Remodeling your home — or even just part of it — is a big decision. From simply replacing your floors to knocking down walls and changing the layout, it’s important to know what you’re getting into and what to expect.
Define the Project’s Scope
When thinking of renovating your home, the first step is to determine your vision for the project.
For instance, do you want the kitchen or bathroom of your dreams or are you just updating to maintain the value of your home?
“The answer to this question is critical,” says Matt Cholko, president of Total Home Design & Remodeling in Annandale. “Your dream kitchen will likely cost more, and it might mean you need an interior designer or a luxury-focused contractor.”
You may want to move some walls or make other changes that impact areas beyond the room you plan to remodel.
On the other hand, if your primary concern is maintaining your home’s value, Cholko says, you may be able to spend less by not changing the layout.
“This may mean you can work with a lower cost contractor and skip the professional design,” he says.
Determine Your Budget
Be realistic about what you can spend, Cholko advises.
“If you don’t know exactly what things cost, be honest with contractors about that as remodel professionals can often find ways to accommodate a wide range of budgets,” he says.
However, to do that, the contractor may need to know what you can afford and what you hope to achieve with your remodeling project.
“Make sure you have some money set aside for cost overruns and surprises that may come up during construction,” Cholko says.
In general, it’s a good idea to have about 10 percent of the total cost of the project available for overruns.
“Keep in mind that depending on the age of your home, the quality of work done previously, and the complexity of your project, you may need to adjust that amount,” Cholko says. “Your contractor can help you figure this out.”
Choose Your Contractor
Determining your goals and budget ahead of time are critical to finding the right contractor.
“You probably wouldn’t go with a high-end design build contractor for a basic remodel or if budget is your primary concern,” notes Cholko. “But, if you are trying to create the home of your dreams, that design-build firm, or even an independent interior designer, might be right for you.”
Once you’ve narrowed down the type of company you need, look through the portfolio of companies that interest you to see if their style matches yours.
“Check reviews, get references, and then actually call those references,” Cholko says. “There’s no better way to learn about the company you are about to trust with your home than talking to people that have already been through the process.”
Determine the Timeline
Once your project has been planned and you have decided with whom you will work, you should talk to your contractor about the projected timeline, Cholko says.
“Keep in mind that there are many factors that can affect how long it will take to complete your project,” he says. “Be flexible and try to have an idea of how you will deal with delays or extensions to the timeline.”
While it is reasonable to expect your contractor to complete the project in a timely manner, you don’t want to push a renovator to rush the job.
Know What to Expect
It is also important to know what to expect during the renovation process.
“Living through remodels can be difficult and stressful,” Cholko says. “Many projects are dirty, noisy, and just generally disruptive to life in the home.”
“They may also take up more space than just the area under construction, because additional space is often needed for storage and staging,” he says.
Talk to friends who have been through major remodel projects to learn what it was like.
“Also, talk to your contractor about what will happen during the construction process,” Cholko says. “Just try to be prepared as your home may not be the relaxing place that you’re used to.”
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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