A Beginner’s Guide to Home Renovations

According to a market research report by IBISWorld, remodelling and renovations in the USA has grown by 6.4 percent over the past five years, with total revenue of $99 billion in 2018. The industry is so big that in the same time-frame, the number of businesses has grown by 2.7 percent and the number of employees has grown by 4.4 percent.

What if you’re not looking to enlist the services of a professional and want to carry out a remodeling project on your own? Regardless of whether it’s a spot of painting and decorating or something more substantial like an extension or prefabricated shed, here’s a beginner’s guide to home renovations.

Figure out what you want to do

First and foremost, you should have a clear idea of what renovations or remodeling you want to complete. Think carefully about what matters to you most and take it from there. Maybe you feel it’s time that your home was brought up to date for modern tastes.

For example, a nicely decorated spare bedroom might seem like a fun project, but you’re bound to get more use out of a fully renovated kitchen that gets used on a daily basis.

Come up with a budget and stick to it

It goes without saying that renovations and remodeling costs money. While a lot depends on the type of project you’re undertaking, it’s still important to come up with a realistic budget and stick to it, otherwise there’s a danger that your expenses will spiral out of control.

When creating your budget, remember to add in a contingency for unexpected and unforeseen costs. After all, you may need to employ a professional to complete tasks you’re not confident about or competent in.

Do your research and decide on a plan

If you don’t have much experience in terms of renovations and remodeling, do as much research as possible. Get design ideas from magazines and research how to complete certain jobs online. You may even want to visit new builds or show homes in your local area for added inspiration.

Once you have a good idea of what you’re going to do, try to imagine what the end result would be like to live with. Are all your kitchen appliances within easy reach of each other? Does your garden allow for a change in circumstances like more kids in the future? Ask yourself as many questions as possible.

Ensure everything is above board

While the vast majority of home renovation and remodeling jobs such as refitting a bathroom or kitchen don’t need lawful consent, you should still double check with the relevant authorities.

Building codes typically affect exterior projects such as home extensions and garage conversions. You may also need to look into things like load requirements and seismic provisions.

Get to work and admire your achievement

With everything including materials, designs, and permissions in place, it’s time to get to work on your renovation or remodeling project. It often helps to establish a timeline, which should keep you motivated and focused on the task in hand.

Before long, your project will be complete. The only thing left to do will be to stand back and admire your work.