When you finally find your perfect home, you immediately know the location is ideal and your new property most likely still has enormous potential.
If you are among the 82% of millennials who are more likely to buy a fixer-upper than a newly built home, you are probably excited to bring our remodeling vision to life as quickly as possible.
Many new homeowners can get caught off guard by how long renovations can take — even if everything goes according to plan.
From hiring the right professionals to getting necessary approvals, here are Six Surprising Facts To Know Before Remodeling Your Home.
1. Work begins before construction starts.
When renovating, you’ll need to set plans and obtain permits before construction begins — even if you don’t plan to do everything at once.
To complete your home renovation, you may have to have several foundation inspections done and hire a structural engineer to ensure your roof won’t cave in if you intend to knock down walls. You may also hire a carpenter to reframe and build walls, drywallers to finish new walls, painters, an electrician, a plumber and a general contractor to oversee the work on a daily basis. A cabinet builder can help create your custom kitchen, and a fabricator can install stone slabs for your countertops. You may need a stonemason to “float” your floors and install tile in the shower.
After setting out to hire professionals based on internet searches, you’ll quickly learn how challenging it is to find people who are available within a year. Having inspiration photos for reference is helpful when communicating your vision to professionals. Tools like Pinterest and Houzz make it easy to find ideas.
2. Living at home during your remodel may require a temporary lifestyle change.
Living at home during your renovation may mean making big lifestyle adjustments, such as having the internet cut out without notice and living with loud noises for a period of time. You may have to live without a full kitchen for a year — something that might not work for everyone. You may also have to repair your roof in two phases, which wasn’t as efficient but makes it possible for you to stay in your home.
On the plus side, living at home while a renovation takes place can help you save money. It also enables you to see work unfold in real time and be available to consult with contractors or make last-minute decisions. Spending evenings in each space once the crew leaves for the day can give you a good feel for how everything is coming along.
3. Your renovation may take longer than expected.
There are many things you can plan for when you renovate, but like any large project, there are often factors outside of your control that can contribute to delays and shifting timelines. You may encounter delays from the permit department and have to change your plans.
Prioritization goes a long way when renovating. We recommend to start with the most time-consuming part of your project and go from there. Working closely with your contractors to establish a plan and readjusting together as needed along the way is not only smart but much appreciated by us contractors, too.
4. You may spend more than originally planned.
Some projects turn out to be bigger than anticipated. In some cases, you may have to fix previous, poor-quality craftsmanship. With unexpected costs like these, you may be challenged to regroup on other parts of your project.
When planning for a home renovation, it’s a smart idea to buffer an extra 20% into your budget for unforeseen circumstances. Whether it’s inflation and increasing cost of materials, unexpected damage or a need to change plans, you’ll be well prepared.
5. The little things add up quickly, too.
You home may be in major need of repair when you buy it. Old appliances may quickly call for making countless purchases, from the kitchen sink and faucet to hardware.
Shopping online makes it easy to compare prices across items, categories and sites, but you can also use coupons and score deals when things go on sale. Some sites offer alerts when prices drop, while others offer cash-back incentives. Doing your research will pay off.
6. When renovating, balance personal taste with investment considerations.
Making smart upgrades — such as updating a kitchen or adding a bathroom — can help your home appreciate in value if you decide to sell it in the future. But it’s important to balance wise investment decisions with your personal taste.
Many of our clients these days splurge on stone floors in their homes for a more modern look. Stone is also more durable, and won’t scratch easily from furniture or pets.
Despite rising home prices, 73% of Americans who were surveyed agree that buying a home is a good investment right now. When debating whether to splurge or save, it can be helpful to remember there are two types of appreciation.
The first is an increase in your home’s market value, and the second is how much you enjoy your home. If you plan to live in the home for a short time, it may not make as much sense to splurge on something like expensive flooring. However, if you plan to live in the home for many years, it can be a decision that brings you joy — and you can’t put a price on that.
