As a homeowner, you must have dabbled with the possibility of remodeling projects for your home. After all, in the long term, any home improvement adds value to the home — whether it is for reselling or just the overall market value.
However, before embarking on a home improvement project, regardless of which room or area you’re considering, it is important to understand the complexity of home improvement. Most homeowners start a project without realizing the actual requirements and end up flustered.
Here are some Do’s and Don’ts that you MUST know about before you undertake a remodeling project.
5 Do’s of Home Remodeling Projects
1. Understand the Resale Value
When it comes to making major changes in your home, a little forethought goes a long way. What may seem like a good decision now, may or may not end up becoming a pain point some years down the line. All home improvements affect the resale value of any house; hence any design decisions should naturally reflect it as well. For instance, average returns on a minor kitchen remodeling project tend to be around 87%, while a bathroom remodel recoups only 67.2%.
Always consider the return on investment and design the house accordingly. While it is tempting to give everything a personal and unique touch to everything, make sure to still keep it marketable and appealing.
2. Spend Time Researching
Before embarking on any home improvement, take some time to figure out what you want out of it and how to achieve it. A key element is hiring the right contractor to do the improvements.
Your home is an important asset and home improvements are a big commitment — and a contractor is the ultimate bridge between good materials and a decent output. While selecting a contractor, make sure both parties are on the same page and have the same vision in terms of budget, time and design requirements. Disputes at a later stage can delay the project unnecessarily.
3. Understand Budget Fluctuations
It goes without saying that having a budget plays an important role when it comes to any home improvement project, major or minor. However, more often than not, the actual expenses tend to go well above the budget. This could be because of delays, added expenses, and unforeseen expenses. Hence, you should always keep a buffer for any possible budget fluctuations.
4. Always Have a Design Plan
Home remodeling isn’t something that can be played by the ear. One needs to have a solid floor plan and design plan in place. An expert interior designer or architect can help you with this as it requires a thorough understanding of various complicated elements and structural knowledge.
5. Understand Your House
Every house is different and has a different architectural style. While remodeling, it can be very tempting to strip off the interior to the bare bone and give it a whole new look. Before doing that, consider the architectural style of the house. Use that as an inspiration and include cohesiveness and synchronize your design plans accordingly. The overall aesthetic value will be much more and will result in a higher visual and structural appeal.
5 Don’ts of Home Improvement
1. Don’t DIY Everything
It is very tempting to DIY a remodeling project as a way of cutting costs, but it can quickly become a ‘D-I-WHY’ project.
If you don’t have the expertise or experience, it is best to not embark on a DIY bandwagon. Areas like bathrooms and kitchen have complicated plumbing and electrical requirements that require an expert to work on them.
It is OK to work on small parts of a large project but its best to steer away from major projects.
2. Don’t Hire the Cheapest Contractor
A contractor can make or break your home remodel. As tempting as it is to save money while hiring a contractor, people often neglect to factor in the real value they provide.
The trade-off that comes with hiring the cheapest contractor is often not worth it. It usually involves the use of cheaper materials, less experience and professionalism.
Look out for competitive prices and if you notice a huge gap, its best to stick to the ‘average’ ones rather than opting for the lower end.
3. Don’t Rush the Process
No matter what, do not rush the remodeling process. Home improvements require time, commitment and patience. There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to the home improvement process and the timeline is often underestimated.
If your project takes longer, be patient and remember that good things take time to manifest. There are always things out of your and your contractor’s control — and it is a good idea to go in with the mindset of any possible delay before you even begin.
4. Don’t Ignore Home Upkeep
Home maintenance and upkeep are often neglected aspects when it comes to massive home improvement projects. A small repair here and there can have a huge impact on the overall process. Before beginning any remodeling project, make sure to list any minor repairs down and get them done as well. General upkeep is also encouraged while the project is underway.
5. Don’t Get Frustrated
Home improvements are in no way a piece of cake. For those who haven’t done it before can find it extremely frustrating — largely due to small inconveniences that take place on a daily basis. In such circumstances, it is important to be calm and patient.
Even if there is a major hurdle, being frustrated won’t solve the problem at hand. Every problem, no matter how big or small has a solution, provided you approach the problem in a level- headed manner.
Going Through with a Home Improvement Project
The home improvement process is often unfamiliar territory for many, which is why it is all the more important to be informed and be aware of all aspects, positive and negative. Preparation can save you a lot of money, delays and regret later on. Be mindful of these do’s and don’ts, and your home improvement process is likely to be smoother and more pleasant.
