Ready for a Home Renovation? Here's What to Know

Ready for a Home Renovation? Here's What to Know

Written by Medina James

A home renovation can be a thrilling but also daunting process. It's natural to have many questions about what to expect before, during, and after your renovation. This blog post from The Lake Life Realty Team will provide you with an overview of what you can expect when undertaking a home renovation project.

Home Renovation Types

There are many different types of home renovations. Some common types of renovations include kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations, basement renovations, and adding a home office. If you have something in mind, it helps to research the components of a specific renovation.

For example, let's say you want to add a home office. You'll first need to consider both the function and the aesthetics of the space. First, think about what you will be using the office for. Will it be for work? For studying? For managing your household finances? 

Once you have a general idea of its purpose, you can start thinking about what kind of look you want for the space. Do you want it to be bright and airy? Or cozy and intimate? Do some research online or in magazines to get ideas for styles that appeal to you.

Set a Timeline and Schedule

Once you decide on the scope of your renovation project, it's time to start planning and establish a timeline for the work to be completed. Your contractor will be able to give you an estimated timeline for the project, and it's important to factor in some buffer time in case of any unforeseen delays. You should also agree on a schedule for the work to be completed. It's important to be realistic about when the work can be done so that it doesn't end up taking longer than necessary and disrupting your daily life more than necessary.

Create a Budget

One of the most important aspects of planning a home renovation is creating a budget and estimating the costs of the project. Once you have a good idea of how much money you're willing to spend, you can start getting quotes from contractors. It's important to get multiple quotes and compare the cost of materials as well as the cost of labor before making any final decisions. You should also make sure that there are no hidden costs or fees that could end up driving up the total price tag unexpectedly.

Comparing Apples to Apples

When you're comparing quotes from different contractors, it's important that you're comparing apples to apples. Make sure that each quote includes all materials, labor, permits, and other fees associated with the project. You should also make sure that each quote is for the same scope of work so that you can accurately compare them. For example, if one contractor is quoting you for a kitchen renovation while another is quoting you for a complete gut job, then it's not an apples-to-apples comparison, and you won't be able to accurately choose between them.

Find the Right Contractor

For any home renovation project, it's crucial to find a capable contractor who can do the job right. The best way to find qualified contractors is by word-of-mouth recommendations from friends or family members who have recently gone through a similar experience. Another great way to find qualified contractors is by checking online reviews from sites like Google or Yelp. You should also make sure that any contractor you're considering is licensed and insured before hiring them for the job.

Understand the Estimation Software

To help you stay on the same page as your contractor, get an idea of the types of apps and software that home contractors use for estimates so you can better understand the process they go through to give you an estimate for your project. With features from construction management software, your contractor will be able to pinpoint more closely how much you can expect to pay for your project.

Communicate Clearly

Another important aspect of any home renovation is communicating your ideas clearly with your contractors. This will help ensure that your vision for the project is executed properly and avoid any misunderstandings or miscommunications along the way. If possible, it's also helpful to provide pictures or examples of what you're hoping to achieve so that there's no confusion about your expectations.

Invest in a Home Warranty

Once your home renovation is complete, it's important to get a home warranty in place so that you're protected in case anything goes wrong with the workmanship down the road. This will give you peace of mind knowing that if anything does go wrong, it will be covered by your warranty, and you won't have to pay out-of-pocket costs to fix it.

Undertaking a home renovation can be both exciting and exhausting, but it doesn't have to be stressful if you're prepared ahead of time. By understanding what to expect throughout the process, you can ensure that everything goes smoothly from start to finish. From budgeting and timeline considerations all the way through finding qualified contractors and getting a home warranty,  careful planning ahead of time makes all the difference for a successful outcome.