When you’re running late for work or faced with a tight deadline, it’s tempting to take a shortcut. But when it comes to a home renovation project, not all shortcuts get the job done quickly; careful and detailed preparation does.
In this article, we’ll lay down the seven essential details you must be prepared for before a home renovation. We’ll also give you tips on addressing them.
The purpose of your home renovation
Before you start your home renovation project, you need to establish your goals. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you renovating for apparent reasons like leaking pipes, mould issues, dilapidated ceilings or foundations?
- Are you renovating to increase comfort and functionality?
- Are you renovating to increase your property value if you intend to sell in the future?
- Are you renovating to increase the efficiency of your home?
- Are you renovating to keep up with the trends?
Once you’ve laid down your purpose, you can finally get to the pre-planning phase.
7 essential questions for the pre-planning phase
1. What’s the current condition of your home?
To answer this question, you must schedule a building inspection. The inspector will provide a report stating whether or not your house is in good shape or if it will need some repairs. You don’t want to be halfway through your project only to find out you’re updating the wrong portion of your home.
Also, a building inspection is important to avoid further structural damage. Some major defects that may be found during the inspection include cracks and damages to the foundation, floors, and slabs. If left undetected, such defects can cause the whole house to collapse.
2. Do you have a design, style, or concept in mind?
Before choosing a design style, consider the existing design of your home. However, if you’re renovating to sell, consider the look of neighbouring houses, too. A house that sticks out like a sore thumb may not sell as well as you expect.
To come up with a design concept, save your favourite looks on your mobile device or bookmark inspiring blog articles on your web browser. Research and learn from credible websites to understand what your project entails.
3. Is your renovation short or long-term?
If you want to get the most value out of your home improvement project, focus on something long-term, like improving storage or maximising your existing space. Meanwhile, projects that offer a good return in the short term include repainting or increasing curb appeal. These are ideal if you are planning to sell your property.
4. Can you handle the stress of the project?
Home renovations can be extremely stressful. It can be messy, noisy, and inconvenient for your family and neighbours. What’s worse is you must always be on the lookout for potential issues. For these reasons, renovate only to the extent of what you can tolerate and handle.
5. Would you need a project timeline?
Minor projects like retiling your bathroom or changing your doors may only take one-week maximum. Expect longer timelines for major or full-house remodels. Such may disrupt several aspects of your daily life, especially if you want to manage the project closely.
Here are some of the concerns that you need to prepare for:
- work attendance
- school presence (if you have kids)
- elderly (if you’re living with older relatives)
- sleeping arrangements
- season (for outdoor and indoor renovations, you may schedule them best during winter and summer, respectively)
6. Would your project need an expert?
Sometimes, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects may do more harm than good. That’s why it’s best to classify whether your project requires a professional hand.
Here are the projects that you can do DIY:
- painting
- tiling
- cabinet installation and removal
- wall panel installation and removal
- flooring
Meanwhile, you may need an expert if your project involves:
- plumbing
- electrical work
- heating, ventilation, air-conditioning (HVAC)
- load-bearing walls
Here are the professionals you might need:
- Drafting experts
- Architects/project manager
- Building design expert
- Interior designer
- Plumbers
- Electrician
- Technician
- Builder
In hiring experts, consider the ones with enough experience related to the work you’re assigning them. Ask for a portfolio to get a clear idea of the quality of work they provide. They must be licensed, registered, and have all the paperwork. Accept referrals from friends and family since they have firsthand experience.
Don’t hesitate to take a trip down to your local building authority to verify their credentials. Ultimately, ask for quotes to avoid surprise account statements. It wouldn’t hurt to request quotes from several professionals for options.
7. Do you have home insurance?
If your home insurance covers the home renovation, make sure your provider is an accredited professional.
Preparedness = confidence
Some may think that extensive preparation is a waste of time, but the advantages outweigh the costs. It also makes you confident and puts you in control when resolving conflicts and preventing do-overs during a home renovation.
