Emotion is what spurs us to act, and frequently it’s what pushes us headfirst into a home remodeling project. We’re in love with our neighbor’s new kitchen, we’re exasperated from sharing a bathroom with the kids, or we’re excited about hosting our first family holiday at the house.
Home improvement projects can be immensely gratifying once they’re completed, but tempering head with heart can help the process run much more smoothly from start to finish. Here is a list of three key things you should do before calling a contractor for your home remodel:
1. KNOW YOUR "WHY?"
Why are you remodeling? There are plenty of good reasons: The room is out-of-date, the room isn’t functional for your family’s needs, you’re making an investment for future resale, you’re trying to achieve a different look or style.
Keep the reason(s) for remodeling a room in your home front and center throughout the entire renovation process. You don’t want to get to the end of your remodel project and realize the final product doesn’t solve your original need.
2. SURVEY THE LANDSCAPE
It’s time to do some reconnaissance. There are thousands of design websites and magazines that can give you information about features you like and don’t like, as well as what skills and expertise are needed to attain the results you want from your home remodel.
If you can, it’s helpful to check out houses of friends and neighbors or visit local home shows and retail showrooms. Research what the costs of materials and labor are, as well as how much time similar projects have taken to complete. Create a list of must-haves for your remodeled space and a list of would-be-nice-to-haves.
3. SET A BUDGET
Crunch the numbers. Look at your wish list and see if your budget is appropriate for the remodel work that needs to be completed. You should also give yourself a cushion of 15 to 20 percent on top of the expected project cost to account for the unexpected.
Once you have a rough price tag figured out for your remodel, consider the best way to move forward with paying for it. Do you have the cash on-hand? Do you need to investigate financing options? Can you afford to do the entire project now? Should you consider breaking up your home remodeling project into smaller projects?
Next Steps
If you’ve made it through these first three steps and you are still ready to move forward with your home remodel, then it's time to start making calls. You now have the information you need to evaluate contractors and choose the one who will help you reach your remodeling goals within your budget.
The team at Kitchen & Bath Center can organize every step of your kitchen and bathroom remodeling project. Our experts can help you design a layout and choose the perfect finishes, as well as hire and schedule plumbers, electricians, contractors, and more.
Happy remodeling!
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