Renovating your home is an exciting prospect, but it can also be stressful. When you’re spending money, and you have grand plans, it’s natural to want everything to run smoothly. If you’re planning a revamp, or you’ve taken on a fixer-upper and you’re preparing to start work, here are some tips to ensure your project is seamless and stress-free.
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Set a budget before you begin
Before you start ordering wall tiles or looking through laminate flooring options, set a budget. It’s critical to go into any renovation project with an accurate idea of how much you can afford to spend and how much you want to devote to each element of the transformation. Analyze your finances and use your money wisely. Focus on aspects that will enhance the value of your property and prioritize tasks that are most important to you. If you don’t have an endless supply of money, there may well be areas where you can make savings. You might be desperate for a modern kitchen-diner with all the bells and whistles, but you may not be as fussed about spending cash on your bedrooms, for example. In this case, you can divide your funds to suit your preferences and requirements.
Measure
One of the most important tasks to make sure you get right when planning renovation works is taking measurements. If you’re hoping to do some work yourself, you’ll need to ensure that all the information you have is accurate. You don’t want to order new windows, or brand new units to find that the glass doesn’t fit, or the kitchen cabinet height is too high. Double-check every measurement before you spend any money or sign any contracts. If you feel like you’ve taken on too much, or you need advice, don’t hesitate to enlist professional help. While there are many jobs that can be done by willing, enthusiastic amateurs, there are several that should be left to the pros.
Look for inspiration
Some people can walk into a room and conjure up a vision of their dream kitchen, living room or bathroom. For others, it can be extremely difficult to picture anything other than what they can see in front of them. When planning an interior revamp, it’s always beneficial to look for inspiration and to get ideas before you make any final decisions. Browse magazines, look online and use your own personal experiences to come up with design ideas. Perhaps you’ve visited a gorgeous hotel that has inspired you, or maybe you’ve been to a friend’s house and you’re keen to recreate a layout or a colorway, for example. It’s useful to keep cut outs, to take photographs and to use screenshots to build a template.
Consider moving out
One of the most challenging aspects of overseeing renovations is trying to live and work when there is building work going on. If you’re trying to survive without hot water, or you haven’t got access to your kitchen, life can be difficult. Before you begin, consider the impact of the plans. For simple, cosmetic revamps, you’ll probably be able to stay put while work is underway. If you have more extensive changes in mind, and it is going to take weeks or even months to finish the project, it’s wise to think about moving out. You could rent somewhere for a short period, move in with friends or family or look into options like living in a campervan or a log cabin, for example. Explore all the options open to you and factor in the cost implications.
Be prepared to dip into your savings pot
If you’ve budgeted for every element of your renovation project, there’s a good chance that you shouldn’t need to dip into your savings pot or an emergency fund, but it’s beneficial to be prepared for unexpected costs. Sometimes, jobs can take longer than planned, which can have a knock-on effect on time-frames and budgets, and there is a chance that you could encounter problems that weren’t visible during the planning stage. If more work is required, or you have to cover repairs, for example, this will bump up prices.
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There’s no doubt that planning a remodel or a revamp is incredibly exciting, but overseeing a project can also be stressful. To eliminate stress and make the process seamless, it’s crucial to plan in advance, to set a budget and to get ideas and inspiration before you set any plans in stone. Figure out what you want, think about the implications for day to day life and consider moving out if it’s going to be difficult to live at home while work is underway. It’s also useful to have a contingency fund, just in case your project goes over budget.