Maybe you’ve just bought a new home, or maybe you want to revamp a room that’s clearly out-of-date. In either case, a home remodel doesn’t have to be complicated. We’ve teamed up with GoHaus to make planning your next home remodeling project effortless if you follow our 5 easy steps on How to Plan a Home Remodeling Project.
How to Plan a Home Remodeling Project
- Write Down What You Want
The first step is to nail down the end-goal for your project. Are you doing a floor-to-ceiling remodel of a basement to convert it to a game room, or are you updating a kitchen? Determine which room you want to remodel, and everything you want to change. Write down every detail you want, and what the results are when the project is all said and done. Dreaming of new Tigerwood flooring in the living room? Write it down. Take down all necessary measurements of the room, walls, and whatever else that may be replaced. This way, you can better plan the materials and contracted work needed for the remodel. Creating a mood board or Pinterest board will help inspire ideas as well.
- Set a Budget
Every project needs a budget. Set a realistic budget to allow for materials, labor, and unforeseen events. If necessary, do the research on the average cost for a similar project in your area to make sure the costs are within your means. This means getting an estimate from a contractor if you’re planning on outsourcing the work, and researching the average cost of materials online. For example, Home Advisor reports that most homeowners spent between $11,000 and $29,000 on a full kitchen remodel last year. The average kitchen remodel costs $20,000. Make sure these numbers are in-line with what you plan on spending.
- Set a Timeline
Setting a timeline is especially important for large remodeling projects. Be sure to include timing for shipping, acclimation of materials, and installation for each phase of the project. This will help keep both you and your contractor (if you choose to hire one) on schedule. No one wants to be displaced from his or her home for too long!
- Source Materials
Surprisingly, you can find a lot of remodeling materials online at a much cheaper cost than if you were to go to Lowe’s or Home Depot. Since these online stores don’t have to pay for a brick-and-mortar retail space, they transfer their overhead savings into the cost of the product, which makes things cheaper for you! It’s also easy to order samples in case you want to see the materials first before you buy. For example, www.gohaus.com offers 100% free samples for all of their flooring, which includes getting it shipped straight to your doorstep. Not only is this convenient, it frees up your time to shop for contractors!
- Select a Contractor
If you’re not planning on completing the project yourself, you must find a reputable and reliable contractor to do it for you. It’s recommended to interview at least four or five contractors. If you’re not sure where to look, ask friends and family, or check Yelp and Angie’s List. Both of these sources will allow you to read candid reviews of your prospective contractor. During the interview, ask questions about their previous work, get information on insurance, bonding, and permits, and ask for references. Make sure everything checks out. Once you find a contractor that will fit your needs on timeline and costs, request a signed contract that includes all of the agreed upon details.
Get to work!
That’s it! The planning process is done, and now it’s time to execute. Happy remodeling!