Over 55% of US homeowners renovated part of their homes in the past year and spent a total of $427 billion on home improvement projects during 2022. Overall, 93% of Americans feel they have a better quality of life after home renovations.
Despite their popularity and benefits, home renovations have the potential to get overwhelming quickly. Creating a step-by-step home renovation checklist will reduce stress and ensure you meet your renovation goals.
Keep reading this guide to learn how to transform your space with a home renovation checklist!
Created a Detailed Plan
Putting a plan in place is a crucial first step you don’t want to overlook. You can do this by sketching plans or simply taking a piece of paper and writing down your goals.
Writing down your goals is a good idea since it allows you to think about how and when you’ll be able to meet these goals. Additionally, a sketch will enable you to visualize your home renovations before it takes physical form.
Take this time to consider what projects you want to do yourself and what projects you want to hire professionals to work on. This will give you time to search for reliable contractors and subcontractors like plumbers and electricians.
Finally, you may want to hire a professional architect or floor plan designer. They can help you create a timeline and work schedule for your renovation. Additionally, experienced architects usually know local reputable contractors they can recommend.
Research Necessary Permits
It’s crucial to be aware of your local zoning regulations to know what types of permits you need for your renovations. In most cases, a renovation that changes the structure of your home needs a permit.
You can start by doing thorough internet research. You should also contact city officials to find out the details.
Don’t apply immediately since the contractors you hire usually need to obtain a building permit before starting the project.
However, being aware of the permits will prevent problems down the road. For example, if you hire contractors who don’t obtain the necessary permits, you can intervene sooner.
Figure Out What Repairs You Need
There is a good chance you won’t be able to start your home renovations until you complete other repair projects.
Before making any home improvements, you want to address any foundation or structural issues. Usually, this includes weak walls, beams, or joists. It’s best to have an inspection done to ensure the foundation is solid.
Roof repairs can also be a significant hurdle to overcome. If your roof is older and you have issues with leaks, it can undo all your renovations. Get a roof inspection to see what upgrades you need to make.
Fixing or replacing your siding is also necessary. Damaged siding can allow water to enter your home, causing extensive damage.
Finally, fixing and replacing damaged windows is a must to prevent water leaking.
Ultimately, you’ll want to get a thorough assessment of any issues and how long you can wait to fix them. You don’t have to have a perfect house to renovate, but you must take care of any major issues that have the potential to ruin your renovations.
Find Reliable Contractors
You can look at reputable local contractors once you determine what projects you’ll need help with. You’ll need to do thorough research and look at details like:
Years of experience
Licensing and insurance
Costs and payment schedule
References
Online reviews
Be sure to get price quotes from at least three companies for a good estimate.
Remember, reputable contractors won’t ask you to pay the total price upfront before the work is done. So look for a payment schedule that goes along with the work completion.
Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable.
Figure Out Your Budget and Financing
Figuring out your budget early in the process is essential. You may be able to pay cash for renovations like flooring, painting, or a small bathroom. But if you’re looking at a whole-home renovation, you’ll typically need some financing.
Depending on your credit, you can get financing from various sources. Home improvement loans will often allow you to borrow up to $100,000. You can also look at home equity lines of credit based on how much equity you have in your home.
Take this time to figure out your budget by making a list that includes things like:
Paint
Floors
Lighting
Permits
Labor costs
Other contractor costs
You must also include expenses from demolition and cleanup costs. In most cases, you’ll need to haul away trash, floor protection, and unusable lumber. If you’re using a contractor, they may include this service.
While doing this, take the time to salvage anything you can use again, like old bathtubs or sinks. You can also sell anything still in good condition that you can’t use.
Remember, the Salvation Army or your local Goodwill will take many types of donations, so don’t forget to consider this.
Finally, only throw out items that aren’t repairable. Not only does this reduce your environmental impact, but it also reduces cleanup costs.
Don’t Forget Your Garage
Finally, don’t forget to consider a garage transformation in your plans. Many people overlook their garages, but the truth is a garage remodel often costs less than you expect.
First, you can find storage options like standard cabinets you can install yourself. Putting up simple shelves will enhance your storage more than you realize.
Painting your garage will bring new life into it. All you need to do is find a primer and paint that will work with the type of walls you have. A quality primer and interior latex paint are usually best.
Updating the floors is also a cost-effective way to transform your garage. You can consider a special coating system like polyaspartic flooring. It’s stronger than epoxy and protects your floor against heat, chemicals, and UV exposure.
It’s also fast to dry, eco-friendly, and you can choose from different colors. Learn more about the pros of polyaspartic flooring here.
Making these simple upgrades will allow you to use your garage for much more than just storing cars. It’s well worth the investment and is something you can do on your own.
Use This Step-by-Step Home Renovation Checklist
Using this step-by-step home renovation checklist will help you keep on track with your renovations.
Now you can put your plan into place and get to work renovating. Remember, depending on supply availability and contractors; you may need to modify your plans along the way.
But before you know it, you’ll have a newly renovated home you’ll be proud to show your family and friends.
To learn more helpful tips and tricks about designing a house, make sure to read the rest of our blog articles today!
