A major home renovation can breathe new life into your home (and increase its resale value), but it can also be expensive, time-consuming, and a hassle.
Take, for example, a kitchen renovation. When the project is done, you’ll have a beautiful new place to cook food and entertain guests – and the value of your home may increase substantially. But along the way, it’s going to cost you upwards of $35,000, force you to find a way to cook without appliances temporarily, and probably give you headaches along the way as you manage contractors, materials, and timelines.
What steps can you take to make a home renovation project easier?
Start Early
First, try to start the process as early as possible. If you want your bathroom to be fully remodeled by November, don’t start getting quotes in October. The more time you have to work with, the better you’re going to feel. You’ll have more time to make decisions, more time to accommodate things that go wrong, and far less stress – since you won’t be rushed. You won’t always be in a position to start a project months in advance, but if you can buy yourself this time, you should do it.
Hire Someone (or Do Your Research)
You need an expert to do the job, period. Someone very familiar with this type of work is going to do the job faster, more efficiently, with fewer mistakes, and will respond with greater expertise if and when something goes wrong.
The most straightforward way to get an expert on the job is to hire one. Find someone authoritative that you trust and have them complete the project for you.
If you choose to do the project yourself, you must become the expert. Do your research, read lots of content and watch videos, and prepare for every possible situation. You don’t want to waste time and money with simple mistakes.
Get Lots of Quotes
If you do end up hiring someone to do the job, be sure to get multiple quotes – at least three, from three different contractors. Not only will this help you find the best price, it will also help you find a person who you trust and respect.
Rent a Dumpster
One of the easiest ways to make a home renovation project easier on you is to rent a dumpster. Renting a dumpster is quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive – and it can instantly take much of the hassle out of your project. Instead of making several drives to the dump or having to fill up countless garbage bags across multiple trash days, you can simply discard all the remnants and old materials from the project into the dumpster and have it hauled away.
Set Firm Expectations
If you hire contractors, try to set some firm expectations upfront. How long is this project going to take, and what’s the worst-case scenario timeline? What are the things that could go wrong to throw the timetable out the window? What is this project going to cost, and how could that projected cost change during the course of the project? How are you going to communicate and when will work begin? Clarify these points and get them in writing if you can.
Estimate Everything Conservatively
Even after talking with your contractor directly, it’s a good idea to estimate things conservatively. If the project is estimated to take 6 weeks, plan on 8 weeks. If it looks like it’s going to cost $10,000, budget $12,000. You might be pleasantly surprised at the end – but you’ll be far less likely to be taken off guard.
Focus on Small Subsections
If you’re conducting a major home renovation or if you’re upgrading multiple rooms at the same time, the project can feel intimidating. There’s so much to do and so much to coordinate that it can drive you crazy. That’s why it’s important to break things down into smaller subsections and subtasks; focus on one thing at a time.
Have a Backup Plan
Always have backup plans. If this contractor can’t finish the work, is there someone else you can contact? If the project takes longer than expected, is there somewhere else you can live? How will you manage daily tasks without access to an important room?
Get Outside Support
Finally, lean on other people for support throughout this process. If you’re feeling stressed, practice self-care and give yourself a break to do something you love. Talk to your friends and family members. Recruit some help if you’re stuck or if you’re facing a tough problem.
Home renovations shouldn’t be a harrowing ordeal – but they sometimes can be, especially if you’re caught unprepared. But with these proactive planning and reactive management strategies, you can make your life much easier (and less stressful) as you execute this important home upgrade.
