So you’ve decided to make your home remodeling dreams a reality. Remodeling your home is a significant deal, whether you just acquired a house that needs an overhaul or you are finally able to accomplish the remodel you’ve always wanted to do. Use our simple guide below and our renovating a house checklist to keep your home remodel project on budget and on schedule. When it comes to the expense of remodeling, preparation is critical. A house makeover can quickly run off the tracks with all the details to remember. KC Dumpster is here to help.
Renovating a House Checklist Step by Step
Step 1: Write Down Your Home Remodeling Ideas
Make a plan
Every grand undertaking starts with inspiration and a plan. First, you will need to decide why you want to renovate. For example, you may have necessary repairs, or you may want to create a more open floor plan for a more modern look. Once you know your “why” your plans will be much easier to create.
Write Down Your Priorities
After you’ve determined your why, consider your priorities. For example, if Grandma is coming to live with you, you may need to make accommodations for easy entry, or even wheelchair-friendly doors, and more. If you are an artist, you may want large windows for added natural light. You’ll have a better notion of where the wiggle room is in the budget once you know what you can’t live without.
Establish a Budget
Once you know your priorities, it is crucial to create a budget for your home renovation project. Additionally, it is a good idea to pad your budget by 10 to 25 percent to account for unanticipated expenses. Adding a bit of padding to your budget allows you to prepare for any unexpected costs, such as water damage discovered beneath tile, as well as changes in plans. Changes in plans might include deciding you need a larger window than you originally planned.
Additionally, make sure you take into account what it will take to clean up after your home renovations. KC Dumpster is the go-to company for dumpster rentals in Kansas City. Our affordable dumpster rentals are delivered right to your door and we haul away the trash when it is time.
Value Versus Cost ROI
When preparing your property for sale, you undoubtedly want to recoup your investment. So when considering a renovation job, use sites like HomeAdvisor to investigate a typical cost. Then look at the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s Remodeling Impact Report (NARI). It not only shows the amount of value typically recovered from a project, but it also includes a Joy Score – a score from 1 to 10 that measures how much enjoyment homeowners get from a specific project.
If you do not want to sell your property, the Joy Score is a crucial figure to consider. After all, you can enjoy your new kitchen cabinetry or bathroom spa tub until you decide it’s time to sell your home.
Collect Ideas for Your Home Renovation Project
With your budget in mind, imagine how your refurbished room will look. Have you ever visited a home improvement store to look at fixtures, floor coverings, or appliances? Do you know what your style is? Many design professionals recommend starting with Pinterest.
Look for phrases like “farmhouse-style kitchens” or “master suite designs” on Pinterest. This image-driven platform serves up photos connected to websites that you may “Pin” to your virtual bulletin board. Once you’ve gathered a few that you like, look for similar themes or elements. They will assist you and your contractor in achieving the look of your ideas.
Establish a Deadline
If you’re working on a tight deadline, it’s critical to keep that date in mind when interviewing contractors to ensure they can accommodate you. The prospective contractor should ask you when you want the job finished. Set a deadline even if you aren’t in a rush today. It will set the pace for the job and ensure that everything runs well.
When planning a remodeling job, keep in mind that there is a specific order for most jobs. For example, the installer may complete his work within a month, but the plumber may not arrive for six weeks. To ensure that everything works together, use a calendar and plot each stage of the job.
Step 2: Conduct Research and Obtain Estimates
Once you’ve written down your dreams, it’s time to find someone who can make them a reality. But, before you start hunting for your soulmate in house remodeling, consider which, if any, components of the task you can do on your own. According to NARI’s 2019 Remodeling Impact Report, 13% of homeowners did some do-it-yourself (DIY) work on their projects. If this fits you, you should look for a contractor willing to work with and around a do-it-yourselfer.
According to the survey, 36% completed the project themselves, 35% engaged a professional for the entire task, and 14% hired the labor but purchased the materials.
