Smooth sailing will never be a phrase used to describe home renovations. However, there are many effective ways to make the process as easy as possible. Essentially, preparation is the ultimate strategy. But as we all know, nothing ever goes exactly to plan. You can prepare for this likelihood though. Below are five ways to make your life easier while renovating.
Make Space
Renovations tend to take months. With this in mind, it might be wise to store away inconveniently placed furniture or clutter in the meantime. Some storage facilities like Fort Knox will actually provide units on month-to-month plans, making it easy to store goods even if you don’t know how long your renovation will take. Placing your things in a secure environment like this gives you one less thing to fret over during an often very stressful period.
Think Ahead
Before you begin anything, make sure you assess your home first. In other words, where are the renovations most needed? In what way is the state of your home good or bad? By extension, you should also establish which renovations are mandatory and which can wait. Lastly, decide beforehand whether you’re going to be living at home or staying elsewhere when it all happens.
Establish a Budget
This goes hand in hand with thinking ahead. Knowing how much you have to spend should come before anything else. Your budget should be strict – you should know the cost of virtually everything that comes with renovating your home: living costs, material, labouring costs and duration.
Seek Professional Advice
Even if you’re planning a DIY renovation, seeking professional advice is still very important. If this is your first time, professional help would be even better! In this case, it’s important that you trust your designated builder and that you both know exactly what you want done. Get all quotes and agreements in writing. During the renovations, make sure you have a vague idea of what the builder is doing and whether he/she is doing it to your liking. Hiring an inspector is also very useful, particularly if you have no architectural knowledge and wouldn’t be able to tell a mistake from an achievement.
Find Inspiration
In order to know what you want, you need inspiration. It can be very helpful to have a clear vision for the end product before you seek quotes and concepts from the specialists. When it comes to design, your best bet is to browse through a few home improvement magazines and see what stands out for you. Alternatively, you could take a gander inside other homes of a similar construction and obtain ideas that way. Inspiration is everywhere, but it shouldn’t be taken for granted. Find it in a concentrated manner.
The key to preparing for the worst—as you most likely have gathered by now—is to know what you’re getting into. A general understanding of the process amounts to full control, whether you’re renovating on your own or watching a professional builder take the reigns. Above all, don’t try to complete everything within a limiting budget. Instead, use what you have to achieve a quality result. It is better to be flexible with your time and do it bit by bit than it is to blow all your savings in one go without a decent outcome.
Article Submitted By Community Writer.
