4 Ways to Get Prepared for Your Home Renovation
Are you planning a home renovation? If this is your first, your only experience may be watching your favorite home improvement show, where the entire transformation is complete in 45 minutes (or less). But in real life, a renovation can take weeks or even months to complete, and you may run into unforeseen complications.
A home renovation is a huge project, and your peace of mind will depend on realistic expectations and being well prepared. So today, I’m sharing 4 ways to prepare for your home renovation like the professionals do…
1. Focus on the Design Plan First
It is imperative to start with floor plans, elevations, and relevant custom drawings to ensure the outcome will align with your vision for your home.
When you focus on your design plan first, you ensure a space with flow and function that fits your family’s needs. Having a solid plan in the beginning will save you money and time on potentially having to backtrack to fix any overlooked details later.
I highly suggest having an expert look over your design plan, because a professional will know what areas can be improved, which red flags to avoid, and so much more. We understand details that most people won’t even know to look for — it’s literally our jobs!
Which leads me to my second tip...
2. Save Time and Money with a Professional
Hiring a professional to handle your remodel is crucial to a smooth and successful transformation. When you hire a designer, you may pay more upfront, but it will result in saving you time and money long-term.
Mistakes can be very expensive and derail a project. Overlooking important details can contribute to unnecessary delays and problems you didn’t see coming. Professional designers have the experience to help you avoid costly mistakes or efficiently solve any issues that are impossible to prevent. For example, you won’t know what’s hiding in your walls until they come down. (Believe me, we’ve seen it all.)
Before you meet with your designer, start collecting images of spaces you love and use them to create a list of your top needs and wishes in your ideal space. When you meet with your designer, you’ll know what to discuss and you’ll be able to find out which of your ideas are possible… plus some new ideas you might not have considered!
3. Set a Realistic Timeline
A renovation or remodel takes time, and it’s usually longer than you expect. Make sure you set a realistic timeline, so that your project isn’t rushed. That way, you won’t feel stressed when the project doesn’t seem to be moving as quickly as you want it to. There are many moving parts, materials, and schedules to coordinate in a renovation, so here is a quick overview of the process:
The first step is making sure your materials are ordered and will be available when your trades come in. Most people leave to the last minute (unless a designer is managing your project), but it is essential to do early! The next step in the process is demolition, which is quick but messy. Then, experienced trades come in and complete the necessary tasks, installing your materials and features. And that’s it!
Fortunately, having the right team in place means you won’t have to worry about the details of coordinating all those materials and trades. What a relief!
4. Remind Yourself that Your Home is Worth the Wait
The joy you will feel in your newly renovated space will be a well worth any bumps along the way. Our commitment to you is that we will develop a cohesive design and refine that design throughout our collaboration and execute it flawlessly. The result is a home where you feel completely at ease and inspired to live every day to the fullest.
Ready to renovate your Coral Gables or San Marco home but don’t know who to contact first? Give us a call and we will help guide you through each step of the process.
Until next time,