Budgeting for home
renovations is always tough. Even when you plan for everything and even a few
glitches along the way budgets often find a way to be busted. In order to keep
your progress from ending in a budget stale mate here are a few things to keep
in mind when renovations are planned for your home.
First decide why you are
renovating your home. What do you hope to accomplish with the renovation? Are
you adding space for a new addition? Are you adding space for a kids play room
or do you hope that with your renovation you increase the value of your home.
Knowing exactly what you hope to accomplish with your home renovations will
make it easier to create a budget and stick to it. It is often when a plan is
not created that we go overboard with spending. So the more you can think out
ahead of time before renovations on your home begin the better your finances
will look in the end.
Speaking of a budget
determine how much you can afford to spend on this home renovation. If you
realize that what you hope to accomplish is not possible within the funds you have
allotted for the project than you can easily put it on hold at this stage of
the process. Determine the cost of all materials, tools and furnishings that
will be needed to complete the renovation. If you are doing a kitchen
renovation make sure to take into account large items like stoves and
refrigerators. If you are doing a bathroom remodel take into account a new tub,
sink and vanity. A toilet and new fixtures should also be added to the budget.
Next ask yourself are
you up to taking on the challenge of a remodel or is it better for you to hire
a contractor to ensure a smooth renovation. If you are the handyman type simple
renovations can easily be done on your own and can save your contractor fees.
If you are going to hire out a residential contractor make sure to look at
examples of their previous work. Ask for references and check out their
website. The detail put into their work, references and website will give you a
good idea of their work and work ethic. It is also important to make sure your gut
tells you that the contractor you have chosen is right for you and your home
renovation.
A timeline is also
important in home renovations. It is important to go over this with your
contractor and get in writing a plan of attack. It is important that each step
is broke down into a time frame so that you and the contractor can work
together to make sure progress stays on track. Making sure that the
contractor you hire is on the same page as you is one of the most important
steps in home renovation. You can have this by opening the lines of
communication from the start. Know that sometimes things can take an unexpected
turn but that you are interested in keeping up to date with the progress and
would like updates even when something goes haywire .
Once you have agreed
upon a plan do not keep changing things. Nothing makes a contractor bitter more
than an indecisive customer. They to have a time frame to stay within so that
they can continue work with other clients. Every change adds time and money to
the budget so stick to the original plan of attack. It will ease the schedule
and budget if you stick to the initial renovation plan.
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