Owning a new home requires considering potential remodeling projects. Here are tips for new homeowners on making renovations successfully.
One of the most exciting things about being a homeowner is the prospect of making renovations to turn the house into your dream home.
The average homeowner spends more than $6,000 on renovations each year. So while renovations can be fun, they can also be expensive and should be thoughtfully approached.
There would be nothing worse than spending a lot of money to change things in your home and then being disappointed in the outcome.
Here are 7 tips to making sure your renovations are successful and you get the home you want in the end!
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- Making Renovations Count
When looking at homes it is easy to walk through and note all of the ways you would change things with an unlimited budget. For example, if you’re considering Metal Roofing for your home makeover, consider whether you’ll be using old scrap or buy new metal shingles for your roof. But for most, that type of budget is not the case.
Instead, there is likely a limited amount of money that can be used on renovations. That means the scope of change will have to be more limited.
But, let’s be clear, that doesn’t mean you can’t get the house you want. It will just take a little more effort.
Before starting a renovation, take a real critical look at the space and decide what will make the biggest impacts on the space. A clear vision of what you want in the end helps to keep you focused on those big impact projects and deters the smaller, distracting projects.
You only have so much room for changes, so make the ones you choose count!
- Budget for Renovations
The biggest thing to consider when making renovations is the budget. You need to be mindful of what you can afford to not cause major problems later on.
If you know the house is going to need renovations before you purchase it, your lender may be able to help you work some of that cost into the price of the home. Find the best mortgage broker to help you achieve your goals from the beginning.
It is important when doing any renovations to have a clear picture of what things will cost so that you are not left with unfinished projects. Contractors and specialty tradesmen will be able to get you quotes for work that needs to be done.
Renovations often cost more than initially expected, so having a little extra in the budget for contingencies is helpful as well.
- Be Realistic
Being realistic about what is possible and what is not goes hand in hand with having a budget set before beginning the renovations.
In the age of DIY and home improvement shows, there is a major misunderstanding of what is possible and how long things take during renovations. Changing your whole-house layout will not take an hour.
Some changes are just not possible based on your house, zoning and permitting regulations, or the budget you have.
Set yourself up for success and have a clear understanding of what is a realistic outcome and what is not.
- Hire the Right Help
There are a lot of projects in renovations that can be done by yourself – and even some you could teach yourself how to do after watching some videos. But there are a lot of projects that can’t (and really shouldn’t) be done by yourself.
Hiring a professional to handle the technical and bigger projects is generally the way to go to get great (and safe) results.
With more than 7 million construction workers currently working, you are bound to be able to find someone that can help with your projects.
These hires can make or break your project though. So make sure you research to find the right fit. Interview them, ask to see examples of their work, and read reviews. You cannot be too picky when hiring someone who is working in your house.
- Indoor and Outdoor Projects
A step in planning a renovation that is often overlooked is looking at the whole picture of the home. It can be tempting to hyper-focus on one particularly bad thing we want to fix but in the grand scheme of the house doesn’t make the big impact.
Renovations often have to be done in phases to be able to afford the work being done. So make sure that you are taking a real good look at your wishlist and setting things up in the right order.
Often a renovation just includes indoor projects, but outdoor projects can be just as important. Especially those that have to do with the structure and sustainability of the home.
Take a moment to survey the whole property when planning a renovation to make sure nothing is missed.
- New Paint for Rooms
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to make a difference in your home is to change up the paint!
Even if you don’t have a major color change, the fresh, clean coat will make a huge impact on the overall look of the space. The whole room can be transformed with the right paint color. It is amazing.
Painting is something anyone can do and maybe a good choice to hold you over until you have the budget for those bigger projects.
- Consider New Furniture
If you have the itch to do some renovating in your home but don’t have the time or budget, a new piece of furniture could help tide you over until you can.
Finding just the right piece of furniture that fits the space and is your style is such a good feeling. The perfect furniture can make space feel just right the way it is.
Making Positive Changes
There are so many positive benefits to having a space that is yours and feels like it. We get a boost of energy and endorphins from caring for our spaces and taking ownership of something.
Making renovations to a home is a way to get those positive feelings. But they are time-consuming, expensive, and sometimes hard to manage.
Set yourself up for a positive experience by being as realistic as possible about outcomes. Then sit back and enjoy the ride to your dream home.
If you’d like some budget-friendly ideas for improving your home, check out more of our articles!
