Did you know that about 80 percent of homes in the U.S. are more than 20 years old?
After years of use and exposure to the elements, there’s no doubt most of these homes require major improvements. But age isn’t the only reason you might want to remodel your home. One of the biggest benefits of homeownership is you have the freedom to make home upgrades whenever you please.
If you’re currently thinking of remodeling your home, you’re certainly excited and anxious at the same time. With the average remodel costing anywhere from $20,000 to $70,000, there’s a lot at stake. To help you avoid costly mistakes, we’re sharing some dos and don’ts of home remodeling.
Let’s break ground.
Don’t Start Remodeling Without an Elaborate Plan
A house remodel can take many forms. It can be as simple and straightforward as a bathroom remodel or as complex as a whole-house remodel that includes building an addition, or anything in-between.
The problem is some homeowners don’t quite have a clear picture of the extent of the remodeling project they’re about to start. You can set out to remodel your kitchen, for example, only to realize that the remodel won’t do your home any good unless you upgrade the dining and living areas as well. As a consequence, the scope of your remodel can end up being much bigger than you originally planned.
As such, don’t start remodeling until you have an elaborate plan. It’s advisable to bring a home remodeling expert into your home and get professional advice. This way, you’ll know exactly what the remodel will involve.
Do Make Adequate Financial Plans
How do you want to fund your remodeling project?
Like most homeowners, you’ll probably dig into your savings. Or perhaps you’ll take out a home line of credit if you’ve got plenty of equity in the property. Some homeowners go in for personal loans.
Regardless of your financing method, ensure you’re able to raise all the money you need for the project – and then some more for contingencies. It’s not uncommon for home improvement projects to overrun the budget. You don’t want to be caught unawares if this happens.
Again, this takes us back to the need to have an elaborate plan before getting started. Part of this should include an estimate for the project, including the cost of materials, permits, and labor.
Don’t Take the DIY Approach
The DIY movement isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Millions of people in the U.S., mostly homeowners, are taking matters into their own hands when it comes to tackling various projects.
While DIYing offers big benefits like cost savings, you don’t want to take chances when you’re remodeling your house. Tearing down a kitchen or installing pavement isn’t something you can do after watching a couple of explainer videos on YouTube. It takes rigorous professional training and years of experience to become a competent home remodeler.
Therefore, resist the temptation to take the DIY path; otherwise, it won’t be long before you realize you’re flushing money down the toilet with that bathroom remodel. Instead, hire an experienced contractor like milanbuild.com, agree on the project framework, and let them do the job.
Do Try to Focus on Sustainability
As you embark on remodeling your home, it’s prudent to stay abreast of current construction and home trends. You certainly want your home to evolve with the times. If everyone in your neighborhood is going solar, for example, it doesn’t make sense to make major remodels while your home is still powered by fossil electricity.
Building a sustainable home isn’t just about switching to a cleaner energy source. It’s also about the construction materials you use, your selection of doors and windows, rainwater collection, air sealing, and more.
However small your remodeling project is, try your best to put sustainability at the forefront. Over time, those small projects will add up and the result will be an energy-efficient home.
Don’t Stray From Your Home’s Architectural Style
Unlike home renovation, a remodeling project enables you to make significant changes to the property. It’s only through a remodel that you can, for instance, add a sun room to a house that doesn’t have one. Or a garage to a garage-less home.
While the sky is the limit when you’re remodeling, be sure to stay true to the home’s original architectural style. Consider upgrades that blend in well with the architecture and avoid those that will alter the shape of the home for the worse. This is especially important with exterior upgrades that touch on the structure of the house.
Do Prepare for Extra Storage/Junk Removal
Depending on the nature of the remodel, you might need to get extra storage and even make other living arrangements.
For example, if you’re remodeling the kitchen and living rooms, it means you’ll need to remove the furniture and kitchen appliances and store them elsewhere. If there isn’t adequate storage space in the home, you may need to hire a self-storage facility for the duration of the project.
Similarly, where there is a home remodeling project, there’s construction junk. Ensure you have a plan for junk removal before the project begins.
Remodeling Your Home Done Right
Remodeling your home, whether the project is small or large, is a big commitment. A lot of things can go wrong if you don’t take your time to plan for the project. Nobody wants that.
With the information fleshed out above, you now know some of the things you must do and what you must avoid. All the best and browse the rest of our blog for more home advice and tips.