How To Remodel A Home
If you’ve owned a home for very long, there is a decent chance you’ve remodeled at least one room. But have you ever remodeled an entire house? I’m currently working on a home built in 1978 that has never been updated or remodeled! I’m so excited for the homeowner for doing this project, he is going to enjoy his home so much more. The value of the house will also increase with this whole house remodel. In this post, I’ll explain why a home remodel is important and tell you how to get started if your home needs to be remodeled.
Why Does Home Remodeling Matter?
When I say home remodel, I’m talking about a fresh layout (actually changing the room location/configuration) to better suit how you and your family would use the space and/ or update all the finishes. A whole-home remodel usually includes completely removing the kitchen, the bathroom(s), and flooring. It can also include replacing the windows and the roof. Updating the HVAC system is also common. A whole-home remodel encompasses anything necessary to increase your enjoyment, safety, and the home’s value.
How To Remodel A Home?
Where Do I Start?
This is one of the most often questions I’m asked about a whole home remodel. My advice is to get the money part lined up. Where is the money coming from? Are you going to use your savings or borrow the money?
If you are going to use savings, spend some time doing some research on what homes similar to yours have sold for recently on your street or a neighboring street. You want to know this so that you don’t spend too much on your home and make it worth more than the homes around you.
If you are going to borrow the money, you have two options, but the lender will require an appraisal to value your home in either option. The first option is to refinance your first mortgage and take cash out, called cash out refinance. Or, you can take out a home equity line of credit. Explore both options to find out how much money you’ll be able to raise for the home remodel.
How Much Will A Remodel Cost?
This is such a tricky question to answer! To give you an idea, the whole house remodel I’m currently working on costs around $185,000. It is a 2,000 sq ft story and a half cape cod. We have gutted the kitchen and both baths and demoed all the flooring. Before it it’s finished, we will have touched every surface in the home and a few on the outside (windows, grading, roof).
Setting A Goal For The Home Remodel
This is my favorite piece of advice to give homeowners who are thinking about any remodel – a whole house or just a bathroom: put into words what you want the outcome to be. I work with my clients to do this so that I can share a couple of goals with you. For an example:
“Modernize the layout, opening up the kitchen to the living room and dining room. Creating a peaceful, spa-like feel throughout the home.”
“Update all the finishes with high quality, timeless selections and add more windows to bring in natural light.”
“I want my home to be a sanctuary of dark, moody colors, with easy to clean surfaces and a modern edge.”
In the absence of a clearly stated goal, everything you have to choose, from flooring to cabinets to door hardware, becomes this huge thing that has to be perfect. When you have a goal, it makes it easier to look at flooring and ask yourself: “Do I like this? Does it work for my overall goal? Does it fit in my budget?” You’ve found an excellent contender if you answer yes to all three! Otherwise, for some reason, our brains default to, “Is it perfect?” I would argue that nothing is perfect. Trying to attain perfection will make you insane. One thing could not be “perfect” in your eyes, so the project is a failure. If you set a goal for an open concept, bright and airy home, and after the remodel, you have an open concept, bright and airy home, your remodel project will be successful!
Protecting Your Things
When you do a whole home remodel, figure out where you will store your stuff (furniture, clothes, decor, art, etc.) during the remodel. It seems popular that everyone thinks they can shift their furniture to their garage or basement.
I would like for you to consider moving your things off-site completely. Here’s why: the garage will need to be used for materials used in the remodel. As a general contractor, I like to order my materials early and have them delivered to the site before I begin the project. The garage is the perfect place for these materials. Doing this allows me to make sure nothing is broken and that there are enough materials. Knowing these things before keeps your project moving along.
The basement is less than ideal because two things happen: the electricity, plumbing, and HVAC are all usually accessed in the basement, and it will get very dusty and dirty.
Where Are You Going To Stay?
It is virtually impossible to live in a home that is a construction zone. As a general contractor, if I have a client who attempts to do this. I explain that I will charge a hefty fee for the extra time it would take for me to manage a whole home remodel with people living in the middle of it. Plan now where you will go and how long you can stay there.
Closing
Remodeling a home can be a very rewarding experience if you do it right. You will enjoy living in your new space, and you will love knowing your home will bring more should you decide to sell. However, remodeling a home can also be very stressful if you don’t mentally prepare yourself. I encourage you to think about and plan for how you will pay for the project, research and get an idea of cost, set a goal for the overall project, and make a plan for you and your things during the remodel.
For more free information on home remodeling, visit my blog. I want you to remodel your home without fear of being ripped off, going massively over budget, or having your home torn up for months.
If you are already working on a home remodel and need some friendly, honest advice on what to do next, sign up for my 1-on-1 coaching! For 30 minutes, I will answer any question about home remodeling and work as hard as possible to get you over whatever is hanging you up.