If you own your home, it’s a good idea to regularly do some work on it. First, it’s all about maintaining your property to the best of your ability so that it stays in better condition for longer. In addition, well-thought-out and executed improvements help to improve your quality of life. This is important if you plan to spend many more years in your home! And finally, some renovations can easily increase the value of your home by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. This is particularly interesting if you plan to resell your home in the coming months or years.

Of course, such work often requires a lot of preparation, time, and expense. But the result is worth it. It all starts long before the work begins when you plan your project. If you want to take the best possible approach, follow these 4 steps to prepare for your home renovation.

Establish a detailed plan for your project

The first step in planning is to define your renovation project precisely. Specifically, you need to develop a plan that clearly outlines the purpose of your work and the tasks that need to be completed to achieve it.

For example, your goal is to improve the insulation in your home. Start by re-insulating the walls, roof, and basement walls. Then, replace your windows if they are not airtight enough.

Manual or electric, in PVC, aluminum, or wood: a roller shutter in renovation will always be more insulating than a swinging model. In addition, if your budget allows, you can also plan to install roller shutters during the renovation. If they are made to measure and installed perfectly, they will improve your home’s insulation. You can find them in specialized online stores, like this site.

In addition, your project plan should also include:

– A list of your needs and wishes.

– Plans, diagrams, or sketches of your finished project. Inspiration photos are also relevant.

– The stages of the project are divided into 2 categories: the work to do yourself and the work that will require the intervention of a professional.

Finally, at this stage of planning, find out about your municipality’s regulations and construction/work permits. Indeed, some major renovations (such as a garage or an extension) are subject to restrictions. It’s best to be aware of these restrictions before starting work!

Define your budget

The next step is to determine the budget for your home renovation. In practice, this should include the costs of permits and building materials, labor costs, and any costs related to decorating or cosmetic alterations.

Here’s how to set your budget:

– Decide how much you want to spend in total. Within that amount, set aside at least 10% for unexpected expenses. You won’t regret it!

– Get quotes from professionals for the work involved.

– Price all the materials needed.

Compare the different options and choose the most favorable quality/price ratio. Be careful; selecting a low-end material, equipment, or service is not advisable when renovating a house. You risk unpleasant surprises in quality, solidity, practicality, and durability. And in the end, you’ll have to pay even more for repairs or replacement.

Also, if your cost estimates are higher than your budget, go back to the first step of your plan. Then go through it in detail and eliminate the lowest priority items. You may be able to do them later.

Finding the right providers

Next, you’ll need to put together a team. If you are renovating your home yourself, consider asking friends and family to help. This will make the job easier and faster.

And if you hire professionals, don’t just base your decision on their cost. Consider these criteria as well:

– Years of experience: an experienced contractor with many references is safer than a newbie.

– Certifications: Ensure the contractor has the required approvals and certifications for the work you want them to do.

– Warranties: at a minimum, the contractor should have liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Other guarantees may also be attractive depending on your project.

– References: Don’t hesitate to contact former clients who have hired this professional for a project similar to yours to get some feedback.

– Payment: A reputable contractor will not ask you to pay the full price upfront. You’ll probably have to pay a deposit, but you may be able to negotiate the terms.

Also, if you are hiring multiple contractors for the same job, determine who is responsible before the project begins. This will avoid any confusion or slowdown later.

Develop a schedule for the work

Finally, it’s time to set your schedule. Please discuss with your contractors how long each part of the project will take, the order in which they should be completed, and what work can be done simultaneously. At this point, choose the desired start date or, if you hope to have the project completed by a specific date, make a back schedule instead.

In addition, make sure your schedule includes:

Renovating your home can be daunting, if not daunting, adventure, especially if you are new to the process. – The time needed to prepare the work area.

– Ordering and delivery of materials.

– Possible contractor vacations.

– A few days’ leeways in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Whatever the project, your renovation will involve many details that should be anticipated as much as possible. And you’ll need to be prepared to deal with the ones you don’t expect.

We hope the steps and tips in our article will help you better identify, prioritize and plan your renovations. The goal is to help you manage your renovations more serenely while respecting your budget and schedule.