In a 2023 study regarding renovations,
58% of homeowners said they made some improvements in 2022. Many homeowners looking to renovate say they wish they knew about the more minor things, such as measuring everything and never assuming. Some did not realize that it would be incredibly difficult to function in the home during the remodeling process.
No matter if you are about to upgrade the fixer-upper you have just purchased or you are looking to spruce up your home, the process of home remodels can be as stressful as they are thrilling. Here are seven remodeling tips to help ensure your renovation is successful.
Create a budget
One of the very first things to do when you're getting ready to remodel your home is to create a realistic budget. In this budget, you will want to make sure
10% of it is for unexpected costs. It is always better to plan to spend a bit more than run out of money. Your budget should consist of the cost of materials, labor, permits, and decorative finishes.
With a big project like a renovation, it can be tempting to find ways to save a few bucks here and there, but you do not want to skimp on materials. Buying cheaper materials can cause you to have to do repairs in only a few years, and it could end up costing you twice as much. Consider strong materials like ceramic, stainless steel, and oak wood.
Work with professionals
Sometimes, it can take time to weed out the impostors from the professionals when starting your home project, but you must do this to avoid being scammed. If you come across someone who is demanding cash up front, asks you to sign something before you've made your final decision whether or not to hire them, or refuses to write up or sign a contract, the chances are pretty high that they are not legitimate.
One of the best ways to avoid this is to see if they have a membership in the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and, most of all, if they have a good record with the Better Business Bureau. Those who can provide references are also good options.
Communicate
To make the process run smoothly, it is always essential to have effective communication between yourself, the contractors, and anyone you choose to hire to help you, such as an architect. They cannot be expected to read your mind and know what you want, you should always be specific. Additionally, it is always very helpful if you can quickly respond to any calls and inquiries so that there are fewer chances of wasted time because they cannot move forward with something without your approval or input.
Make a plan and know your end goal
With a renovation project, it is never a good idea to go in without a plan. You can always end up changing your mind, making the builders redo certain areas, and potentially ruining your budget. If you know what your end goal is, you will be able to tailor certain parts of the remodel to fit that goal.
For example, if your objective of the renovation is to increase the value of the home for resale and make a return on your initial investment, you can focus your budget on something like newly insulated walls instead of appliances, as it's a good bet that the new homeowners will want to customize according to their lifestyle. Also, when planning to increase value, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry reports that, on average, homeowners recover 75% of the cost of a complete kitchen renovation during resale. If this is your plan, you may want the focus to be on the kitchen.
If your end goal is to upgrade your home for yourself, such as adding an office space or turning your basement into a family room, your money would be better spent focusing on potential upgrades of the electrical or insulation and perhaps better flooring.
Be sure to include the length of time for the project when planning. If your end goal consists of having the remodel finished by a certain date, then it's important to include that so that your contractors can keep track of the work and let you know if there will be any issues ahead of time.
Do your research
On top of making sure you're hiring proper contractors, there are various other reasons to spend time researching before beginning. It can become a disaster if you just assume how much it'll cost for your project or if you only go off of the quotes contractors give you. Both can end up costing you a lot of extra money in the end. Research multiple contractors before deciding on which to use, and utilize your research skills to come up with specific questions that can help you narrow it down and find the one that will fit best.
If your home has a specific historical concept to it and you do not want that to get lost in the renovation, then researching the deeper history of the home can be incredibly helpful. It can also help you when choosing contractors, as some may specialize in making these upgrades while keeping the authenticity preserved.
Don't let yourself get wrapped up only in appearance
When discussing home renovations, it can be easy and much more exciting to think about the changes in appearance your home will have in the end. But, it's important to make sure that you address possible structural and safety issues to avoid problems down the road that could ruin all the hard work done on your home.
Don't neglect the impact of the weather
When remodeling a home, especially in New England, an important aspect of it is the weather. With the four seasons that cycle throughout the year, you'll want your project to consider this and adapt accordingly.
New England, and Rhode Island specifically, have harsh winters, so ensuring that new windows are well insulated to keep you warm on those cold winter days is important. Also, consider updating or including a railing outside if you have steps, as this can help provide safety when the icy winter weather strikes.
If natural lighting is something important to you, then it is a good idea to have south-facing windows, as in New England, those receive the most natural sunlight.
With an abundance of parks and recreational options, Rhode Island's real estate is low in supply but high in demand. It stands along miles of the Atlantic coastline with luxury housing that ranges from private waterfront contemporary cottages to historic single-family estates.
Ready to buy a home on Rhode Island?
Edge Realty combines its creative background with three decades of experience to help clients find their next property with a creative marketing edge. If you are a first-time home buyer looking to invest in
Rhode Island real estate or if this is your next luxury home, the team at Edge Realty is here to help.
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