Top 5 Things To Consider When Renovating a House

Every now and again we get the urge to upgrade our home. Whether renovating for a change of pace or because the home is long overdue, home renovations are a rewarding experience.

With that said, home renovations require a lot of thought and planning in order to achieve successful results. For this reason, we’re going to share the top 5 things to consider when renovating a house.

1. DIY or Professional Contractor

The first thing you’ll probably think about when approaching your home renovation is whether to go DIY or hire a professional contractor. The DIY process certainly saves money and can be a great option if you’re on a budget. On the other hand, investing in a professional can provide you with great results.

Choosing between DIY or hiring a professional contractor will largely depend on the type of renovations being done and what your current skill level is. If you are not skilled at doing home renovation projects, this could be more trouble than it’s worth.

It’s common to finish a project only to later find that something wasn’t done properly. However, if you’ve done a renovation before and are knowledgeable about the project, this can be a great way to save money.

With that said, hiring a skilled professional can provide you with high-quality renovations and long-lasting results.

For reference, DIY is good for purchasing materials, doing light demolition, and performing certain cosmetics such as painting. A professional is best to address structural damage, asbestos, electricity, and plumbing.

Tip: If you’re going with a professional contractor, ask for referrals first. This increases the likelihood of you getting connected with a contractor who is experienced and provides quality work.

2. Set a Budget

Setting a budget and committing to it is important before starting your renovation. Home renovations can quickly add up and it’s possible to run out of money before finishing the project.

Having a budget and knowing how much you want to spend on each room will ensure that each area of the home will get the needed upgrades.

In order to set a budget, you will need to outline how much everything costs. If some areas of your home are getting too expensive, see where you can bring the cost down. For instance, if you are replacing floors, you can consider laminate instead of wood.

Tip: It’s important to be realistic about how much money you can allocate to your renovation. Additionally, be sure to prioritize the most important projects.

3. Determine Which Items You’re Willing to Splurge on Upfront

When preparing for your home renovation, it’s a good idea to determine which areas of the home you’d like to spend a little more on. Knowing this will help you set a realistic budget and ensure that all of your funds are allocated appropriately.

For instance, you might decide that you want to add granite to the kitchen counters. Granite can be relatively costly, so it’s important to know this beforehand. Understanding which areas of the home you would like to splurge on ensures that you can make your most meaningful renovations.

Tip: If you’re stuck on which areas of your home to spend additional money on, consider upgrading areas that add the most value such as the kitchen, deck, and garage door.

4. Determine the Design of Your Home

Before starting your home renovation project on your bathroom or other part of your home needing to be updated, it’s important to have a clear vision of the home’s design. This not only gives you an idea of the materials you’ll need but you’ll be prepared for your renovation overall.

There will be a lot of decisions to make once the project begins, the last thing you want to do is still make design decisions once the project has started. Ultimately, having a clear understanding of how you want to design your home beforehand helps you set your expectations of the design outcome and ensures you are satisfied with the end results.

Tip: Use websites like Pinterest and Instagram to gather your design ideas. It’s a good idea to create a digital or physical mood board that helps you articulate the aesthetic you’re going for.

 5. Consider The Time of Year

The time of the year might not be at the top of your list of concerns but it is something to consider depending on the type of renovations you will be making.

If all of your renovations are being done indoors, the weather won’t have much bearing. However, if you need to do outside work such as roofing or installing a patio, it’s a good idea to evaluate the weather conditions.

For instance, January through March could be a good time to dig up foundations since the ground is more likely to be frozen and the air is dry. At the same time, April through June is a great time for projects involving decks and patios because the ground is softer.

Tip: Create a list of everything you plan to remodel in your home. Once you’ve gathered your list, check to see if any project will require special weather conditions to ensure you are moving forward with projects in the right season. This will help you stay organized and help avoid having to stop mid-project due to weather.

Renovations are an excellent way to upgrade an existing house and make it like new again. If you’re thinking about renovating a house, it’s important to be prepared. Be sure to take these 5 renovation tips into consideration before starting your next project.

See what your home renovation can look like in the Arizona Tile Just Imagine Visualizer.