So, you’re thinking of a home renovation?
Whether you’ve lived in your beloved home for a long stretch of your life and have decided the time has come to update. Or maybe you’ve just put a deposit down on a new property and want to renovate before you move in. There are lots of things to consider before commencing a home renovation.
We outline the main things to think about, from budget to getting the right person for the job. There are so many home renovation contractors listed in Hartford, Connecticut. How do you know if they are going to properly do what you need them to? A simple solution is to hire an interior designer in West Hartford, CT to manage the project and make sure it’s done right and within budget.
All About Interiors
What do you want from your renovation?
You shouldn’t start building work on your home until you know exactly what you want. Do you want to knock down a wall to turn your living space into an eat-in kitchen? Maybe you want to install an en suite into your master bedroom? Is an addition in order to expand the house for older relatives?
Whatever your goals are for your home make sure they are meticulously planned. Make sure you have detailed diagrams to show your interior designer, contractor or even blue prints to show architects. Work with your contractor on what the possibilities or the alternatives are (depending on the structure of your home and your budget).
Do you need planning permission?
The rules and regulations around planning permission differ in different countries, states and landscapes. It is crucial that you check whether your building plans require planning permission. Especially if you’re buying a new property with the hope of renovating before you move in. Planning permission laws may impose restrictions and this could overturn your plan to move to that particular property.
Plan your family’s schedule
It’s important to remember that a home renovation can take months from inception to completion dependent on the size; large-scale renovations can sometimes take up to the best part of a year. Therefore, you should plan ahead and envision yourself and your family in the future when the building work is underway. You may find that, for example, during the build your daughter may be in the midst of exams at school, therefore building work at home would be too disruptive and a bad idea.
What’s more, if you’re looking to renovate big time – for example you’re looking to extend your home by half of its size and the roof needs major alterations – are you able to live in the home during this time, or will you have to rent another home in the meantime?
Building work on your home can take twice as long as you hope and cost twice as much, so make sure you consider all the eventualities of the work and how your family’s schedule will be affected.
Consider your budget
Budget is the biggest limitation of building work, both residential and commercial. Always overline the parameters of your budget – there will always be costs you forget to account for, and you want to protect yourself and your project so that you don’t risk running out of money half way through a build and having to abandon it.
Remember to factor plumbing costs into your budget if you’re fitting a new bathroom, and if you’re extending your home dramatically you’ll need extra money for décor and furnishings.
Get the right person for the job
Choosing the right general contractor can make a huge difference in the process and the outcome of the build. Do plenty of research before you enlist anyone’s help and ask around for first-person accounts from neighbors who have had home renovations to help inform your decision. You will also be needing a dumpster or skip to aid you with your renovation. Ensure you have factored use of one these into your budget as they are a pivotal part of your renovation.
If you are knowledgeable about construction and feel you can tackle the job you don’t have to hire someone else to renovate your home. You can do it yourself by getting a contractor license. Visit https://www.contractortrainingcenter.com for information on how you can enroll onto a course and qualify as a general contractor. It can be a very rewarding and lucrative career path, not to mention will present great opportunities for renovating your own property!
This post is a collaborative effort and may contain relative and relatable affiliate links. All opinions are our own and for informational purposes.