Many new homeowners prefer to purchase a “fixer-upper”, or a property that has potential but needs a lot of work before it’s where you want it. Some of these properties are even uninhabitable, without the requisite renovations. 

Whether this is the case with you, or you simply want to finally get your older home back up to scratch, you’ll need to prepare for your new project. A complete renovation isn’t something to be sniffed at, as you will have to invest time and money into your home. However, it’s easily worth it to have something that’s functional, beautiful, and uniquely yours.

Here are some tips to get you started. 

Plan Your Project

Before you can do anything else, you will need to know exactly what your project entails. This will inform everything else, so decide on what you actually want to do with your property. Even if you’re going to rip everything out and start from scratch, you should have at least an idea of the process and order that you’ll work, as well as what work will need to be done.

This is the best way to make sure that everything else goes smoothly. As well as the organizational side of things, planning will help you to know which permits if any, that you’ll need to fill out. Some projects might not need any paperwork, but most major renovations will require at least a home renovation permit. 

It’s your responsibility to make sure that your project adheres to building codes and regulations. These codes are what ensure that your structure is safe and built consistently. 

Set A Budget – And Stick to It

Another important part of planning your project is to set an appropriate budget. Home improvement is an expensive prospect, often costing thousands of dollars. The price depends on several factors, including the age and state of your property, what you have planned, and how much of the work you can do yourself. Generally speaking, you’ll likely spend around $10 to $60 per square foot on the renovation.

Your budget will depend on a few things, including what the purpose of your renovation is. If you plan on increasing the value of your property so that you can sell it for a profit, then you should make sure that you don’t spend too much when compared to the value of your home. For example, when it comes to home improvement projects, windows are often one of the first areas that homeowners think about upgrading. Not only do North Georgia Replacement Windows add value to your home, but they can also improve its energy efficiency and help to keep your family comfortable throughout the year. 

However, window replacement can be a significant investment, and it is important to budget carefully before beginning any project. There are a number of factors to consider when budgeting for new windows, including the type of window you want, the size of your home, and the number of windows you need to replace. In addition, it is important to factor in the cost of installation. Once you have a clear idea of your budget, you can start shopping around for the perfect windows for your home.

A good rule of thumb is to spend less than 15% of the home’s value on each room. However, if you have the funds and the value of your property matters less to you than what it’ll be like for you and your family to live in, you don’t need to stick to this rule.

Speaking of funds, your financial health is a huge indicator of your possible budget. You can take out a loan designed for home renovations, pay by cash, or apply for credit. In any case, make sure that you can afford to pay the cost.

 As well as covering the estimated cost of the work and materials, you should always set aside an additional 10-20% of your funds for unexpected expenses. Something will almost certainly go wrong and, if you don’t end up needing all of this cushion fund, you get a nice surprise out of the deal.

Finally, your budget will be dependent on how extensive your renovation is and the state of the property beforehand. If the property is damaged in some way, it will need to be repaired before anything else can be done. If you’re adding an extension, then that’s yet another expense to consider. 

If you don’t have the funds right now, prioritize the necessary jobs first. Make the property livable, then work from there. Work out an order of operations, and if you’re breaking up the renovations or planning to live in the property while work is being done, consider working room-by-room. 

The Right Contractors

Contractors will be invaluable for this entire project, including during the planning phase. A good building contractor may be willing to quickly evaluate the property and inform you of any structural issues before they start working. They can also offer suggestions to make sure that the project goes as smoothly as possible. 

Get an estimate on the cost of the job and talk it through with the contractor, asking them to break down each cost for you. This will help you to better plan your budget and prioritize certain tasks. 

When looking for a contractor, make sure that they have a good reputation and have the appropriate qualifications and permits to work. A poor contractor can cost you time, money, and energy. 

Tools and Equipment

Some people prefer to hire a contractor for every part of their project so that they can walk into their finished dream house after it’s all done. However, many people like to get their hands dirty, either to save money or so that they can be involved in the renovation process.

Some jobs will require a contractor, but many home renovation projects can be done by relative amateurs. For example, once the construction work has been completed and other skilled jobs are finished, you can likely do much of the decorating yourself. Painting and wallpapering require a measure of skill and time, but it’s certainly possible for you to do it yourself. It’s also much cheaper than hiring someone else.

If you plan on taking on some of these jobs, you’ll need to have the appropriate tools and equipment ready to go. These differ depending on the job, but a basic toolbox, a set of ladders, and painting equipment should cover most tasks. 

As well as these basic tools, you should have a way to get rid of any debris or rubble generated by your project. A complete renovation isn’t just a lot of work, it also produces a lot of mess. For example, if you have a new kitchen, then that old kitchen will have to go somewhere. A company like Breeding Roll Off allows you to rent roll-off dumpsters to make it far easier for you to get your trash to the landfill.