Have you lost interest in the way that your home looks? Maybe it's time to consider a home improvement project. A home improvement project can be as small or as big as you want, and it doesn't have to cost a fortune, either. New shelving and a fresh coat of paint, for example, can transform a kitchen from disorganized and dated to coordinated and fresh.
But before you take the leap and start your next home improvement project, there are certain things that you must keep in mind to ensure that the process runs smoothly. Big or small, there will undoubtedly be a learning curve, so it's good to be prepared for what’s about to come. Otherwise, you might find that your project is frequently being pushed back or that you’re running over budget.
To help make this process a little easier, here are 6 key considerations that you should keep in mind throughout your home improvement journey.
But before you take the leap and start your next home improvement project, there are certain things that you must keep in mind to ensure that the process runs smoothly. Big or small, there will undoubtedly be a learning curve, so it's good to be prepared for what’s about to come. Otherwise, you might find that your project is frequently being pushed back or that you’re running over budget.
To help make this process a little easier, here are 6 key considerations that you should keep in mind throughout your home improvement journey.
6 Things To Consider Before Making Home Improvements
Will You Do it Alone? Or Hire an Interior Designer?
If you’ve always had a dream home in your mind and you know exactly what you want within it, there’s no reason why you can’t take on the improvement project yourself. Using resources such as Pinterest and Etsy to fuel your creativity, you can soon design a home that’s to your exact taste.
But if you want to take a backseat whilst still being in control of at least a portion of your vision, maybe consider hiring a professional designer to help with the project. Sharing the dream of what you want, they will be able to professionally design a space so that it’s chic, stylish and suitable for your lifestyle.
One major drawback with hiring a professional such as a designer is that they can pretty pricey – so you will want to ensure that your budget allows for this before you start your search for one.
But if you want to take a backseat whilst still being in control of at least a portion of your vision, maybe consider hiring a professional designer to help with the project. Sharing the dream of what you want, they will be able to professionally design a space so that it’s chic, stylish and suitable for your lifestyle.
One major drawback with hiring a professional such as a designer is that they can pretty pricey – so you will want to ensure that your budget allows for this before you start your search for one.
How You’ll Finance It
Before setting a budget, consider how you’ll be financing the project. If it's a small project then you might not have to think about funding it, and could probably handle it through your own means. But if not, you might have to look at other ways you can help to finance it – such as through secured homeowner loans. Although you will have to pay this back, it will be over time – giving you more time to save and pay it back. Additionally, making home improvements are sure to increase the value of your home, making it more attractive to buyers when it comes time to sell.
Try and Stick To a Budget
Now, chances are that you will break your budget at least one time throughout the project, so it’s worth creating a realistic budget before you even start. Your budget should include how much you want to spend on furniture, fittings, labor, etc. Within this, you can also include a timeline in which you want all of the work to be completed.
Be accurate and specific with your budget by looking at your finances first. If you don’t have the leeway to take on a major home improvement, don’t push your finances to the limit. Make smaller changes at first and then make any larger adjustments over time when you can afford it – this will spread out the costs so that it’s not a huge initial outlay.
Be accurate and specific with your budget by looking at your finances first. If you don’t have the leeway to take on a major home improvement, don’t push your finances to the limit. Make smaller changes at first and then make any larger adjustments over time when you can afford it – this will spread out the costs so that it’s not a huge initial outlay.
What Permits and Certifications You’ll Need
For certain home improvement projects, you’ll need specific permits and certifications to start (and complete) the work. To be sure of what you’ll need, contact your local city or town hall and let them know what you're thinking about doing. Minor home improvements, such as new windows, doors and other interior finishes, most likely do not require permits. Larger projects, such as kitchen and bathroom remodels, extensions and additions, probably do. With the appropriate eligible local authority certifications, there won’t be any interruptions caused by possible violations.
What Furniture Will You Want?
Want to give your home a makeover without making large renovations? A fresh coat of paint, a new carpet or hardwood flooring and updated furnishings might be all you need.
From Visually.
It Won’t Be Perfect Straight Away
This is one of the most important things to keep in mind throughout the process – your home won’t be perfect straight away.
If you have the drive and vision, you can take on a home improvement project that’s complete in a good timeline. But sometimes life doesn’t allow you to make all of the changes you want at once. Busy with work and family life, the timeline might start to drag out. And in this situation there’s only two things you can do really – 1) keep the vision and don’t give up and 2) try not to let it drag on too much, so that your budgets go out of the stratosphere.
If you have the drive and vision, you can take on a home improvement project that’s complete in a good timeline. But sometimes life doesn’t allow you to make all of the changes you want at once. Busy with work and family life, the timeline might start to drag out. And in this situation there’s only two things you can do really – 1) keep the vision and don’t give up and 2) try not to let it drag on too much, so that your budgets go out of the stratosphere.
Whether you are a brand new homeowner and want more equity or you’ve lived in your house for decades and are thinking about selling, it’s important to understand your home’s value and what you can do to capitalize your home improvement projects without breaking the bank. Use the infographic below to educate yourself:
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