If you're tired of looking at dated wallpaper or a cramped kitchen, home renovation might be just what you need.
Be sure to consider local zoning regulations and permits, which can add up quickly. Also, materials prices can fluctuate depending on the season and region. Be sure to budget accordingly.
Budget
Choosing the right budget for your home renovation is one of the most important steps in a successful project. It will act as a guide for the rest of the planning process and help you decide what to focus on. It will also help you find a renovation team that can work within your budget. There are many tools available to help you get cost estimates and create a home remodeling budget. One of the best is Homezada, which lets you keep track of costs and even allows you to link your bank account so that all your transactions show up automatically in the app!
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It’s a good idea to compare costs from multiple contractors to get the most accurate estimates possible. This will help you avoid building your budget around an unrealistic quote from a contractor that is based on the assumption that you want to make stylistic changes rather than structural ones. Also, don’t forget to include any extra costs like moving expenses, living without a functional kitchen or finding temporary lodging during the renovation. Lastly, remember that the final cost of the project will depend on materials and labor, so it is always wise to build in a small cushion to cover unexpected costs.
If you’re renovating in order to sell your home, it’s important to research the cost of similar projects in your area and consider how much your improvements will add to the overall value of your house. This is especially true if you live in a declining neighborhood, where the money spent on upgrades may not come back to you when it’s time to sell.
It’s also a good idea to speak with an expert real estate agent who can advise you on which improvements will increase your home’s value and which ones will be more expensive than necessary. Ultimately, the only way to ensure that your home improvement project stays on schedule and under budget is to be organized from the beginning. Use a tool like Homezada to keep all your ideas, estimates and other documents in one place, so that you can easily refer to them throughout the planning process.
Design
Whether you are remodeling your home or doing a full renovation, the design is what will set it apart. You can look at home renovation trends to get ideas, but it’s important to work with a trusted design-build advisor who knows your project and will bring your vision to life.
In home renovation, a kitchen or bathroom remains a kitchen or bathroom but is updated with cosmetic changes like painting and installing new cabinets. Home repairs are also done during this time. The key difference between a renovation and a remodel is that renovation includes minor structural rebuilding, such as replacing rotten wood members, while a remodel involves major changes to the layout, such as adding or removing walls.
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If you want to change the structure of a room, you will need a permit, and it’s important to follow local codes. Depending on your situation, you may need to have an architect or engineer review the design and approve it before starting construction. You should also consider how you will manage the project. If you hire a general contractor, they will typically handle the permits and meet with inspectors on your behalf.
Many people renovate their homes to increase the value of their property and make it more aesthetically pleasing. Others do it for more practical reasons, such as to accommodate family needs or personal preferences. Over time, your lifestyle and needs can change, and renovations can be a great way to make your home reflect those changes.
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Another common reason to renovate a building is to upgrade its function or improve the efficiency of its systems. For example, a business might relocate to a bigger space, which requires a renovation to adapt the existing infrastructure. Other renovations might include making a building more energy efficient, green, or sustainable. This can be accomplished through a variety of ways, including retrofitting insulation and replacing older windows with new ones that are more efficient. In addition, buildings often undergo renovations to comply with environmental regulations or to add amenities that make the building more attractive or livable for tenants.
Contractors
The contractor you select will have a huge impact on the success of your renovation. There are many factors to consider including experience, references, and credentials. To get started, start by collecting a list of contractors who specialize in the type of work you need done. Then, review online reviews and personal recommendations to narrow down your choices. Once you’ve compiled your list, have each contractor visit your home to assess the job and provide an estimate. When you interview contractors, pay special attention to their communication style. You want to choose a contractor who is responsive and will keep you updated throughout the project.
Inferior workmanship: From crooked tiles to uneven paint jobs, subpar craftsmanship can turn your dream renovation into a nightmare that requires costly and time-consuming repairs down the road.
Lack of compliance with building codes: Many types of renovations require permits and inspections from local authorities to ensure that they comply with the city’s construction regulations. Navigating this labyrinth can be challenging for DIYers and inexperienced contractors, who may miss important requirements or misinterpret the rules. This can lead to costly fines and delay your project.
General contractors are licensed professionals who have the resources and talent to assume responsibility for entire remodeling and renovation projects. They can oversee multiple trades and coordinate tasks to keep your project on schedule and budget. GCs also have familiarity with the availability and lead times of certain materials, which can help avoid costly delays caused by waiting for supplies.
Ask your potential contractor for a portfolio of past renovation projects and request references from previous clients. Reach out to these references and ask about their experience working with the contractor, whether or not they communicated effectively, the quality of the work, and adherence to timelines.
During the vetting process, ask contractors to provide copies of their liability and workers’ compensation insurance and verify them with your insurer. You may also want to discuss adding the contractor as an additional insured party on your homeowners policy for the duration of the project.
Insurance
Your home renovation may require a change to your homeowners insurance policy, including increased coverage limits and endorsements that protect you during the project. If you plan a major renovation, like adding an additional room, it’s best to inform your insurer ahead of time. This allows them to evaluate your situation and make any necessary adjustments before the work begins.
Your insurer will likely recalculate your home’s replacement value to reflect the additions. This is based on the cost to rebuild your house with similar materials in your area. If the renovation significantly increases your house’s value, you may want to consider increasing your dwelling coverage limit to keep it insured for its full value.
You’ll probably need a separate builders risk policy to cover the renovation while it is under way. This type of policy typically includes theft, fire and flood damage to construction materials. Contractors may also need to purchase this type of coverage if they are working on your house. Triple-I recommends asking your contractors if they have this coverage and requesting a copy of the policy for verification.
If you’re going to be living elsewhere during your home renovation, consider vacant or unoccupied homeowner’s insurance. Standard policies exclude or severely limit coverage for unoccupied homes, so this type of policy is a good solution to ensure that your home is protected against perils like vandalism and theft while you’re gone.
If your renovation will involve a swimming pool, hot tub or other high-grade home element, it’s worth considering purchasing an excess liability umbrella policy to provide an extra layer of protection in case you are ever sued for injuries caused by those elements. These policies can be purchased on a temporary or permanent basis. It’s also a good idea to increase your personal property coverage limit if you will be adding any expensive items to your home, such as jewelry and artwork. You can typically add these to your existing policy through a floater or endorsement.