Five tips for planning a home renovation

Considering a home renovation? These five tips may help in the decision making process.

1. Get recommendations. Personal recommendations from others who have been through a renovation can be helpful. Ask those people in case they know about an architect, project manager, or builder or go online and make the right choice based on the company’s track record.

2. Tackle structural defects first. These issues should be addressed before they become larger concerns. For instance, a leaky, unchecked roof or any electrical problem can cause expensive (and larger) issues in the long run.

3. Know the end goal. Is this a renovation designed to increase resale value? Or is it to improve the comfort for both short- and long-term occupancy? Consider the condition of surrounding homes in the neighbourhood to evaluate what is suitable. Find out which renovations are seen as a good return on investment.

4. Set a budget. A home renovation budget should include the rates for materials, building permits, decorative finishes and labour. Begin by establishing a budget and then securing the financing. It's advisable to reserve a minimum of 10% of the budget for unexpected costs.

5. Create a timeline. Once a start date is established, the contractor should then calculate the amount of time needed for each portion of the project. Priorities can be set and concurrent tasks can be identified. Time should be included for shipping and delivery of materials.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Avoiding planning permission pitfalls.
• Building an extension.
• Self-build home: project plan.
• Refurbishment.
• Renovation.
• Renovation v refurbishment v retrofit.
• Tips for house renovations on a budget.

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