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5 Ways to Prepare for Your Home Renovation

Fitzpatrick Painting & Construction • Oct 11, 2018

Going into a home renovation project unprepared can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs and labor.

It’s essential that if you’re going to do something yourself, you know the right way to do it. Even if you are working with a contractor, there are some basics that you need to establish. It doesn’t need to be a particularly scary or daunting process, but you do need to know what you’re getting into.

Here are five home renovation facts to know before your work begins.

Home Renovation: Be Prepared

The preparation that you do will depend on the type and scope of the project at hand. You might have various contractors working on your home at once, or you may just be planning to dedicate yourself to working for a few months on your own. In any case, the following tips will get you set up.

1. Be Flexible With Timelines

Things will come up as you set out on your endeavor. You may be hoping to have everything done so that you can invite the family over for Christmas, or have the pool ready for the summertime.

It’s good to have deadlines that keep you motivated, but don’t be too disheartened if things take a little longer due to unexpected realizations that are often only discoverable once you begin.

2. Establish a Buffer to Your Budget

People typically end up going over their budget when it comes to home renovations. Even when you skip the labor costs and do it yourself, large obstacles may arise and require some financial support.

Have a clear budget laid out , but keep in mind that there may be costs that vary your budget 10 to 20 percent in either direction for the same reasons mentioned above with timelines.

3. Keep Lists

Especially if you are working with contractors, you’ll want to write down what is being done, and when it’s expected to be finished. You should also jot down notes on the labor hours that are being given to your project.

This will help to keep everything in line and allow you to monitor the work being done on your home. It will also allow you to keep tabs on the costs going into the various additions to your home. From appliances to sheetrock, you’re paying the money so you should know where it’s going.

4. Things May Turn Out a Little Differently

Even the most articulate people have a hard time getting others to create their vision. There might be spacial issues to putting in everything you want, or maybe the color scheme looked different in your head. In any case, it’s likely that your home won’t come out exactly as you’d imagined, and it may be better to let it sit and see how it feels to you in a few months.

Sometimes, the end result can actually be better than you initially imagined!

5. Have a Set Plan

Without an order to the process, the work you do may have to be reversed in order to take care of, say, a plumbing issue. Try and complete the task systematically in order to streamline time and costs.

Use Your Resources

Everyone could use help to make their home renovation process easier. There are a lot of resources online that can help you with tips and tricks to streamline your efforts.

If you’re interested in learning how our team can help with your home renovation project, click here to request a free estimate!

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