Inquire About Referrals
Once you have a home remodeling plan and dreams figured out, it’s time to inquire about contractors. “Sarah, did you recently remodel your kitchen?” First, inquire as to who did the work. What about your next-door neighbor or coworker? If you can’t find someone through your contacts, look through the listings on sites NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry), and be sure to look at reviews.
Consider Reviews and Credentials
Begin your research with a list of potential contractors. Examine their websites and hunt for similar jobs in their work portfolios. Examine the testimonials and check if they are members of trade groups such as the National Association of Home Builders or NARI.
Check to see if your contractor is licensed and insured for the scope of your project. To verify this information, visit your state’s licensing page online. You can check out if they have the right qualifications and if they’ve ever had a claim filed against them.
Using the information you’ve gathered, narrow your selection down to two or three contractors you’d want to interview.
Get Estimates
Before you hire a contractor, we recommend getting at least two to three estimates from different companies. The contractor will visit your home to view the prospective job before providing you with a bid. To provide an accurate bid, they will need to measure and take pictures. The contractor may also include subcontractors depending on your overall project.
The contractor will then provide a draft of his interpretation of the renovation you are looking for to get your approval and then provide you with his bid. This process may take anywhere from four to six weeks.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
It’s a terrifying prospect to welcome a stranger into your home to tear it apart and reassemble it into an updated version. So, in addition to reviewing your contractor’s references, licenses, and insurance information, you should inquire about permits, inspections, the number of personnel you can expect in your home, and how to contact him.
Time to Hire
Once you’ve finalized the design, got a complete list of materials, and an estimate that fits within your budget, it’s time to hire. Check all of the specifics, including the timeline and details, payment plan, and what to do if there are any challenges to settle.
Step 3: Make Your Space Available
Prepare the room for your renovation project to help it get off to a strong start. You don’t want workers arriving on Monday morning to discover the kitchen cabinets they’re removing piled high with plates. You also don’t want your possessions to be harmed or covered in dust and trash.
Rent an Onsite Storage Container
At times like this, all homeowners struggle to find a space for all of their belongings. If you require storage, consider hiring a portable storage container to keep your possessions safe while keeping them close at hand. There’s no need to transport anything across town to a storage unit when portable storage can be delivered right to your driveway. And, if you need something in the middle of a project, you can go out to the container and grab it whenever you want.
Make Alternate Living Arrangements
What will you do if you don’t have a kitchen or a bathroom? Will you have to relocate for an extended period? Is it possible to stay with relatives? While your kitchen is undergoing renovation, you can use a microwave in the laundry room. There are ways to establish temporary living space within your own home.
Take Priority Photos
Any time you have a significant home renovation, it is good to document the project from start to finish. Remember to take pictures before demolition, during the renovation, and once the project is complete!
Step 4: Complete Your Renovating House Checklist
You’ve hired your contractor and signed the contract. It is now time to make the transition from old to new. A few things will help put wind in your sails when it comes to getting it done.
Remain Available
Ensure that your contractor and main subs have your contact information. Check the work regularly to catch any errors or miscommunications before they become too serious.
Be Timely
Delays are bound to happen due to rain, machinery issues, delays in delivering materials, or even issues with staff becoming ill. Planning for potential delays and staying positive when they occur will help alleviate any stress that may come with home renovation.
Create a Punch List
When the job is nearly finished, compile a list of any minor details that may have been overlooked. Next, check the list with your contractor to ensure it does not include any items he assumed you would handle. Then, wait until everything is complete before making the final payment.
Celebrate Your Home Renovation
After your home renovation is complete and you have gone through your renovating a house checklist, it is time to give yourself and everyone involved a pat on the back. Renovating a house is no easy task, and the clean-up can oftentimes be the most time-consuming part. Consider renting a dumpster for your home projects to help haul away the trash and debris. KC Dumpster’s dumpster rentals are delivered timely and to the right spot. After the dumpsters are loaded, we haul away the trash.
Lastly, take images of the job well done, share them on social media, and provide evaluations for the contractors once you have moved your items into the portable storage container. Invite a few buddies to join you in celebrating. Relax, have fun, and enjoy your dream home!
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