In this article, we will highlight how to plan a home remodeling and home renovation project. Home renovations are time-consuming projects and involve a significant amount of money to be spent. That is why it is imperative that homeowners chalk out an elaborate plan so that they can go about the process as easily as possible. Now that homeowners can finally take up the project, it is necessary to look into all the factors that go into a home renovation and remodeling project. This shall make it easier for the homeowners and help them save up a lot in this economy.
Home Remodeling in a Nutshell
Home remodeling projects involve a considerable amount of money and a lot of time. It is not something that you can begin and end in a day. There are several aspects that you need to factor in. You must take care of the budget, the design, the plan, and the contractors – even before hiring the right contractors for the job. That is why it is crucial that you have an elaborate plan at your disposal.
The process is time-consuming and can be extremely cumbersome. Therefore, it is important that you read through each of these points and then proceed with your plan. A little bit of research and planning can save you from spending boatloads of money and help you finish your dream home remodel in no time. Therefore, without any further ado, let us read through the points and plan for a hassle-free remodeling and renovation project.
Establish the Average Timeline Over Which the Project Shall Take Place
Before you take the plunge into the project, you must understand the total time needed for the job to be done. Take up the project only if you have enough time to invest in it. As we already mentioned, home remodeling takes time. It cannot be done over the weekend or a day. A complete home remodeling project takes anywhere between three to six months. Therefore, go forward with the project only if you are sure that you shall be able to invest all that time. You might not have to be around all day long to see if the contractors are doing their job or if there is anything that is not to your liking.
However, you still have to put in some time to check over the work at least once or twice a day. You will need to guide and brief your contractors about the things you want to get done and things that you want to leave untouched. Therefore, make sure that you are ready to commit to your home remodeling project. There is a simple rule of thumb that you can follow. It would do good for you to expect about two weeks to complete the work for every $10,000 that you spend. This way, you can calculate the amount of money you shall be spending on the project and get the hang of the total time required to complete the project.
Planning
Now that you have established your project’s timeline, it is time to sit down and chalk out an elaborate plan. There are several things that you must include in your plan. Budgeting and researching the contractors are the two most important parts of your planning process, and therefore, you must pay extra attention to them.
Work Out a Budget
Everyone has a budget constraint, and it is necessary that you fix a budget for your home remodel. It might not occur to you right at the beginning of the project, but a complete home remodeling has a lot of corners that shall need you to spend money. Therefore, start by running a list of all that you need to get done and decide on the amount that you are willing to spend on each of these factors. One of the most crucial aspects of budgeting, which could be a tad challenging to estimate, is figuring out the cost of labor. However, it is safe to assume that labor will take up about 40 percent of your total budget. Therefore, it is advisable to look for contractors based on this budget if you are to stay within your cost window. You must also include about 20 percent contingency based on the scale of your project. It might not seem as important a factor as the others while planning your budget. However, rest assured that the total cost of home remodeling cannot be predicted appropriately. Therefore, you must always have a safety net within which you are free to operate. Demolition, framing, and drywall could lead to a number of issues. Therefore, it is essential that you have a contingency plan at your disposal so that nothing comes in as a surprise at the last minute.
Research and Hire the Right Contractors
The second and final aspect of planning is to research contractors and hire the ones you think can handle your project with ease and the utmost proficiency. There are a few factors that you must consider while researching contractors or the right home remodeling service. An ideal service like Kimball Construction or a contractor shall have to fulfill the following criteria.
- Have enough experience to understand the kind of work you are hiring him for
- Have the required license to go about the job
- Have the capability of acquiring the required permits to go about the remodeling project
Also, look into the projects they have handled in the past to get an idea of their work ethics and professionalism. Do not hire the first contractor that you stumble upon. You can ask your friends and family members about contractors as well.
This might help you get some discount on the service, and you can also rest assured that you have hired the right people for your job. Unless you are entirely satisfied with the contractors, do not hire them. Ask as many questions as you want to get an insight into the complete picture. Proper research will help you find the right people for your job. Therefore, do not slack in this step.
Demolition
The second step is demolition. Your contractors shall take care of this part, and it is vital that you have a dumpster at your disposal. This shall make it easy for you to get rid of the debris throughout the process. Demolition takes some time, and therefore, you must be patient. With a dumpster at your disposal, you shall be able to reduce the mess and finish the project on time. It will bring in more efficacy and help you and the contractors to move on to the next steps of the project with ease.
However, you must also ensure that you have taken all the precautions lest things could go awry. Demolition, when done haphazardly, can pose threats to your health and cause physical damage to your property as well. Therefore, handle this step with the utmost care and transition to the next steps easily. If you are looking for trusted contractors, you can check out Bella Contracting in New Jersey.
Electrical and Plumbing
The next step in your remodeling project is tending to the electrical and plumbing of your house. Your contractors shall work closely with plumbers and electricians to cater to any work behind the walls or beneath the floors. This means that they shall cater to the plumbing and electrical of your house. Installing new plumbing lines and systems, air conditioning, ductwork, and the like, are a few things that are taken care of in this step. Rewiring and plumbing shall take up a considerable amount of time.
Therefore, you must ensure that you have sufficient time on your hands to inspect the work being done by your contractors, plumbers, and electricians. You might also need to furnish the plumbers and electricians with the blueprint of the plan so that they can go about their job comfortably.
Framing
Now that you are done with the electrical and plumbing of your house, the next step is to tend to the framing and drywall. The drywall process involves several things. Your contractors need to hang sheets of drywall, apply the compound and then sand it so that the surface is seamless and smooth.
Framing is also one of the most important parts of remodeling. Your contractors shall look into the condition of your doors and windows, and take the measurements so that they can be replaced. However, before that, it is essential to build the right frames for the windows and doors. Your contractor shall handle the job. However, make sure that you are around to supervise the entire process.
Painting
Once you have a seamless wall and the process of drywall and framing is complete, your contractors shall start working with the painters to paint the house. However, if you want to save up your money, you can take up the painting job yourself. Painting is a vital aspect of any home remodeling project.
It changes the overall look and feel of the house and tweaks its aesthetics. You could get the right paintbrushes and the colors of your choice to do the job yourself. However, if you do not have all the time and want a flawless finish, it is advisable that you hire a professional.
Fixtures
We are now almost done with the project except for a few additional things. Once the paint dries and has set on the walls, it is time for you to fix the light bulbs, fans, air conditioners, bathtubs, showers and the like. You might also want to select a chic design for cabinets for your kitchen and bathrooms. The aim of a home remodeling project is to get your hands on some of the most unique designs and fresh ideas for your house. You could check with the carpenters and renovators to redesign your kitchen and bathroom with the best fixtures available.
Flooring
The final aspect of a home remodeling project is that of flooring. Flooring is something that you must tend to once you are done with everything else. This shall protect the floors from sustaining any dents and damages. There is a hoard of flooring options available these days for you to choose from. You could also select some gorgeous carpets to cover the surface area once you are done with the flooring. Therefore, the takeaway of this point is the lamination, flooring, and carpeting work must be catered to only after you have taken care of every other aspect of your remodeling project.
Finally, Trim and Finish the Work
A home remodeling project takes a long time to complete. However, once you are done with everything, you shall be left feeling accomplished. The entire look and feel of your house shall change, and this is one of the greatest feelings in the world. However, ensure that your contractors have given your house a finished look. It is not enough to paint the house, clean the debris and install the right fixtures. Your house must also have a seamless and finished look. Therefore, work closely with your contractors towards this objective and enjoy your days in a redesigned and remodeled the house.
