Are you one of the 51% of homeowners looking to remodel all or part of your home?
Chances are, you don’t have a clue where to start. Let this renovation planner help you make your dream remodel a reality.
A refinance loan almost always needs an appraisal. The appraisal is an unbiased assessment of your home’s value.
Outdated spaces hurt your home’s bottom line.
Adding a deck, replacing the siding, and updating inside and out will add to the “wow” factor of your home. The more curb appeal and sleek updates you can offer, the better your selling price will be. Even something as small as a new front door will increase your home’s visual appeal.
You may not be in a position to sell or refinance. Some homeowners choose to upgrade to improve the home for themselves.
If your house is old and outdated, it may not meet more modern code requirements for the kitchen or bath. A renovation is a way to upgrade your house to ensure it meets any code requirements. This is important if you are planning to sell in the future.
If your neighbors are updating and upgrading their property, you will want to do the same. Upgrading maintains your neighborhood’s property value.
Adding a deck or changing your landscaping design improves the curb appeal of your home.
It’s handy to have a renovation planner you can check for each stage of the project. Checking the boxes off of your home remodel checklist helps streamline the process.
Prioritize the projects on your renovation project. Don’t try to tackle everything on the renovation planner at the same time.
The kitchen and bathroom are the most popular places to start. The changes don’t have to be huge and expensive. New cabinets and flooring are inexpensive upgrades.
Once you have chosen your project, it’s time to dig in and get started. Most projects will follow this remodeling schedule.
Now that you have decided which space you want to remodel, it’s time to take some measurements. The total square footage of the area will help you get estimates and choose your materials.
The average renovation is between $100 to $200 per square foot.
Many times, renovation budgets fall short because they don’t include the accessories. For an accurate budget, include costs such as door handles, knobs, and other fixtures. Don’t forget to add plumbing and electrical upgrades, if needed.
This is a good time to think about financing. Some contractors offer specials, like a “one year same as cash” option. You can find your own financing through a home equity loan, a personal loan, or a revolving line of credit.
You may need to add temporary living arrangements into your budget. Gutting your kitchen will mean it is out of commission for a few days. If you are renovating the only bathroom you have, you will need to stay somewhere else for a while.
Your renovation planner should include checking into any necessary permits or permissions. These could come from the county, state, or homeowner’s association. This is especially true if you are looking to add an addition to your home.
While you’re making your renovation planner, consider where you will get your materials. Visit a local showroom to get your inspiration.
You may consider hiring a designer for your project. A designer understands how to work with your space. She will be familiar with industry trends, and she will know what renovations will boost the value of your home. Take her to the showroom with you so she can give your advice while you are there.
Get the supplier to explain all warranties for your supplies. Not all warranties pass from one homeowner to the next, so if you sell, the new homeowner may not have coverage.
It’s time to shop around for the best price on your construction costs and materials. Ask the company if the quote includes dump and hauling fees for your old materials. The quote should include clean up after the project has ended.
All contractors should be licensed and bonded. This protects your house from any damage or theft that may occur during the project.
Take note of when the contractors can begin and how long they estimate the work to take. Have them explain their policies and any guarantees that back their work.
Ask about the company’s insurance policies. If a worker gets injured on the job, make sure the contractor has insurance to cover him. If he does not, you may be liable for the injury through your homeowners.
Lastly, Read all contractor reviews and check references before signing the contract.
Your contractor will help you order the supplies for the renovation project plan. Once you place the order, it may take anywhere from four to six weeks for it to arrive.
Once the supplies arrive, they need clean, dry storage for the duration of the project. Clean out a corner of the garage for them or remind the contractor to cover them with a tarp.
Open the boxes to make sure they contain what you ordered. If there was a mistake, tell your contractor, designer, or the supply company. The sooner you tell them, the sooner they can send out the right supplies.
This is the perfect time to check your renovation planner to see what plans you made for your family and pets.
Once the materials are in, the contractor can get started. Understand that the demo and construction will be dusty and rough. Pack up the room’s belongings and store them somewhere safe.
Take a few pictures of the room, the entryways, and the hallways. Snap photos of carpets and flooring. If any damage occurs to the house during construction, these pictures can help you prove that it is new. Make sure the pictures have a date stamp.
There is nothing subtle about the demolition process. It will be loud and dusty. The rooms affected will not be usable during the demolition stage of the project.
Contractors often hang plastic in doorways to keep the dust and debris contained. They will be wearing safety goggles, gloves, respirators, and hard hats. It’s not safe for you to go into the room during the demolition process.
This is the perfect time to address any outdated and worn plumbing in the kitchen and bathroom. It’s also a perfect time to add more outlets and other wiring upgrades. Check your renovation planner to see if you made any notes about fixtures or lighting.
Your contractor will now build the framework for the drywall. The framework is the metal or wooden studs that make up the “skeleton” of your walls. If you opted to upgrade your windows and doors, they will be installed now.
After the framework is up, it’s time to hang the drywall. After the drywall is secure, the contractor will smooth out all seams and ridges so your wall is flat and even.
At this point, you may opt to bring in the painters. This is a great time to paint because all the spaces are wide open. This is also the perfect time to add trim, like molding, and paint it.
Your new flooring comes next. The best time to lay the flooring is before any cabinets or other bulky items are added to the room. Your construction crew will cover the flooring with tarps or heavy brown paper to make sure it stays fresh and new.
Your project is nearing the end now. This stage of the renovation includes adding items like cabinetry and hardware. At this point, you can see the finished project coming together.
If you are selling the property, you may need to schedule an inspection of your renovation. Your contractor can tell you what you need to do. If there are any changes needed, this is the time to do them.
Depending on the size of your project, the construction crew may have rented a dumpster. If not, there may be a pile of discarded debris on the driveway or in the back of the home. After finishing the interior projects, the crew will gather all trash and debris to haul away.
This is a great time for you to clean the room. You’ll want to wet mop the floors and use a moistened cloth on all surfaces to get rid of any dust.
Replace your furniture and hang pictures to reclaim your space. If you hired a designer, she can help you find the perfect placement for your belongings in their new space.
When you are making your renovation planner, it is helpful to understand the time-frame of the project. This depends on your remodeling needs. A simple bathroom upgrade takes a month to six weeks. Gutting and completely renovating the bathroom can take months.
Kitchens can take several months to finish, depending on the scope of what you have planned. A simple cabinet and counter upgrade may take a month or so to finish while a completely gutted and remodeled kitchen can take up to six months. You may still be able to use the kitchen at different stages of the remodel.
Building a deck will generally take under a week for a small, uncomplicated design. The time from beginning to end will depend on the size of the deck and the materials used for the build. These are also factors that will affect the final cost of the finished deck.
If you are planning on spending time away from the home during the remodeling project, make sure to check in every day to monitor progress and be available for any questions your contractor may have.
If you are looking to renovate soon, or just putting your renovation planner together for the future, we can help you.
Schedule your showroom tour today and let us guide you every step of the way.