I love helping my clients’ “unlock new doors” in their dream home, but it is rare to buy a home that fits both your needs and style 100%. There are countless reasons you may consider a home remodel once you move in, but it can seem like a daunting task. Where do you begin planning? How do you choose contractors? How do you decide which changes really need to be made?
I love the remodeling process, and I LOVE watching how my own clients’ transform their new homes. Remodeling allows my clients to customize a home they already love to fit their family even better. Here are some steps I would recommend if you have a home remodel on the horizon:
Define your goals. What is it that you are wanting to accomplish with your remodel? Even if you knew you wanted to remodel from the purchase of your home, it’s okay to take your time to figure out what you really want to change. Make a checklist of projects that need to be done and different ways you want to transform your home. Defining your goals is an important part of the remodeling process in my opinion – it keeps you focused!
Set your budget. How much are you willing to spend on your home remodel? I always tell my clients to be realistic about how much each project is likely to cost, and then add some buffer room. There are almost always unforeseen costs that accumulate, as well as things like acquiring a home improvement license. It’s best to overshoot on the budget, which will help alleviate stress in the long run.
Do your research. When you are looking for contractors that fit your needs, it can be hard to know where to begin. Start by asking friends and family if they have a plumber, electrician, carpenter, or building contractor that they have had a good experience with. Personal recommendations are by far the best way to go! I am more than willing to give some great contractors if you would like to reach out to me! Carpet Weavers in Peoria, for example, has some amazing flooring options, decor, and customer service. Menold Construction and Restoration do an amazing job with the hard remodeling work – like removing walls, patching holes, and more. If you are a DIYer, do your research on which projects you would feel comfortable with and confident enough to tackle on your own! If you have the patience and experience to go this route, you can potentially save a good bit of money.
Create your timeline. Naturally, the length of your remodel will be correlated with the number of changes you plan to make. If there is a certain event you would like for your remodel to be finished by, add a few extra weeks of buffer (these things always tend to take a little longer than expected!). You can also consult with your contractors and subcontractors to get more specific estimates on how long each project will take. Having a timeline in place helps your expectations to be realistic.
Spend where it counts. It can be challenging to know when to splurge and when to let the budget win. There are some areas in your home that will have a bigger impact than others. In my opinion, these are the rooms in your home you should splurge on! Do you spend a lot of time in the kitchen? Then the light fixtures you fall in love with are probably worth it. Is the staircase the first thing people see when they enter your home? Then you may be able to justify the extra time and money to replace the spindles.
Prepare yourself for unexpected challenges. I cannot over-stress this point! When it comes to remodeling, there are ALWAYS unforeseen delays and costs. If you are planning on on the unexpected from the beginning, you will be much more flexible when they do happen.
If you are considering a remodel and have any other questions for me, never hesitate to reach out! I would be happy to share my favorite stores, subcontractors, helpful advice, or just a listening ear. It’s SO fun to remodel, if we go into the process with the right attitude.
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