Renovation is on the rise, with over a third of homeowners saying there’s something they want to change about their property this summer. Whether you’re a new buyer looking for the chance to change something in an old home, or you’ve owned your property for twenty years and need a change: renovations have to be carefully planned.
These are five things to remember during your renovation project and why they matter.
Why Renovate Your Home?
Home renovations have been expensive over the last couple of years since the scarcity of supplies due to covid has made it impossible to buy materials or labor for a reasonable cost.
Renovating can add a lot of value to your property, though. In today’s wild housing market, a small renovation can add tons of value to a property that’s already highly valued. Buyers are desperate and almost looking for excuses to start bidding wars: so give them a reason to.
If you’re not considering selling, renovating can increase how comfortable you feel in your home and can give you the chance to build your dream property: which is something we all want.
1. Thoroughly Research Your Products
Before you start your project, it’s vital that you research the products needed to complete it. Look into how to order the right amount and how to pick the right type.
For example, looking into different types of siding can leave some newbies stunned. There are countless styles, materials, finishes, colors, and companies out there, all with unique looks offering different things. With all of those options, it’s easy to see why it would leave someone’s head spinning. Plan ahead, and do research based on what matters to you most of all.
2. Consider Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a must in today’s market. Heating and cooling costs are at an all-time high, and buyers don’t want to purchase a property that’s going to cost hundreds to heat or cool every month.
Look into the many different ways you can add more energy efficiency to the property through renovations. This can be as small as adding a smart thermostat to the home, or you can go bigger and add window replacement inserts that can stop the weather from affecting the interior temperatures of the home.
While you’re at it, you should also thoroughly consider your insulation and the quality of your roofing and siding.
3. Protect the Surfaces Around Your Home
All kinds of mistakes and issues can come up during renovations. From paint getting splashed on your new carpet to water leaking and damaging your foundation. Take steps ahead of time to protect yourself. Whether this means buying more tarps to keep your floors safe while you paint or taking the time to look into waterproofing foundation walls: do what makes you feel secure.
You may also want to look into home renovation insurance if you have a high-value property since this will keep you safe from dealing with the work and cost of recouping losses if anything goes wrong.
4. Remember to Clean Before and After Renovations
Renovations can be messy, even if you’re careful, so it’s a good idea to know how to clean up after them. Although you may be proud of the result after you’re finished with a huge project, cleaning it up can make it shine even more.
Take the time to clean areas like windows, siding, and other parts of your home that might have had drips or smears happen on them. You can also look into how to remove oil stains from driveways if anything happens that puts them in worse condition.
5. Remove Junk And Clutter Afterwards
The final step of any renovation project is to get rid of all of the junk and debris that’s left over when you’re done. The average trash collection company won’t want to deal with the large and unwieldy items that will be removed, and you could face a fine if you try to make them take them.
Instead, look for a reliable junk hauling service near you that can take on what you need them to.
Mistakes to Avoid
When renovating your property, it’s easy to make some mistakes that can pile up on you over time. It’s vital that you avoid them when possible or handle them with care when you’ve made them and need to correct them.
Generally, the biggest things to avoid are: setting an unrealistic budget, sacrificing function to form, taking on projects as a DIY that require a professional, avoiding ordering extra materials, and being far too trendy.
Take your time, do this project correctly the first time: and you’ll save so much money that you would have had to spend correcting problems you’d make otherwise.
Your Projects Can All Go Smoothly When Well Planned
Planning is the most important step when renovating your home. If you can, take the time to carefully lay out your project ahead of time and be prepared before it begins.
Rebecca Larkin is the Renovation Editor at Innovative Building Materials. With over 15 years of renovation experience, Rebecca has worked on many different types of projects in the industry.
