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Renovation planning is a thrilling and stressful thing almost every homeowner has to go through every few years. Although time slips by quickly, our properties can often seem stuck in the past. Thankfully, you can drive a project yourself and save money while doing it.
If you’re ready for a stress-free project that will keep your property value up, these are the top tips to follow in your renovation planning.
7 Tips for Successful Renovation Planning
1. Renovation Planning is the Path to Success
Renovation planning is the best way to ensure your property turns out exactly how you want it and stays closer to your budget. Before you contact a single contractor or buy a single screw: consider what you want from your project and develop a professional plan with material selections. Plan development puts everyone on the same page to receive quality bids and compare apples to apples.
Renovation planning involves thinking about how long you want this to take, what you want the result to be, and what you think this will cost. A realistic timeline is the best way to save yourself from starting a five-year project that should have only taken three months.
2. Create a Realistic Budget
During renovation planning a strict budget is valuable, but you need to leave some wiggle room. Although most construction projects stay close to budget, if anything goes wrong, you don’t want to go bankrupt trying to fix it. Add 10% to your renovation planning budget. You hopefully won’t spend this money in the long run, but it must be available in case you need it.
Remember to treat this money as untouchable unless something happens that makes it necessary to spend. This money is not here to upgrade your soffit material to something more lush but to take care of unforeseen obstacles.
3. Remember The Important Details
Countless important details go into renovation planning so you don’t miss anything. This could mean ensuring you have residential dumpsters lined up in time to renovate or checking what zoning requirements are in your area.
Renovation planning should involve professionals who will help you with all the details of the project. Small details like checking with your HOA or double-checking the sustainability of your materials need to be remembered as well.
4. Use Materials That Are Built to Last
When working with a professional while renovation planning you will learn about quality products and when to opt for the best to save money in the long run. Nobody wants to spend all of this time and money updating their home only for the supplies or building to fail. This is a waste of time and money and can be extremely disheartening. Thankfully, professionals are out there who can help guide you through the process of material selection.
“When starting on a home renovation journey, I believe in the power of quality roofing materials to not just protect but elevate the quality of a home.” Jeff Guthrie, Prescott Roofing Co.
This professional tip follows through with every part of your home. Stick to high-quality materials, and you’ll see lasting benefits.
5. Avoid Any Shortcuts or Easy Outs
If you’re falling behind on your timeline or short on funds, it’s easy to think that cutting corners. We all want to get work done as easily and quickly as possible, but when you’re renovating a property, it needs to be done correctly. This is why when doing your renovation planning you need to be gracious with your timeline and funds to get it right the first time.
Cutting corners can cut your property’s value and safety, and it isn’t worth it.
6. Understand Your Limits
DIY has been a hot topic for the last twenty years. Although most homeowners can handle things like swapping out lights, changing doors, painting, and even refinishing a floor, but there’s a lot that should be left to the professionals.
Be honest with yourself about what you can and can’t handle doing when renovation planning. Although you may have a keen eye for the best exterior wood cladding, you might not be the best person to update it. Hiring a professional will always be cheaper than doing it yourself and then having to hire them to correct your mistakes afterward.
7. Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot
Although we all want our plans to go perfectly, there’s no avoiding eventual changes. Being flexible while you build is one of the most important things you can do for your mental health and the success of the plan. For this, remember to be flexible and keep up with what’s currently happening on the project.
This is a huge part of why your budget and timeline must be more flexible. Although nobody wants to have to change their plans, it’s a part of construction that’s often unavoidable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, embarking on a renovation journey can be both thrilling and stressful, but with the right approach, it can become an incredible success. By following the top tips outlined here, homeowners can navigate the renovation process more smoothly and ensure that their property not only meets their expectations but also retains its value. Thorough planning, a flexible budget, attention to important details, and the use of high-quality materials are crucial elements in achieving a successful renovation.
Understanding one’s limits and being honest about what tasks require professional expertise can save time, money, and headaches in the long run. Avoiding shortcuts and easyouts is essential to maintaining the integrity of the project and the property’s value. Additionally, being open to pivoting plans when necessary and staying flexible throughout the construction process can contribute to better mental health and project success.
Whether it’s your first renovation or you’re looking to make the next project less stressful, these tips serve as a comprehensive guide. Remember, your DIY endeavor can indeed be an incredible success, leaving you with a transformed and upgraded home that stands the test of time. Happy renovating!
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About the Author: Patricia Davis Brown
