5 Essential Tips for Planning Your Home Remodeling Project

It’s summertime, which means it’s the season of home remodeling projects. If you’ve been putting off some of the projects on your to-do list, now is the time to start planning to finish them. The planning process is just as important as the actual home remodel, so Atlantic Property Restoration has put together some tips for making sure your project is off to a good start.

Budget, budget, budget!

One of the most important parts of planning your home remodeling project is budgeting. This doesn’t mean just guessing how much the project will be and hoping for the best. You need to make a list of all the tools and materials you’ll need, making sure to measure the areas of your home so you budget for the adequate amount of supplies. Then, go to your local hardware store and start noting how much each tool and material costs.

Be sure to budget more than you think you need, since many projects end up being more than originally planned. You also need to leave room for mistakes—for example, don’t budget for the exact amount of lumber you need in case something is measured incorrectly or you need more lumber than originally thought.

Research Contractors

Don’t pick the first contractor that shows up on Google—do your research. Read reviews for the company and reach out to places where most of them are positive. Contact the company and see if you can contact past customers to hear about their experience, including if the company stuck to the agreed-upon budget and timeline.

Meet with Potential Contractors

Before agreeing to work with a specific contractor, meet with them in person or over the phone. Bring a list of questions to ask them and note any red flags you notice during your discussion. Ask them to provide a list of references as well as proof they are licensed, certified, and insured. Don’t just pick the cheapest contractor—pick one who is professional and reliable.

Start with the Kitchen During Home Remodeling

Renovations to the kitchen greatly increase the value of your home, so if you’re not sure which project to start with, look no further than the kitchen. While “just for fun” projects are important, too, most people are working with a limited budget and timeline. Because of this, it’s best to pick a project that will pay off in the long run.

Expect the Unexpected

As with planning your budget, you should just expect the unexpected while working on a home remodeling project. In any project, there are unforeseen delays and issues that arise. These could be anything from an increase in materials’ cost, delays in the shipment of materials, bad weather, outages, etc. It’s better to have a mindset that things might not go as planned rather than being surprised by unexpected issues.

Even if you’re super handy with a hammer, it’s better to hire a contractor to help you on your home remodeling project. Atlantic Property Restoration has years of experience and is ready to help you create the home of your dreams. Contact us today!