Renovating a home can be a challenge in different ways. It is a test of your planning and organization skills, as well as being a test for your patience! However, turning a building into your dream home is also a fun project, and allows you to really make your mark on a property. If you are looking to start a home renovation project, this guide give you some tips and tricks to help things run smoothly.
Planning
You might have some ideas of what you want to achieve with a home renovation, but before you start stripping out the old woodwork, it is a good idea to have a plan of action.
Make a list of the things that you are able to do yourself, and a list of jobs that you would need to get help from professional services. Make your ideas clear to others by writing or drawing them on a piece of paper. That will help builders and tradesmen get a clear view of your requirements before any works start.
If you need to get permission to make changes to your property, then you need to apply for it and get it granted before you begin work. This mostly applies to heritage buildings, or if you want to extend your property in some way, but it is always best to check beforehand to avoid having to put things back how they were should you not get permission.
Any major work that need to be carried out should be your first priority, as they will affect the outcome of the other parts of your renovation. For example, there is no point in plastering a room if you have broken roof tiles that need replacing, as the rain will simply ruin it. Make sure your property is weather tight before doing any internal remodeling.
Dealing with Contractors
Unless you are a builder by trade, you are likely to need some professional home renovation contractors from Toronto to do some of the work for you. For example, if you are creating additional space by extending your home, you will need foundations laid and drainage put in.
Good communication is key to a successful working relationship with a contractor. Before work starts, get an estimate for the overall cost and time it will take to complete, so both parties know where they stand.
Finances
Do you have enough funds to see your renovation completed? It can be a source of frustration when you are part way through a project, only for this to come to a halt because you have run out of money. Try to work out the approximate costs of each part of your project, and set aside enough funds to complete it. Save a little extra too, to act as a cushion. You might also find that as your project progresses, there are hidden costs that crop up. If you don’t have funds to cover this, it may also slow down your project. For this you might need to consider a short-term loan or credit cards. Do your research first for top credit cards that have low rates of interest, and pay it off quickly once your home renovation is complete.
A home renovation project not only gives you a nice place to live, but it also adds value to your property too. The key thing to think about when planning the finance side of your renovation project, is whether the work you want to do will pay you back financially if you come to sell your home in the future. For example, it is not worth spending thousands on a new kitchen, if it won’t put a larger amount of value on your home. That is unless you plan to live there for a number of years to enjoy it… then it is worth doing. You just have to weigh up the costs, the added value it brings, and your personal plans to find out the best course of action for your home renovation.
Design Ideas
The fun part of any home renovation is the final details, such as choosing what faucet you want in your bathroom, or what color to decorate your living room walls. If you are stuck for inspiration, try creating a mood board to display in a prominent position in your home. It could just be a piece of plywood or cork board, and whenever you see something that inspires you while you are out, take a photo and pin it to your board. You might also find things in magazines that you can pin. Having a place to collect design ideas will help you to find your signature style, making it easier to decide on those finer details. You could also use an online tool such as Pinterest to gather ideas, and this also work well.
Create a Welcoming Space
If you are living in your property while renovating it, it can seem like everywhere you turn there is building dust, wood chippings and small projects that are yet to be completed. After a while, it can start to feel stressful. To combat this, try to have one room in your home where you can shut the door and have a welcoming space for yourself. It is important to be able to give yourself some time away now and then, as it allows you to recharge your energy and motivation for your project. Having a little space away from the hustle and bustle of your home renovation makes a difference. Then, only when everything else is completed, you can start work on that final room.
Renovating your home is an exciting time, but is also a test of your stress levels. When you are in the middle of a home renovation, it can feel like your list of jobs never gets any smaller and that you still have a long way to go. However, remember why you started it and what the finished result will look like, and it will all be worth the effort!
