Top Tips on Residential Home Renovation and Repair

Renovating a home can be a lot of work; if it is your first time, you may not know where or how to start. Setting expectations and doing your due diligence to find a good contractor will go a long way toward an efficient renovation or repair. Below are some tips to help you get started for a smooth renovation process.

Consult a Realtor for the Best ROI

Realtors are the best source to ask about home projects and how much value they will add. If your main goal is to get the best ROI from your renovation, find a local realtor to consult. They will be able to guide you through some of the best renovations to do in your home to boost its value. They may also help you steer clear of expensive projects that won’t add much value to your house. Realtors are also very well-connected with other experts like contractors and will be able to give you recommendations on trusted professionals in the area.

Set Goals for Your Renovation

What do you want to accomplish from your renovation? Write out everything you want and need

for your home renovation to ensure everything is transparent right from the start. Identify the

projects you want to complete, your budget, how you want things to look, and what timeline you

are looking for. Going into a renovation with everything fleshed out ahead of time can help you

avoid delays or miscommunications down the line.

Create a Realistic Budget

On the topic of setting goals, your budget should be realistic and well-planned. Make sure to include the cost of materials, labor, permits, and any additional items. Understand what you would like to spend and what projects fit realistically in that budget. Make sure to keep around 10% of the budget free for any unexpected costs.

To get a better understanding of cost, get estimates from a few different contractors. Depending on pricing, you may need to go back and set priorities and eliminate costlier projects. Remember that trying to cut corners and save money may result in more work down the line.

Hire Trusted Contractors

In order to ensure your renovations are done properly, make sure to hire contractors who are reputable. Do your research with the Better Business Bureau and read through any reviews they have. You can even ask around to friends, neighbors, or on social sites like Facebook or NextDoor to learn about others’ experiences and who they have used. You may also want to reach out to your state’s consumer protection agency to ensure they do not have any history of disputes that may spell out trouble down the road. Ultimately, trust your gut and do your research. Getting in touch with your realtor may also be a good avenue, as they also tend to know good local contractors who they can connect you with.

Read and Understand Your Contract

Once you hire a contractor and set expectations, you should receive a contract. If you do not, reach out immediately and get one written up before any work is completed. Make sure the contract is thorough and outlines all pertinent information regarding the renovation and repairs. The contract should include your address, a start and end date, and a detailed description of what work they will be doing. It’s also important to understand whether your contract is a fixed-price contract or not. If it is not fixed-price, you may be hit with unexpected increases down the line.

Prepare for Your Renovation

Preparing for a renovation entails two things: mental and physical preparation. First, mentally prepare yourself for what it means to be going through a renovation. This means people in and out of your home, noise, delays or snags, expenses, and a disruption to the normal flow of your household. It will all be worth it in the end, but knowing what you are getting into beforehand can help you handle frustration later on.

To physically prepare for renovation, you may need to move some things around. Depending on what you have done, you will likely need to remove furniture and items fully from a room and make space for them elsewhere. You may need to make a makeshift kitchen for a while or transfer bedrooms temporarily. If you have pets, take the time to set up a safe space for them to keep them out of harmful ways while things are going on around the house.

Keep Open Communication

Throughout the entire project, make sure to communicate with your contractors often. If you see something you don’t like, speak up while things can still be fixed rather than later when the project is finished. Understand that they are likely working on other projects, so don’t expect a response right away, but they should be responsive within a reasonable timeframe.

The most important thing you can do for yourself is to ensure you are comfortable with everything before you get started. If you have any hesitations, make sure to address them and take adequate steps to have full confidence in your contractor.

If you need any recommendations or would like guidance on where to start, make sure to reach

out to me for help!