For many, home represents a safe foundation of their lives. Our house is a nesting ground in which our personal sanctuaries get to take on our unique flavor. Thus, homes where families are raised, creative projects are birthed, and nourishing food is cooked deserve to be touched with excellence. That’s where home remodeling comes in!
Ultimately, our homes are our personal spaces where we feel a sense of belonging, safety, and security. Home remodeling allows us to reflect on our personal growth and changes, adding creative touches that make our dwellings uniquely ours.
Ready to Remodel Your Home? Here are 5 Ways to Begin
Home makeovers are often seen as necessary but can be delayed for years. Whether it’s due to uncertainty about where to start or the overwhelming cost, here are some tips to help you get started.
Don’t forget to embrace feelings of excitement for the transformation process, and start by declaring your intention to add more value to your home.
1. Make a List of Everything You Want to Change
Maybe it’s the bathroom that needs new tiles or walls, or the hallway with bleak-white walls. Perhaps the kitchen desperately needs some attention, love, and care.
Identify the areas that need the most attention and write them down. Creating a list of priorities is a great first step toward achieving clarity on your home remodeling goals and objectives.
2. Get Everyone at Home on Board with Remodeling
Whether you are the sole homeowner or not, getting the rest of your family members on board can alleviate the pressure of doing it on your own. Consider sitting down with everyone and opening up a discussion about the changes you’d like to make.
You may be surprised and inspired by the ideas of others. The more you can work as a team, the more your creative juices will flow.
3. Create a Game Plan
Without a game plan, remodeling can feel overwhelming. So, create a tentative game plan to start making your dreams a reality. Remember, nothing at this point has to be concrete—this is the part of the journey where you get to envision what changes you would like for your home.
Put aside time every day for a week to create a vision board while researching the approximate costs of every change you’d like to implement. This way, once you’re ready to take the next step and consult a professional remodeling service, you can have clearer conversations about your budget and vision.
4. Establish a Budget
Before reaching out to contractors, establish a budget. This step will require you to assess your finances and estimate realistic goals. Ask yourself whether your renovation costs are for aesthetic reasons, functional purposes, or to add value to your home.
It may be a combination of all three, but identifying if it’s for functional purposes, for instance, will help you prioritize which renovations are top priority. Remember that many aesthetics can be creatively modified to fit your budget whereas functional costs require certain high-quality materials.
Don’t forget to account for hidden costs when planning your budget. Consider the possibility of higher utility bills, insurance, structural changes, permit fees, and installing appliances. Not to mention, it’s always wise to leave room for changing your mind! A good rule of thumb is to allocate 30% of your budget toward discretionary spending to account for hidden renovation costs.
5. Consult a Professional Home Remodeling Agency
Large renovations can take anywhere from 6 months to a year, so it’s important to fully understand the project’s details. Moving from the planning stage to the estimate and execution stages often requires a team of skilled professionals to achieve the beauty you want in your home.
Beware of agencies or contractors who give you low estimates. More often than not, these are too good to be true and result in further problems down the line. Honesty and sincerity are key aspects of making your renovation dreams possible. Working with a professional team helps make all the difference for a seamless journey.
Some questions to ask contractors or a home remodeling company to gauge their professionalism are:
- What licensing do you have? (Make sure they’re bonded & insured)
- How do you bill?
- How do you track billing?
- Do you work with project managers?
- How often will you provide updates?
- When can you begin work?
- What is the estimated timeline for this project?
- What happens if something goes wrong during the process?
- What happens if something goes wrong with the finished product a year after?
Renee Remodels Can Help
Renee Remodels prides itself on always delivering above and beyond client expectations. Staying updated with the latest trends, products, and designs is our top priority. Our services include new homes and renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, painting, wall finishes, and flooring finishes.
Not to mention, we specialize in high-end home renovations, bringing a multifaceted approach, creative insight, and extensive expertise to projects in the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Lakeland areas. Read more about our process and consult with us online to get started today!
