Did you know that 9 out of 10 Americans want to remodel their homes and that a third of those plan to do so in the next two years?
Some people want to add more space to their home, create airy and lighter rooms, increase their home value, redecorate, or increase their home’s energy efficiency.
If you’re one of the many Americans who want to remodel their home, then you need to follow our guide on how to start your remodeling plan.
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How to Go About Remodeling Planning
If in the next few years, you want to remodel your home, then you need to think about planning now. Planning your remodel now will help your project work later down the line.
1. Make a Detailed List
The first thing you need to do when thinking about remodeling your house is to create a list of everything you want to change. Use inspiration from online and in magazines and collect pictures of your dream home. The more thought you put into your remodeled house plans, the smoother it will go and the happier you’ll be with the finished product.
From the color of the walls to the furniture placement in each room, make sure you write down as much detail as possible about how you want your new home to look.
2. Think About Your Budget
The next thing you need to consider is your budget. If money isn’t an issue then you might want to look at high-end products and finishes, to boost your home’s resale price. However, if you’re remodeling an old house on a budget then you might want to try and do as much of the work as possible to help save money.
Be realistic about what your budget is if you can only afford a few thousand dollars then don’t create extravagant plans you can’t afford. For example, if your budget is $2,000 then you might want to focus on upgrading one specific room first.
3. Find out If You Need a Permit
Before you dive right into your project, it is also important that you investigate local zoning regulations and permits. If you’re planning to add an extension to your home or alter the exterior of an old building, make sure you find out if there are any legal requirements and planning permissions you need to obtain first.
Knowing whether you need a permit can help you plan for it in advance so that your project sticks to its timeframe. The final thing to consider is how long you want to project to take. Set yourself a schedule and make sure you and your contractors stay on task. Your timeframe might differ due to unforeseen events, such as poor weather, however, it will help you and your workers to stay focused.
How to Remodel a House Step by Step
Once you’ve completed your initial planning you then can think about the other details of your project. For example, if you want to do an entire house remodel then you might want to break it up into rooms and get the most important ones done first.
1. Planning
Spend plenty of time on the planning stage. Use our above tips to help you get the most of your remodel plans. Once you’ve completed the planning stage you can move onto finding appropriate contractors to get your projects put into place.
2. Contact and Find Contractors
During your planning stage, you should have worked out what projects you are able to do yourself and which ones you need a professional for. The next step of your remodeling is contacting and finding the right contractors.
You might need a builder if you’re planning an extension. You might need a plumber if you want to upgrade your bathroom. You might need a painter and decorator if you aren’t too sure on how to get the most out of your space.
Alternatively, you might need an architect to help you put your plans into motion and help you see what your new home will look like with 3D rendering. Learn more about 3D visualization and 3D rendering price.
To find good contractors, make sure you look at
- their previous experience
- ask any questions you might have
- check that they are licensed and insured
- and find out what their customers have said about them.
Remember that although keeping your costs down is good, finding cheaper contractors who do a bad job might cost you more in the long run. Once you’ve found a contractor make sure you agree on a fixed price and work out the necessary payments.
3. Prepare Your Home for Renovation
Once your project is all set to start, the final thing you need to do is make sure that your home is ready. This might include moving furniture and removing clutter from your rooms and ensuring you have all the tools necessary for the renovation.
If your project means that you’re unable to use your kitchen or bathroom for a week, then make sure you have other plans. For example, you might choose to stay in a hotel that week, or you might set up a mini kitchen elsewhere in your house.
4. Keep Your Project on Track
Once your house renovations start you need to make sure it stays on track, in terms of time and schedule. To do this make sure all your contractors are aware of the project and who is in charge. You should also refer to your timeframe every so often to make sure your project will get finished in time.
Start Thinking About Your Remodeling Plan and Transform Your Home Sooner
Always putting off home renovations is a sure-fire way that they’ll never be complete. But being proactive and carefully considering your remodeling plan will ensure that you get your dream home quicker.
Follow our planning tips and make note of our step by step remodeling your house guide. Remember to be realistic about your time frame and your budget and to hire professionals for the jobs that you can’t do.
If you enjoyed reading this article and it helped to give you some tips, make sure you peruse some of our other articles all about how you can improve your home.
