family needs and improve the overall functionality of everyday life—the real key to a blissful home.

Next it's time to proceed with the right renovation action plan. Remember, if your reno involves plumbing, electrical, or gas, it is necessary to work with an expert in those home categories. This is to avoid safety issues as well as costly mistakes. Remember only a contractor understands building codes and necessary permits and can ensure your home's health and safety.

Account For Every Home Update in Advance

First you’ll need to determine every aspect of the home renovation. Consider all the updates you’ll want to complete to avoid backtracking or unplanned expenses (i.e., cabinets, tile, lighting, flooring, etc). This first step will help initiate cost projections and set realistic expectations. It can also enable you to determine what items you might need to purchase in bulk to cost-cut if you are making home improvements in more than one area of your home (paint, wall adjustments, window/door frames, hardware, etc). I recommend valuable checklists like the ones I created in my book House Story: Insider Secrets to the Perfect Home Renovation to account for every step in your home repair process. This will really help you know what to look for and how to stay on course. My book also helps you understand and articulate the finishes, style, and quality you’re wanting to achieve your happy home.

Having a pre-renovation home checklist helps you to track and prepare for all areas of your home repair including: determining all the necessary tools, taking accurate home measurements, what to consider when hiring a licensed contractor, the proper sequence to follow when starting your home renovation, and when to turn off your electricity and water, etc.

Being specific about your design choices and accounting for every home update in advance will help translate your ideas onto paper. Having a step-by-step renovation plan will ensure your vision comes to life without hiccups in design and construction.

Manage Expectations and Budget

It’s imperative to set your budget and manage expectations right at the start so you’ll want to consider what’s the most convenient time to conduct your home repairs. Factors like climate, family vacations, and kids' schooling can play a significant role in home renovations, so it is best to plan in advance.

Be realistic when determining the actual costs of items and repairs and determine how much flexibility you can lend towards this project as often renovations can last longer or cost more than planned.

Also, determine your budget upfront to see what changes are actually possible and suit your lifestyle the most. And because you're planning ahead, be sure you're getting the most return on your home improvement. If you’re thinking about selling in the future, don't overspend on things that won’t increase your property value. Remember that you don't have to make super expensive design choices to make a difference. Personalizing your home should be fun and encourage you to think outside the box. This will bring in more of what you love and eliminate unwanted stress. See where you can cut costs to still have the same look and feel without added expenses. Try to anticipate delays and determine workarounds whenever possible. Remember shipping times as supplies and furnishings can be backordered for months. Knowing deliverable deadlines helps determine start dates and product ordering flows.

Think About Hiring An Online Home Renovation Consultant

It can be very cost-effective to hire an online consultant—especially if you’re not working with a contractor. From helping you narrow down style choices to unlocking solutions to challenges along the way, licensed consultants guide you on how to secure permits while avoiding pitfalls, etc. Home renovation consultants keep your home repairs on track. Consultants also simplify projects and serve as a huge source of comfort throughout the process.

Plus, if you’re on a tight budget, an online home renovation consultant can save you time and money. This is because they have the expertise, skills, and access to innovative ways to solve problems. A professional online home renovation consultant helps you plan and execute your vision from the very beginning, while easing your anxiety. They can help you stick to your budget while getting the most efficient results and avoiding costly mistakes.

Need more tips and tricks for renovating specific areas of your home? Try the following helpful articles as well. Happy renovation, friends!

• Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting A Kitchen Remodel

• Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting A Living Room Remodel

• Don’t Make These 11 Bathroom Remodel Mistakes