How Do You Start Planning A Full Home Renovation?

How Do You Start Planning A Full Home Renovation?

 

Starting a home renovation can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never done one before. Whatever the project, your remodel will involve a plethora of details that can quickly become overwhelming.

Use these steps and tips for planning a home remodel to decide how to order, prioritize, and create a detailed home project plan that will help you reduce stress while staying on budget and on schedule.

1. Build a Detailed Home Improvement Project Plan

The first step in any remodeling project is to create a plan that clearly states your renovation’s goal and includes design inspiration as well as an outline of the work that needs to be completed.

Your project plan should also include the following items:

    • Sketches or blueprints of your completed project
    • A list of your project’s requirements and desires.
    • Project steps are divided into two categories: do-it-yourself and professional.

Investigate local zoning regulations and permits at this stage of home renovation planning. Check to see if your neighborhood is zoned for your remodel (some renovations, such as garage conversions, are not permitted everywhere) and if you’ll need a permit. You will almost certainly need a permit if you are completing a project that will change the structure of your home or the use of a room. Wait until you’ve hired a team and created a project timeline before applying for permits.

When to Start: 6 to 12 months before you’d like to start your project

2. Set a Project Budget

When planning a home renovation, the next step is to determine your budget and financing. Your budget should account for the costs of permits and building materials, as well as labor and decorations or cosmetic touches.

To create your budget, start with:

    • Determine your budget and finalize your financing. Set aside at least 10% of your budget for unanticipated expenses.
    • Professionals should be contacted for cost estimates.
    • Estimate the cost of all necessary materials.

If your cost estimates do not fit within your budget, use the home improvement project plan you created in step one to eliminate project elements that are less important. Request cost estimates from several contractors to determine which option is best for your budget.

When to Start: 3 to 6 months before the start of your project.

3. Hire Contractors

After that, you’ll need to hire your team for your home improvement project. Don’t base your contractor selection solely on cost estimates. Consider the following factors when interviewing and selecting contractors:

    • Years of experience: A contractor with a lot of experience is a better bet than someone who is new to the business.
    • Contracting license: Verify that your contractor has completed all of the necessary steps to obtain any necessary certifications for their line of work.
    • Contractors should have workers’ compensation and liability insurance appropriate for the type of work they do.
    • Request and call references. This is a great way to make sure your contractor isn’t just good on paper.
    • Payment schedule: A reputable contractor won’t ask you to pay the full price upfront, and the Better Business Bureau advises not to. However, it’s important to discuss payment terms before construction begins. In some cases, it’s better to spend a little extra to get someone you’re comfortable working with.

To complete the process, use this checklist to hire contractors.

If you’re hiring multiple contractors for a project, figure out who’s in charge before it starts to avoid any confusion or delays later on.

Do you have a DIY project that you’d like to complete? Make sure you have the expertise and support you’ll need to finish the job without hiring anyone, including confirming the help of friends and family members for when the project begins.

When to Start: 2 to 3 months prior to your start date.

4. Build a Timeline

It’s time to put together your remodeling timeline once you’ve decided on a budget and a team for your project. Choose a desired start date, or work backwards from that date if you want to finish it by a specific date. Meet with your contractors to determine the duration of each project component. Discuss which aspects of the remodel should be completed first, how long they will take, and which parts of the project can be completed simultaneously.

Also, double-check your schedule to ensure that:

    • Time to clean up the project area is included in this estimate.
    • Allows materials to be sent and received.
    • Allow for any vacations that your contractors may take.

To keep track of the project’s progress, use a calendar. Set a completion date that allows for a few days of wiggle room in case of unforeseen issues. Confirm with your contractors or team members that the timeline is reasonable and on budget.

When to Start: 2 to 3 months prior to your start date.

5. Pack Up and Prepare for Your Home Renovation

Now that you’ve completed your home project planning, it’s time to prepare the space and make plans to avoid using it while it’s being built. Whether or not you should stay in your home while it is being renovated depends on the work that is being done. Are you thinking about remodeling your kitchen? Construct a makeshift kitchen and dining area, and remove all of your dishes and small appliances. Do you want to renovate your master bedroom? Make new sleeping arrangements and find a storage space for your belongings. If you’re planning a major home renovation, you may want to consider moving out for a while.

When to Start: Make plans two to three months before your start date; pack and move one to two weeks before your start date.

 

Are You Planning a Full Home Remodel?

 

If you’re considering a whole house remodel, New Key Construction, based in Walnut Creek California, is here to serve you. Our passion is to be the home for talented craftsmen who deliver beautiful projects to clients throughout the SF East Bay Area! Choosing the right general contractor for your project can be difficult, but we make things easy by focusing on Your Experience, Client Communication, Cutting Edge Technology, and Pushing Our Design and Build Limits!  If we could have one goal, it would be that when someone you know is looking for a contractor you highly recommend our company because of the experience we deliver for you! Check out our website, our portfolio, and our reviews to learn more – or give us a call today!