Do you want to revamp and refresh your surroundings? If you are spending time on the home décor section of Pinterest lately, you are not alone. There is so much inspiration available online, such as the talented innovators in Hong Kong coming up with out-of-the-box ideas that manage storage, functionality, space for large families, and style – all in one! Let’s not forget the many benefits of renovating, including the value it adds to your property, the added functionality that makes your casa more comfortable, the repairs, and of course, the aesthetics and style through which you express yourself.
However, renovating a house is no mean feat. The entire process is full of stress and unanticipated delays before you get to reap the benefits of your patience. One thing you can do to avoid all the trouble is to plan. Planning will allow you to get acquainted with the renovation process, the estimated budget, timing, certain issues you are likely to encounter, any contingencies and backups you need to be ready for, etc.
We understand that planning such an enormous project can be intimidating and stressful, so we have compiled the ultimate home renovation checklist to keep you from getting side-tracked. Let’s get started!
Set a budget
Renovation can be done at any scale, with any cost cap. You need to know which areas of the house you want to remodel. Deciding whether to renovate just a specific part of your house, like the kitchen or the whole house, can impact the price of materials and the fee paid to your team of workers. You also need to account for where you are going to stay and keep your stuff while your house is under construction. For instance, if you are opting for a complete house renovation, you could keep your stuff in a storage unit nearby. For instance, you can search for Hong Kong storage units and shortlist ones that fit your need and budget. The materials you use will also have a massive impact on your budget. If you want your remodel to last for a long time, you will have to invest in good quality materials, which will understandably be pricier. However, if you are a creative individual who remodels frequently, you might be able to make do with relatively cheaper materials that may not score too well on the longevity scale but will save your costs.
Create a plan
With your tentative budget in place, it is time to figure out how you want to renovate and what you want to change in your existing décor. For instance, do you want to change the color palate of the house, or do you want to make it light and airy? Are you renovating to boost functionality and practical use, for instance, changing the kitchen’s layout to suit your needs better? Or are you making alterations to add value to your house? For instance, wood flooring can add 3% to 5% more value to your property.
Once you have a plan in mind, write it down and resist the urge to make spontaneous changes to ensure consistency and avoid confusion, which can lead to unnecessary delays. To avoid this, make sure to follow the age-old advice: make a plan that you absolutely love, so there is no room for second guesses and doubts.
Buy all the materials
Once you have decided on the budget and the areas you want to remodel, it is time to buy all the materials – all at once, preferably. For instance, if you are remodeling your kitchen and all the bathrooms, getting all the tiles, cabinets, handles, and faucets at once will save you time and money. This is because you will likely get a discounted price for buying in bulk, and you will save on transportation costs as you will get everything shipped in one go. Furthermore, once you have everything, you can incorporate it into your design process. This way, no materials will get wasted, and nothing in excess will be bought.
Hire a designer
Suppose you wanted a well-lit, airy living room, and you told your builders just that. It is very likely that their version of a well-lit and airy living room will not be the same as yours. To avoid such scenarios, drawing out exactly what you want and what you mean is important. Let’s take this living room example further; there are many ways to make your space well-lit and airy. This is where an interior designer may help. They will draw up a variety of ways you can make your space fit your theme, and you can choose from those options. A professional will ensure your ideas are communicated clearly and brought to life smoothly. Leaving things in their capable hands can relieve you of a lot of stress and get you your dream renovation results. Win-win!
Decide between DIYing and hiring a contractor
Another major decision that could impact your stress levels and the overall cost is whether to make your remodeling a DIY project or not. Generally, DIY is done on small projects such as remodeling your bathroom’s countertop. However, for large-scale remodeling projects such as renovating your entire kitchen, it is better to leave it to the pros. Doing your remodeling yourself can teach you a thing or two (or a lot more than two) about renovating a space while also saving you on the cost of hiring workers, etc. Bigger-sized projects can be very hard to do on your own and have the added risk of wasting supplies if you get a measurement wrong. Therefore it is better to let the professionals handle it. The recipe to get the best of both worlds would be to let the pros do the major remodeling job while you take on smaller cosmetic remodeling that you can easily do. That way, you get to cut some costs and get a professional finish for the most part.
Conclusion:
Once you have arranged everything, you can begin renovating your house. Make sure you clear out the space of any furnishing or items that might get damaged during the remodel. Also, ensure you have arranged accommodation for yourself if it’s a full house remodeling. This is because remodeling can take anywhere from a weekend to more than three months. It’s a tedious process that is sure to have a lot of hitches and problems. You must stay calm, flexible, and open to any changes and plan Bs. Although it will take blood, sweat, and tears, rest assured that you will love the results of your patience. Happy renovating!
