Remodeling is an exciting time and a great opportunity to make your home a greater expression of who you are! There is a lot of work that goes into a remodel, but you can significantly cut down on project time and costs by planning effectively. We have put together some of the best practices for planning a remodel to save you time and money in the long run.
Because each person has their own preference, you want to make sure everything you choose in a remodel fits you and your loved ones. When you start thinking about a remodel, first make sure that you consider function, feel, color, and style in all your plans. You can visit architectural websites online, relevant Pinterest boards and even Instagram for inspiration and information. On these sites there are many examples of color and style choices to choose from, and you can easily share the images you like with family members which will ensure everyone is satisfied with the final choices.
Aesthetics matter, but functionality matters just as much. To make informed decisions and prioritize your remodeling dollars, contemplate the following questions:
- What do you most want to change about how you currently live?
- Which are the rooms that need the most attention and which ones need few, if any, changes?
- Are there any functional changes you want to make? E.g. creating a cubby space for shoes, so they are out of the way.
- Are there any rooms you want to make a statement in?
Walk through the your home and jot down the things you most want to change. Note the quality and feel you desire from each of the important spaces in your home; Privacy, lighting, warmth, spaciousness and noise levels are things that are good to consider when you are assessing appeal and liveability of the rooms in your home. Avoid fixating too much in details; that’s for later in your process and you will want to get input from industry experts. Think about your future needs and include the yard and any unused outdoor space into your rough draft.
Once the draft is ready and the various tasks to be included in the project have been finalized, homeowners typically have a talk with a builder to understand the potential options and timelines. Before you choose someone to go with, get quotes and references from multiple contractors so you can make an informed decision based on both cost and job quality. When it comes to keeping project costs down, often times your builder may get a better price for materials, so avoid purchasing any materials until you have spoken to multiple contractors about pricing. Once you know who is going to take on your project, make sure you discuss your contractor’s process and find out what you can do to help keep things to an efficient timeline.
It always a good idea to have a contingency fund on hand to address any unexpected increase in budget that can come up during the construction phase. Things like unexpected structural issues or meeting new code requirements can add extra spend to your remodel. You want to budget for this upfront so you don’t have to make any sacrifices in what is right for your home, if unexpected costs arise.
Often times homeowners may change their minds during the course of their project. The problem is that multiple changes, even if they appear minor, can drive up costs and add time to the project schedule. This is another reason why taking the time to plan and communicate with your contractor before construction is important. Remember: When you take too much time gathering information you become rushed to make a decision. Rush to get information so you can take your time making a decision. You will save big in the long run.
Remodeling is a great way to update and customize your home, and by following these tips, you can easily find the options that will look and feel great while meeting your families needs and all at a great value.
Have questions about choosing new flooring for your upcoming remodel? Call us anytime at (585) 352-1170, visit www.ChristianFlooring.com or stop by either of our showrooms!
