If you’re planning the renovations you want to complete on your property in 2019, to either get a higher price when you sell or to make your home look as stylish and modern as possible, it’s necessary to be strategic and practical when preparing for the work. After all, renovations can costs many thousands of dollars and easily go over budget — plus create a lot of stress if you don’t take the time to think through each stage carefully and make wise decisions. Before you start pulling up carpets, knocking down walls or hiring trades people, there are tasks you should complete to give your project the best possible chance of going smoothly. Read on for five top remodel work to do ASAP.
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Consider Finances
One of the most important things to do before you start work on your home is consider the finances involved. To avoid blowing too much money because you over-extend yourself as the remodel work progresses, set yourself a budget.
Start by deciding what final amount you feel comfortable putting into the project, and then work back from there to determine how much you can spend on each part of the remodel and what can and can’t be included to make that budget stay on track. When doing your budgeting, make sure you think about various expenses, such as labor, materials, insurance, council permits, legal fees, accountancy costs and the like.
Think about Potential Hidden Costs
When you’re getting ready to renovate, think about the types of potential costs that could cause problems for you if you haven’t allocated a decent buffer into your budget. Projects always go over on time and money to a certain degree, but sometimes it’s the unexpected problems that really make remodeling work a nightmare.
For example, once demolition work begins, you could find termites have been causing structural damage or that a leaking pipe or faulty wiring needs to be addressed ASAP. You might need to have specialists on hand who can help with fire and smoke damage, such as Service Master Restore, or you could need asbestos removed or an additional structural support beam put in the roof. Investigate the real condition of your home before remodel work start, and you’ll be better able to plan, budget and cope with the project as a whole.
Learn What Adds Value in Your Area another key step is learning what sdds value in your area. To avoid overcapitalizing on your home, understand what target buyers typically look for when they compare properties. This can vary from suburb to suburb and sometimes even from street to street within a suburb.
Even if you are just doing the remodeling for yourself at this stage, it helps to keep other people in mind, so if and when you do decide to sell, you will be able to get a return on the investment you put in. Check out online listings of properties in your area, and attend a variety of open homes and auctions. Also, speak with local real estate agents to find out what they find are the most requested features in homes in your area.
Develop a Plan of Attack for the Remodels
Once you have your budget in place, to stick with it, it helps to develop a plan of attack for your remodels. Schedule the work project, as best you can, by talking with your builder or other tradespeople about how long different tasks will take.
This time frame may change as work progresses, but thinking through a plan of what needs to be done in what order will help you combat stress, feel more in-control and even save time and money. By understanding which workers need to finish their jobs for new people to come and do the next task, you will be better able to coordinate staff and ensure you have all the necessary materials on site when required.
Find the Right Contractors for Your Needs unless you or close friends are builders, tradespeople or otherwise experienced and licensed renovators, you’ll likely have to hire outside help to complete the work on your home. It is important, therefore, that you get the right person or team for the job.
Research those who are experienced, licensed, insured and work in your area regularly. Look for people with excellent social media reviews and who have done the exact type of design and features you want to update your home with. Make sure you get quotes in writing, too, so whoever you end up choosing can’t suddenly increase the price as the project progresses.
