9 Must-Know Tips To Have A Great Home Remodel Experience
The home remodel experience is complex. From the worry about cost overruns to picking out the perfect tile, it can quickly become stressful. However, if you go into your remodel with proper planning and expectations, it can be a great experience.
After 25 years of remodeling my homes and the homes of my clients, I’ve come up with this list of 9 must-know tips to have a great home remodel experience. By following my suggestions below, you can enjoy your remodel project and enjoy the beautiful new space in your home for years to come!
Plan What You Want
It’s important to remember that this is your home. You are paying for this remodel. You should have what you want and can afford. This is why it’s so essential to hire someone you trust to help if you’re unsure what you want. You’ll want to give yourself the time and space to plan the area without contractors breathing down your neck.
With my clients, I always have them choose their selections before the work begins, so we can have all supplies ordered and delivered before construction begins. This approach has worked really well during the chain supply issues caused by the pandemic!
Thoroughly Vet Your Workers
While this process can take a considerable amount of time, it’s worth it when you consider all of the things you’re trusting them with. Not only will they be in your home, but they’ll be interacting with your children, pets as well as be a part of your daily life. Plus, with so much money on the line, you want to ensure that they’re qualified and have a good reputation. See what I mean!? You cannot take this step lightly.
Set Aside Extra Money (On Top Of Your Current Budget)
Unexpected problems and upgrades can quickly wreck a budget, so set aside 20 -25% extra to reduce stress. Do you have a strong feeling that there will be rotten flooring around your shower? Plan for it. What if they find a vent stack in the closet wall you want to tear out? Whatever the issue may be, you have to be prepared for things like this.
This is just the nature of home remodeling. However, if you have extra money set aside, it’s so much less stressful! And hey, if there are no hidden problems, you now have the extra cash to upgrade your countertops to the beautiful quartz you were drooling over!!
Set A Goal Finish Date
You’ll want to create a timeline for the work with your contractor and subcontractor so everyone is on the same page. If you have already ordered all of your materials, this task becomes even easier. When you order the materials, you should receive a date when they will be in and ready for delivery. Use those dates to develop your schedule so that you can ensure the project doesn’t sit unfinished, waiting on materials.
Protect Your Home Before The Work Begins
Before any demolition begins, you’ll want to work to protect your home. Take down and put away things on the wall in high traffic areas, roll up area rugs, put down floor protection, and tape plastic over doorways to mitigate dust.
Have An Area Of Your Home That Is Remodel Free
Don’t put your life on hold or try to live in what looks like a war zone. You’ll quickly resent the situation, and the remodel project very quickly. Instead, have a place in your home where you and your family can retreat during the remodel that is neat, clean, and relaxing.
Protect Your Home From Dirt, Debris And High Traffic
Sweeping regularly and encouraging the trades to throw away what is no longer needed will help protect your home during the remodel. Dirt left on the floors is just asking to scratch flooring in parts of the home you aren’t planning to remodel. Plus, seeing those clean areas become wrecked will cause you stress and, again, cause you to resent your remodel project. Be sure to tell your contractors upfront that you want things kept clean, and don’t be afraid to remind them throughout the process.
Be Home During The Remodel As Much As Possible
If you want to have complete control of the remodel, you’ll want to be home as much as possible while the work is going on. Don’t be afraid to look in on the work often, ask questions, and make sure that they have an open line of communication with you as well.
You want to make the decisions affecting your remodel, not a contractor. I fully encourage you to ask the contractors for input, but the final decision should be yours. If you can’t be there during the day, work out a plan in advance of how and when to address questions that arise.
Take A Ton Of Photos
Make sure to take tons of photos during the process, especially before pictures. Right now, you think you won’t ever want to see that hideous bathroom again, but comparing before and after photos is so much fun.
Conclusion: Enjoy Your Home Remodel
A home remodel can be a considerable undertaking, but with proper preparation, you can minimize the stress and make it an enjoyable experience. By following these nine tips, you will help ensure a smooth remodeling process from start to finish. If you want to learn more, check out our other blog content, sign up for the e-mail list below, or contact me directly with your concerns.
Other helpful remodeling posts
Seven Essential Tools for Organizing Remodel Projects