Homeowners renovate their houses for different reasons. Your approach when renovating your home will depend on the main reason why you need to renovate it. Do you want to live in the house longer, give it a different look, or put it on the market for sale? You need to plan the remodeling project from the beginning to the end before making any contacts. The project may seem small and affordable at first but could mushroom to a big project in the end. Here is a guide on how to plan and start the renovation project.
House Inspection
The first step is to contact a qualified home inspector to determine the real state of your house. The inspector should check all systems and structure from top to bottom. The purpose of this initial inspection is to identify any leaks, systems break down, and all areas that need repair. The inspector should advise you of any electrical, heating, or air conditioning systems that need repairs or replacement. You can determine at this level the full cost of the renovation project.
Structural and Systems Issues
If you are renovating your home for sale, assess your local market’s preferences before making changes. You can tell from the inspector’s report if the final outlook of your home will meet the preferences of potential buyers. Prioritize any system and structural issues in the house. Potential buyers are likely to start their independent inspections with the systems and structure. In addition, it is risky to live in a house with structural issues.
Plumbing
The next important thing to consider is the plumbing system. Call a plumber immediately if your home has any plumbing issues, especially in the bathroom and kitchen. In case you upgrade your water or bathroom system, ensure that the plumbing system can support the changes. If not, consider replacing your plumbing system with a better system. Use this opportunity to lower your water consumption by fixing any leakages.
Energy Efficiency
If the home inspector reported any electrical issues, you need the help of a technician to fix the issues. You also need to determine the level of energy efficiency in your home. Check the appliances including any new appliances to ensure that they are energy efficient. You may need to replace some of them to lower your energy bills. If you intend to sell the house, the new owner will need safe electric connections. Hence, it is important to hire a licensed electrician to inspect and fix the electric system.
Interior Décor
After all the structural and system changes, consider changing the interior décor. Visit websites like Housing Predictor to determine the latest trends and prices in the market. A new interior look will give your house a higher price in the market. If you want to live in your house longer, choose new lighting fixtures, furniture, carpets, rags, and painting that suit your style.
A home remodeling project can be small or big depending on your budget. The most important thing is to start with a comprehensive plan and an accurate estimate of the total cost. You can then start remodeling depending on your priorities and preferences.
