YOU WANT TO RENOVATE, BUT WHERE DO YOU START?
All renovation projects should start with knowing your budget. Understanding how much you have to spend will allow you to decide the extent of the project you want to tackle and what materials you can afford to invest in.
Do you need financing? This can determine which renovation company you hire. Some renovation companies offer financing while others don’ t. Do you qualify for a home-improvement loan from your bank, and if so, how much?
If your budget is minimal, you can get a great bang for your buck by doing a room facelift instead of a full renovation. Things such as painting walls, changing countertops and backsplashes, new hardware, and re-facing cabinets can make a huge impact on your space. If you have a larger budget, you might want to do a complete renovation of your space.
KNOW WHAT RENOVATION COMPANIES ARE AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA
Once you know how much you have to spend, you’ ll want to compile a list of home renovation companies in your area. Get recommendations from family, friends, and acquaintances who have had work done that they have been happy with. Narrow that list down to several companies you think you want to work with.
KNOW YOUR STYLE PREFERENCES
1. Do your research to know what styles appeal to you. There are many home décor magazines, and online social media sites such as Pinterest, that have thousands of images of home décor which can give you plenty of examples. Use these to create a vision board of what your ideal new room redesign will look like. What colours do you like? What countertops, backsplashes, and flooring do you prefer?
2. These home décor media can also help you learn renovation terminology. You will be better prepared to discuss design and material options with vendors and contractors.
3. Start small with just one choice. Once you know how you would like one of the larger design aspects to look, then start with that. Maybe you know you want white and navy cabinets in your kitchen. Choose those shades and use samples of those colours to help guide other design choices, such as wall colour, flooring, trim, etc.
4. Look at the rest of your home for style guidance. If you own an older home built in an ornate Victorian style and you aren’ t planning on renovating the whole home, maybe adding a midcentury modern-style bathroom isn’ t the best choice.
5. Next you can work with your designer or contractor to determine what materials fit into your renovation budget. If some materials are outside of your price range, then you can work with the contractor to come up with options to ensure they can still be incorporated while not exceeding your budget.
6. Kitchen and bathroom renovations can be some of the most expensive. That’ s why it’ s helpful to work with a professional to understand how cabinetry and plumbing will fit best in a space.
7. If you are simply making cosmetic changes rather than structural ones, you may not want or need to hire a designer if you know exactly what you want your space to look like. If you have no idea where to begin, hiring a designer might work to your advantage.
Tips When Getting Quotes
1. Knowing your budget and your design preferences ahead of time will help you to understand a project’ s costs when you receive a quote.
2. Get quotes from several companies. If there are huge differences in quote prices, find out why. Are companies quoting you on the costs of the same materials? For example, custom-made, high-end cabinetry will cost significantly more than prefabricated ones from a big-box store; hardwood floors will cost more than vinyl; and stone countertops will cost more than laminate.
3. Also keep in mind that sometimes the level of service a company can offer will affect their price. A company that is slightly more expensive may provide better customer service with employees like project managers.
4. Get it in writing. Always ensure you have a written contract to ensure you and the contractor know what is expected. This helps you to know what exactly is covered and what isn’ t in your quoted price.