Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
Home Renovation Tips for a Stress-Free Project
The prospect of a home renovation is exciting and even slightly daunting. There are so many things that you need to check off your ever-growing to-do list, and it can seem as though you are trying to figure everything out on your own and without experience. If this resonates with you, never fear because there is more information below to help guide you on a successful path to completing a home renovation. Make the process easy on everyone involved by implementing these tips into your project.
Work with Reputable Builders
Working with licensed and professional general contractors like the ones at JBD Builders Inc. General Contractors is one of the most important parts of any home renovation project. After all, unless you are an expert in the building trades, specifically in the ones required for your project, you must rely on the knowledge and expertise professionals will bring to your build.
A contractor can help you make your bedroom exactly how you want it
Look for a general contractor with years of experience and excellent reviews. Ensure you find one skilled in working with a comprehensive list of home-building and renovation projects. This way, they will be your one-stop shop for the required skill set and knowledge for whatever you need and whatever may come up during the construction process.
Watch this video to learn about important questions you need to ask contractors before making a hiring decision.
Budget with the Unknown in Mind
Home renovation projects are the makings of dreams come true. They evoke thoughts of future entertainment and more space for everyone in your home. Unfortunately and necessarily, renovations also cost money. To avoid underestimating the cost to complete your project, you should pad the budget with a 20 to 25% cushion. In addition, if there is something you would like to add to or change about your home in five years or so, do the math to determine if it will be a better financial decision to incorporate that element into your current project or if waiting is just fine.
A kitchen can be a major home renovation
With this strategy, you will have enough money to cover unforeseen circumstances, such as if your general contractor finds mold behind the walls, which will need to be mitigated before construction can continue, or you realize that the renovation project is actually the perfect time to add something else to the design. It is always better to over-budget than overspend your intended budget. If there is money left over, you can use it for a future project.
A modern kitchen design
Use High-Quality Products
Whenever people are working on a large home renovation project, they tend to want the best results but avoid using the best materials. Guess what? This does not pay off in the end. No. Instead, they are left with something that looks good yet begins to fall apart after a few years when the warranties have expired.
Avoid this preventable problem by investing in high-quality products and materials that will stand the test of time and hold up to active living. This means knowing that you will spend more at the beginning of the project but much less later on since you will not need to hire your contractor to return and fix or replace everything.
A renovation can include new ceiling treatments and more
Build with the Future in Mind
If you are of a certain age or a mindset that believes in planning for the future at every turn, consider this home renovation project as another opportunity to look to the horizon. Everyone is aging, including your family members. With that in mind, pay close attention to how you are renovating your home. Look for ways to make the structure easier on your future self.
See how we updated our cozy laundry room to make it more useful in our 1-minute video below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
Some important items to factor in may include:
Build the stairways wide enough to accommodate a stair lift or specialized equipment, such as a hospital bed on an upper floor.
Add a zero-entry doorway, if possible, to reduce tripping hazards.
Install walk-in showers for easier access.
Add drawers instead of shelves in kitchen and bathroom cabinets to reduce the need to bend over as you get older.
Consider building a master bedroom and bathroom suite on the main floor.
Widen hallways for wheelchair movement, just in case.
A new sink can modernize your kitchen
Give yourself the gift of a stress-free home renovation by working with the best contractors in the business. This is an essential step to ensure you have experienced guides who will help you every step of the way. Pay attention to your budget and build with an eye on the future. Once your renovation project is complete, you can get back to what you do best - living your life with the people you love in your own home.
Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links. All opinions and ideas expressed in this post, however, are based on my personal point of view.