If you’ve been dreaming of a home improvement or remodeling project, it’s time to make it a reality. As with any project, good planning is the key to saving you stress and money and achieving the rewards that can come from a newly designed space.
Begin fulfilling your dream by clarifying why you want to do this. The majority of remodeling projects begin as a result of the need to make changes because the house no longer meets the needs and desires of the family. For example, having a baby or growing children can result in a need to expand your space. Or perhaps you have lived in your home for more than 10 years and you are getting an itch to update and modernize. Whatever the reason, it is best to make clear what you hope to accomplish from this home improvement project.
Brainstorm about everything you would like to have included in your remodel and then categorize each item as a “necessity or must have”, “amenity or nice to have” or “definitely not”. In order to organize your thoughts and ideas, create a notebook. This will allow you to keep pictures, color samples, fabric swatches, material specifications, reference phone numbers, budget information and project records in one concise area.
Now that you have answered the why and the what, it is time to take a look at the numbers. Spending time on the budget early on in the project plan, as well as reviewing it at every step of the process, is essential to its success and your sanity. Don’t forget to take into consideration the payback you hope to achieve from this home improvement. Typically a kitchen or bathroom improvement offers the highest payback when it comes to resale. Talk to a trusted real estate agent if this is a major consideration.
Being realistic with what you can afford and when you can afford it will allow you to put together a realistic timetable for the project as a whole. The schedule should be created with the help of your "construction team", which may include an architect, interior designer, loan officer, and general contractor, to name a few. Areas that typically can cause a ripple in your timetable are the design phase, getting permits and the actual time for construction. Make sure that you have “padded” your schedule to account for these factors.
Identifying reliable competent contractors to work on your project can be as stressful as the project itself. This can also take the most time, so be sure to account for it on your project schedule. The simple answer to getting the best person for your project – research! Begin your search by asking friends and neighbors who have completed their own home improvements who they used. The county building department and Yellow Pages are also places to look. Then do your own homework by verifying their license and insurance, check references and reputation, and view previous and current jobs. Plan interviews that will allow you to assess their personality, approach to problem solving and their understanding of your dream. They may be the best at what they do, but if they don’t “see” your vision of the completed project, then helping you make it reality is going to be difficult. Plan to evaluate up to three bids before you make your final selection.
Through careful planning, the ground work should be completed which leads you to the exciting and nail biting phase of the project – construction. Pay attention to the work as it progresses without micromanaging of your construction team. Walking this fine line can make the difference between a good remodeling experience and a nightmare. Having pre-arranged work review meetings in your project plan can help. Use these to go over any issues that have come up, re-evaluate expectations, monitor progress and maintain positive communication with your contractor.
Post construction, before the celebration party, make sure that the punch list (final “to do” list) has been completed to your satisfaction and that your home owners insurance is updated to reflect your remodel.
It can’t be said enough – good planning will make for a great home improvement project. For more information you can check out the “Construction and Remodeling” section at www.sounfhome.com.
By: Kathy Jenkins
Archive for October, 2009
Tips on Home Improvement Remodeling
October 26th, 2009Are you bored of the atmosphere of your existing home? Do you wish a change? Home improvement remodeling is a great way to change your surroundings and make your home look like a new one. Your first step in remodeling your home is visiting nicely built houses that you can visit. Through which you can gather a good deal of ideas. Magazines and websites too can suggest you a lot about remodeling with minimal expenses. Planning comes next, a permutation & combination of the gathered ideas and the expenses and of course, the environment you have always wanted would help you in arriving at a suitable plan that meets your aesthetic needs as well as your budget.
Tips on Exteriors
While improving the curb appeal, you should pay attention to the external color of your home. Create a front yard garden to make the home look friendly and welcoming. As natural materials impress more than the artificial ones, consider using natural materials that are very popular right now. Focus on small details, such as, the color of your front door, decorative elements that escalate the frontage, lightings, fountains, and the like. While improving curb appeal and maintaining it may require some effort, it could provide you with the best change of environment of your home. Involving every family member in the job could be of great fun. Apart from the great looks, you will have added a great value to your home.
Revamping Interiors
When it comes to interiors, it includes every room in your house. While interior decorators can do a great job for your home improvement remodeling, you can also do it yourself. Device a plan so that the color scheme, style, atmosphere complements your windows, ceiling, walls, furniture, etc. With wise kitchen remodeling ideas, you can make your kitchen a completely different room without major expenses. Replacing your old style with modular kitchens will be a little costly but can make you feel as if in a new environment.
Cost of remodeling bathrooms too can be as high or as low as you want them to be. If you want your bathroom to be a glamour room, you will need to spend quite a lot on the accessories as well as flooring and on tiles. To be economical, you can use some of your old bathroom furniture by just painting and polishing that gives a new look. This will help you save a lot of money.
Household storage is an absolute necessity for your home to keep it clutter free and well organized. You can consider some of the various elegant home storage products available on the neighboring market or through the internet. Storage plays a crucial part in serving to retain a tidy home and to keep items where they can be easily found at times of need. While choosing storage products, be sure that they match the other elements of your home.
By: danyy
The Top Five Do ItYourself Home-improvement Tips
October 24th, 2009Tackling home-improvement projects that need to be done can be both exciting and rewarding. But going at it the wrong way can be a big disappointment and a source of a lot of stress. The best success is had when you plan ahead well and you pick the right time for doing the project. Here are some very important do it yourself home improvement tips to help every project be a success.
1. Almost any interior home-improvement project is going to make a mess, and that means that your home will be in disarray while the project is going on. For many, this is the most frustrating part of the entire project. So if you know that a particular room or area of the house is going to need some repairs, why not plan in advance and try to accomplish as much as you can in that area at one time?
If you don’t want dirt and debris flying all over your furniture in that area you will need to prepare your home in advance, usually by covering them with bedsheets or plastic sheeting. So it’s much easier to do this in one entire section of the house at a time, instead of having to recover everything over and over again.
2. Even if you plan on doing all the work yourself, it’s always a good idea to have the phone numbers of local professionals available in case you run into a major problem. When remodeling, there is just no telling what kind of problems you may encounter. Some of it you may be able to handle on your own, and some you may not. Butt having the phone numbers of experts in that field handy can keep the project moving forward even when difficult situations are encountered.
3. If you have a family, keep in mind that small children and power tools just don’t mix. Of course, they will probably want to be with you and maybe even join in and help you. But for safety’s sake, be sure to keep them completely away from any power tools or equipment that could cause harm.
4. It doesn’t matter what project you get involved in, or how organized you are in planning it, you are always going to find something that you need right away in order to finish. It’s just Murphy’s Law. So try not to start any major remodeling projects at a time when supply stores and tool rental shops are not open. When you need something for the project, and you definitely will, it’s a real relief to be able to just run down and get it right away without causing much work delay.
5. If you have to work around any of the home appliances or electrical and plumbing, be sure that you know for certain where and how to turn off all of the water, gas and electricity services to your home. If an emergency situation arises, you don’t want to have to find the shutoffs at the last minute.
Although improving your home can be a lot of fun, you need to be smart about how you do it as well. Following the tips given above should at least help you get your home improvement projects off to the right start.
By: Jim Johnson
