Thinking about doing some renovations this spring? Here are the top 10 renovation tips to make your renovation run smoothly.
1 Budget, budget, budget Make sure you do your homework. Talk to a friend who has been through a similar renovation, do as much window shopping and cost-comparisons that you can do. Make sure that you tack on at least an extra 20% for those inevitable issues that will spring up. And check your budget with your contractor or trades regularly to make sure you are on track. Finally, don’t borrow to renovate if you can. A renovation is much more satisfying if you save up the necessary funds before your renovate.
2 Find the right contractor We have all heard the horror stories. The usual recommendation is that the best contractors can be found through word of mouth. But if you can’t come up with a good referral you can find great contractors on the Internet. Make sure you get several referrals before you sign any agreements!
3 Be realistic Dreaming is the start of any good renovation, but to have a good experience, you have to be realistic about what you can accomplish based on your budget, resources and your existing home. If you are absolutely committed to the dream of something that you can’t afford, see if you are able to renovate in stages.
4 Do your research Talk to friends who have renovated as well as other real estate and renovation experts. It is really important before you embark on the renovation rollercoaster that you have a clear understanding of what to expect. Plus, you need to make sure that you bring your thoughts and research to the table. Clip photos out of magazines of rooms that you love. Scour shops and the Internet for the latest and greatest. Have a general idea of how you want the space to look and feel. If you are overwhelmed, find a designer who can help you lead the way. If you want to find a reputable interior designer, log on to the Internet.
5 It’s all in the details Thinking big picture should be commended, but we know that details are what can make or break a renovation. Make sure you have a list (or multiple lists for each room), and make sure that you confirm and reconfirm that everything has been ordered, has been delivered, etc.
6 Get advice Now that you have talked to the experts, gotten referrals and drawn up your plans, have one more chat with friends or family who have gone through the renovation experience. Try to be as thorough as possible-you willl thank yourself later. It takes a good friend to remind you that YOU love baths and will be unhappy with one that is designed only to bathe small children.
7 Don’t have any regrets If you follow steps 1 through 6, chances are you won’t have any regrets. But remember, when you choose to renovate, do it with a certain amount of chutzpah. Don’t second guess choices once they have been made, paid for and installed.
8 Renovate for the future Trends are for accessorizing, not for renovating. A rule of thumb for renovating is that doing a high-quality job in a classic style is exactly that: classic. If you invest in quality finishes now, you won’t regret it.
9 Check in every day Your contractor will tell you that you only need to come by once a week. Don’t believe him or her! You need to do a site visit every day. Unless you have an incredibly trustworthy person to oversee your renovation, you really don’t want to go on holiday or avoid the site. Mistakes will happen, and you need to make sure you are there to react to them. The longer that mistake goes unseen, the more expensive it will be to change it.
10 Have fun! It’s not all doom and gloom. At the end of the day, there is nothing more rewarding than watching a space be transformed by good design decisions and great workmanship. Better still is the day when the work is done and you can enjoy the results in the peace and quiet of your new space.