Tips to Know During Your First Remodel

Photo by Milivoj Kuhar on Unsplash

Home remodeling can be an exciting experience, but it hides many surprises that the average homeowners need to be aware of. From choosing the right contractor, picking the best design fixtures and matching colors, to doing an after-renovation cleanup, all these can be quite overwhelming. 

We've rounded up the four most important tips that will help you prepare for your first home remodeling project. 

Plan Your Remodel Carefully 

More often, it's easy to jump into a home renovation project, but it's hard to quantify the hurdles you'll have to face along the way. Planning your renovation will help you see the bigger picture before getting started. 

The first step is to map your goals so you can specify the scope of the remodeling project. For example, you may want to remodel the kitchen and the living room first or the roof and the exterior alone. A plan will also help you estimate the remodeling cost, choose the right contractor company, and even select the finishes and fixtures needed.

From here, you can choose a spare space, either indoors or outdoors, to move your belonging. More often, homeowners will set aside a renovation free-zone to continue living in the same home while remodeling continues in the other rooms.  

You should also create a master list detailing what needs to be done, when, how, and by whom. The idea is to have a clear overview of the steps involved in the remodeling process. However, it doesn't have to be detailed, like the one used by your contractor.

Another critical step is to get a permit from the local authorities. This is particularly true if you are looking to sell your home in the foreseeable future. A home that's remodeled without a permit is most likely to violate the building and safety standards, for example, the national electrical codes. Finally, put measures in place to protect your pets and kids, if any. 

Be Part of the Whole Exercise 

As a homeowner, you have two options. You can let the contractor do his job and just hang around until the whole project is over, or you can choose to be part of the remodeling process. With the latter, you have the option to specify further how you want your new home to look, from the color options to design features and everything in between.

Watching the remodeling process one at a time can be fun, but that will mean you have to take the days off your job, which can be somewhat impractical. Instead, make time to visit the place at least once or twice a week. Give a helping hand, discuss the remodeling process, get to know what works, and check whether the new additions meet your remodeling expectations. 

For example, you may realize that the new windows are letting in too much light, hence the need to make a few changes to accommodate your taste and preferences. However, you should not be a headache to your contractor, always proposing corrections that might compromise the entire project's integrity. 

Expect the Unexpected 

For your first remodeling project, be ready to face challenges you didn't expect. Your contractor may delay to complete the renovation in time due to unavoidable circumstances, for example, failed inspections, weather changes, sick leave, etc. 

To avoid frustrations, always lower your expectations and embrace an open mindset. You can also avoid procurement delays by working with local suppliers who are competent in their work. Also, make it a routine to follow up with your local authorities on inspections to avoid undue delays.  

You can also minimize these challenges by consulting far and wide and modeling solutions to the most probable remodeling hurdles. 

Schedule Cleanup

Every renovation or remodeling project will lead to lots of waste materials, most of which will be difficult to clean on your own. It's easy to overlook the importance of post-renovation clean up until the work is complete, and your contractors leave a heap of clutter in the living room. Common remodeling waste like wood scraps, concrete waste, dust, trash, and debris require proper cleaning, which can be hectic if you lack hands-on experience. 

Working with a residential trash collection service will make the whole process painless, seamless, and fast. However, it's essential to choose the right company and communicate with the cleanup personnel in advance. This will avoid undue delays and inconveniences, for example, cleaning services spanning a couple of days and even weeks. 

Closing Comments 

Whether you are remodeling a few rooms or your entire home, it's critical to plan the whole project. This will put you in a better position to speculate challenges and work on their solutions, so the remodeling becomes a success. 

The four steps highlighted above allow you to proceed with the remodeling while paying attention to what matters the most., i.e., meeting your remodeling expectations while minding your safety and that of your loved ones.