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CartTop 10 Things to Do Before a Home Renovation Project
Whether you’re renovating a room, a floor or your entire home, success depends on identifying your objectives and making a plan. But where do you start? This overview breaks down the basics of the home renovation process and offers some tips and tricks to getting it done on time, and on budget.
1. Know Your Motivation
The first step is to identify the reasons for your home reno. Are they solely aesthetic? Perhaps the space just feels old and needs a new fresh, new look. Or maybe you want the room to better suit your personality. The reasons could also be functional. For example, a poorly laid out kitchen that cramps your cooking style, or a bedroom with not enough storage. The degree of aesthetic vs. functional motivation will help inform how much of a reno you need, and how much you want to spend.
2. Identify Your Must-Haves vs. Nice-to-Haves
These are your non-negotiable items. In other words, they must fit into your budget or you won’t be happy with the final result. Take some time to look over the reno area and review similar spaces online to see what your space might be missing. Then make a floor-to-ceiling list of all items you could possibly want. Once you have your master list you can start moving items around between the “must-have” column and the “nice-to-have” column based on budget, timing, and things that could potentially be added at a later date.
3. Decide on DIY vs. Contractors or Hybrid
Going the DIY route can save you money but be realistic about what you can and can’t do yourself. Even if you’re a handy DIYer, some work requires a licensed professional to complete. DIY projects are also more likely to encounter snags and hiccups, so consider the impact on your timelines. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of purchasing tools you don’t already own. In some cases, a hybrid method can work where you share duties with the contractor. This could involve you doing some pre-construction teardown like removing cabinetry or lifting up old flooring. The Home Installs team at your local Home Hardware can help you sort these tasks.
4. Hire a Licensed General Contractor
A general contractor will organize and oversee your entire project. They can complete construction work themselves and/or hire a team of subcontractors. This involves confirming the order of operations and scheduling the various subcontractor work at the appropriate time. General contractors also obtain construction permits, recommend finishes and materials, and propose solutions for renovation challenges. Do some research and read online reviews before hiring a general contractor. Make sure to get commitments on availability and timelines, and confirm your communication methods and frequency. A locally licensed contractor with proper insurance is a must. Here’s why:
Contractors without proper credentials may not be able to obtain the required permits for your job
If the contractor’s work fails to meet building codes, you are responsible for the repairs
You may only find this out when you want to sell your home and must fix work that doesn’t meet standards
Unlicensed contractor could nullify your home insurance policy
If the contractor doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance, you in effect become the employer and may be responsible for any accidents or injuries on your property
5. Choose Your Reno Team
A general contractor will help you identify which subcontractors you’ll need. For example, if you’re knocking down walls or moving plumbing or gas lines, you’ll need an architect. Any electrical work will require a licensed electrician. Here’s a list of the most common types of contractors your home reno project might require:
Roofing contractor
Drywall contractor
Fencing contractor
Concrete contractor
Masonry contractor
Electrical contractor
Siding contractor
Painting contractor
Insulation contractor
HVAC Contractor
Remodelling contractor
6. Consider Hiring a Design-Build Contractor
Design-build contractors offer a cost-effective option for medium to large projects. They can also benefit any project requiring high attention to detail. A design-build contractor offers full design, construction, and project management services, with a single point of contact from start to finish. This can make for a more seamless process, with more predictable timelines between the design and construction phases of your renovation.
7. Choosing & Storing Fixtures
Choosing new fixtures is the fun part of any home reno, but you also need to ensure they’re compatible with your existing fixtures, plumbing and electrical systems. If you want the fixtures on hand for when you’re ready to install, you’ll also need to consider storage. Do you have an extra room to store things like cabinets, a sink, or a toilet? If not, your general contractor can set up “when-needed” deliveries, but if you’re going DIY you’ll have to arrange these yourself.
8. Consider Hiring an Interior Designer
Interior designers can provide helpful, professional guidance for renovating the interior of your home. They can analyze traffic to inform space planning, help design or choose cabinetry, and recommend furniture styles, colours, and finishes.
9. Practical Considerations
Consider the impact the renovation will have on life within your home. Will there be excessive noise, dust or debris? Will some rooms, like the kitchen for example, become unusable for a period of time? If so, it might be best to move out of your home for a while. If staying with family or friends isn’t an option, you’ll have to factor into your budget the cost of temporary accommodations.
10. Finalize Your Budget
Create a detailed budget that includes all the costs of your home reno project. Make sure to account for all items and processes listed above. Be sure to build in some flexibility as well to account for delays or cost overruns. A good way to do this is to lay out your budget according to the timeline of your project. That way, if cost or time overruns occur in the early stages you can identify later-stage items to remove if needed.
Starting a home renovation can be daunting. From planning, to design, to construction, it seems like there’s a million considerations and decisions to be made. An early consultation with the Home Installs team at your local Home Hardware can help set you on the right path. If you’re weighing the pros and cons of DIY, look for a Home Hardware in your area that also does tool rentals. Take whatever time you need for proper planning and research. The benefits will show up in your finished project.
