Did you know that in 2022, U.S. homeowners spent an average of $8,484 on improving their abodes? This year, about 1 in 5 surveyed homeowners claim they plan to spend even more. By contrast, about 28% said they’d do the opposite, but they’d still renovate or remodel.
Regardless of the group you belong to, it’s vital you carefully plan your home renovations. Doing so can reduce your risks of exceeding your budget or not completing your project on time.
Below are our top tips for renovating a house with the fewest hurdles possible, so read on.
1. Prioritize Before You Fantasize
Depending on the renovation projects you wish to complete, you may have to spend more than if you do a remodel. That’s because the former involves restoring, repairing, and improving extensively damaged structures. By contrast, remodeling changes the functions of a room, damaged or not.
So when renovating your home, prioritize the areas that require immediate repairs. For example, consider kitchen renovations for broken tiles, cracked countertops, or old plumbing. You can then include that new island you’ve been fantasizing about if your budget has more leeway.
2. Plan and Budget
Once you’ve decided what to renovate, list all your goals and arrange them in a checklist. Then, write all the necessary tools and materials for each. That way, you can organize your project better and avoid forgetting to buy essentials.
Next, obtain price quotes for necessary materials from at least three suppliers. Do the same with labor fees if you need to hire a contractor. That can help you negotiate better and lower rates.
Sum everything up to determine how much you can expect your renovation to cost. If it’s within your budget, stick to it; if not, consider rescheduling non-priority items.
3. Secure Necessary Permits
Most of the time, renovations that alter your home’s footprint require permits. These include projects that involve extensive roofing, plumbing, and electrical work.
Failure to get the necessary permits can result in the delay or suspension of your project.
4. Don’t Overestimate Your DIY Abilities
Aside from permits, some renovations may also require enlisting licensed contractors. An example is a project involving installing, repairing, or replacing electrical wires.
Please don’t DIY such jobs; instead, hire licensed electricians. Otherwise, you’re at risk of electrical shock injuries or burns that can land you in the hospital.
5. Don’t Forget the After-Project Clean-up
Most renovation projects generate waste that local waste collection services don’t accept. These include household hazardous waste (HHW), such as paint, lightbulbs, and batteries. Anything labeled with “Caution,” “Corrosive,” “Danger,” or “Flammable” also fall under HHW.
Proper disposal of hazardous waste requires dropping them off at an HHW facility.
As for non-hazardous renovation waste and debris, your local waste collectors accept them. These include bricks, tiles, wood, glass, plastic, and metals, to name a few.
However, your project’s waste may exceed your collector’s limitations. In that case, consider investing in dumpster rental services. That way, you can dispose of all your non-hazardous waste in one go.
Follow These Tips for Renovating a House
Renovating a house can help improve one’s quality of life. Indeed, 93% of U.S. homeowners who completed renovations in 2022 reported such. Still, 80% admitted they went beyond their budget.
So long as you follow our strategies, you can enjoy the same benefit yet lower your odds of overspending.
For more home design tips and lifestyle guides like this, check out our other recent news and blog posts!
