Plan ahead to avoid potential home renovation mistakes

Home renovations can be a challenging undertaking depending on how well you plan for the activity. There is the potential risk of things going contrary to your expectations. Before you start considering any renovations to your home, it is important to ask yourself why you are renovating and how you want your home to look like. So just what do you need to know before you renovate?

The Expected Budget

Before you start renovating, it is important that you understand the costs associated with the process. This is perhaps one of the most important factor when renovating. Be sure not to spend more than your budget. More importantly, ensure that you have a contingency fund in case of any emergencies. You can also save a lot of funds by doing a cost comparison on some of the items required during the renovation. Try the Houseace Renovation Calculator to get a quick, accurate budget together.

Be Realistic

If you want to have a great experience when renovating your home without any home renovation mistakes, be realistic regarding what you are able to accomplish based on your budget. Many homeowners are often tempted to live beyond their means just to get that gorgeous gourmet kitchen. If you are committed to having a marble bathroom and a gourmet kitchen that you can’t afford, try and renovate in phases. You can start with what you feel is a priority and compromise on the other until you can afford it.

Conduct Some Research

Talk to relatives and friends who have had their homes renovated in the past. Renovation can be an emotional rollercoaster hence the need to understand the expectations. Your research and input is vital for the success of the process. You can clip some photos from home renovation and design magazines for rooms that you love. You can also scour the internet for the latest home design options. If the whole process sounds like a lot of work, you have the alternative of hiring an experienced interior designer.

Think of the Bigger Picture

Renovating your home is all in the details. Even when you are redesigning a particular room, have the final appearance of your home in mind. You can also try to picture the whole neighborhood and how your renovated home will fit in a decade after the renovation. Ensure that you invest in quality finishes that will accessorise your home in future regardless of the changes that are likely to occur in the home design industry.

Follow the Renovation Process Closely

The contractor will tell you that you only need to visit the site once or twice per week. Unless you really trust the person, you need to make your visits to the site as frequent as possible. It is almost impossible to expect that you will have a perfect kitchen or living room and you are not on site to ensure that the process is going according to your expectations. During renovations, mistakes are bound to happen and it is up to you as the homeowner to react and offer guidance.

Adhere to Council Regulations

Find out all about building regulations from your local council. This process is vital particularly if you are carrying out a DIY renovation. If your renovations do not adhere to the council’s regulations, then you risk being slapped with a hefty fine further adding to the cost of renovations. If you happen to hire a professional building contractor, then the contractor should liaise with the local council and obtain the relevant building approvals.

Find the Right Contractor

Finding the right contractor is not for the faint-hearted. You can identify a good contractor through referrals. One should always ensure that anyone working on their property is state licensed, fully insured, and has a good track record for quality work. This is exactly where Houseace comes in – we have a thorough vetting procedure which includes a face to face interview, live site walkthroughs and extensive reference checking. We take out the guess-work when selecting a contractor for your next home renovation project.

People renovate their homes for different reasons. There are those who renovate for profit while others do so for a good lifestyle. At the end, of the day, it does not really matter why you are renovating. The reward in home renovation is watching a space transform into a dream masterpiece as a result of good decisions, workmanship, and choices