Renovating your property can add valuable space andallow you to achieve your dream home. It can also make your property more attractive to potential buyers. However, renovating a home can also be stressful and disruptive. If you’re considering a remodel or renovation, here are a few things to consider before getting started.
1. Set a realistic budget
Your renovation is likely to start with a realistic assessment of the investment needed to complete the works. Think about the materials and professional expertise required and conduct some research to get an idea of how much things cost. Be aware that budgets can quickly get out of control, so set aside a contingency fund and line up any financing before the work begins. If you’re not going to assume the role of project manager, it is worth hiring one, certainly for major renovations. While it will be an extra expense, a project manager will help to keep everyone in line and make sure any over-budget items are agreed with you before the purchase is made.
2. Improving your home’s value
Property owners often choose to renovate their home to boost its value when they come to sell. However, before you begin, it is important to understand the renovations that can actually add value and give you a healthy return on investment. For example, remodeling your bathroom with a simple white suite and plain tiling can add value, while putting in a swimming pool can be a negative for buyers who don’t want the hassle of maintaining it or fear the safety implications. If you want a pool for your own family to enjoy but don’t want it to reduce your home’s value, explore installing safety features from US Glass Fence or other firms that can add reassurance to potential buyerssuch as Q-Railing installation.
3. Timescales and daily disruptions
Renovating your home can be a lengthy process. During this time, you are likely to experience disruptions to your daily routine. Depending on the scale of the work, your house, or parts of it, might be uninhabitable for a while. Contractors may need to shut off the electricity or water, and areas of your home might be unsafe, for example if the flooring has yet to be installed. You may need to think about how and where you and your family are going to live during the renovations and schedule works accordingly. Agree a realistic schedule with all your contractors and, if relevant, the project manager. While flexibility will be required, a clear timetable for completion should help to keep things on track.
4. Potential problems and delays
Lastly, it would be naïve to go ahead with a renovation without considering the possibility that things might go wrong. While some aspects of the renovationmight be straightforward, issues can arise, even with the most professional and skilled contractors. In the world of renovations, problems generally have two consequences: cost and delay. Be sure you factor in unexpected events during the planning stage and ensure all contractors are communicating with you, the project manager, and with each otherat all times.
Renovating your home is a costly process that can cause lots of upheaval. However, this article has hopefully shown that with some forward planning, it can be a worthwhile investment of time and money.
