Key Considerations Before Starting a Home Remodel

The decision to remodel can be an exciting one for homeowners, but it can also feel overwhelming if they have never undertaken a remodeling project in the past. The project can be even more challenging for homeowners who want to do it themselves. While mistakes will happen, following the tips below can help homeowners avoid some of the most common ones and get the job done faster and more efficiently.

Never Start Painting a Room without Prepping First

Failing to get a room ready for painting before tackling the job can mean missed spots, splatter, drips onto the floor and baseboards, and other frustrating problems. To avoid these issues, remove all furniture from the room before starting the painting job and place drop cloths on the floor. Removing all outlet covers and covering them with painter’s tape is also important since it prevents paint from dripping into the outlets.

Some people will also need to scrape peeling and flaking paint from the wall with a putty knife before applying new paint. This allows the new coat to go on fresh and even. It may be necessary to patch holes in the wall with spackle or a patching kit as well.

Don’t Forget About Local Building Codes

Homeowners sometimes don’t realize that the changes they make to their home aren’t entirely up to them. Major remodeling projects may require the approval of the city’s building inspector before the homeowner can get underway. This is most common when installing a new pool, adding another room, or installing new electrical, mechanical, or plumbing structures. The best way to prevent unnecessary delays in the remodeling project and potentially a fine from the city is to check first to determine whether the proposed work requires building inspector approval.

Create a Realistic Budget and Timeline for Completing the Home Improvement Project

Even homeowners who dedicate time to researching the costs of a home remodel project often feel sticker shock when faced with the actual costs. One reason for the discrepancy between what they planned and what really transpires is that it’s impossible to know if certain problems will crop up after starting the project. For example, homeowners may discover mold or rodents inside of a wall after tearing it down to expand a room. To have a better chance at staying on budget, it’s important to factor in at least 10 percent for unexpected costs.

Home improvement projects can also take much longer than anyone expected. People doing their own work at home should not overestimate their efficiency, especially when tackling home improvement for the first time. Like the budget, adding in extra time for unforeseen circumstances can prevent a lot of frustration.

Arrange for Demolition and Debris Material Pick-Up

Knocking down a wall or demolishing an old shed no one has used in years can feel immensely satisfying. That feeling may not last long, however, when homeowners realize they now have a large pile of debris to look at every day. Factoring demolition and debris material pick-up into the budget eliminates this problem. Not only does it get the unattractive piles of broken materials out of the way, homeowners don’t need to do any of the hauling themselves. They can also feel good that much of the material will be recycled rather than ending up in local landfills.