If you are in the market to sell your home, or maybe you just want to spruce it up a little, a remodel can help, but there are a few things you should consider before beginning.
Know Your End Goal.
Have a vision in mind and stick to it. I have seen so many projects start without a clear picture in mind and then promptly fizzle out or become ridiculously extravagant. But think about why you are renovating. Are you hoping for increased value for a quick sale, or do you plan on enjoying the new additions for several more years?
If you plan on selling, consider which renovations provide the greatest ROI. If you are staying for a while, which renovations are you going to enjoy more often? Having your project plan in place will help you stay on track when working.
Have and stick to a budget.
This ties back to knowing your end goal as well. How much renovation can you really afford? Do you really need top-of-the-line appliances? Do you really need to replace all your cabinets, or do they just need a fresh coat of paint? Think about what you really need and want, research the best prices before beginning, then stick to that.
Look into the cost and lead times for the items that you’re going to need and the contractors you’ll need to hire, well in advance of the project. The lead time on kitchen cabinets and windows can be three to four months. Also, some contractors are available within a week, but they can also be so busy you need to book them a month or two in advance.
There is nothing worse than gutting your kitchen or bath, and then finding out it will be three to four months before you can get cabinets delivered or two months to get the tile you want or the contractor to install it.
Be careful taking on a project that is bigger and more complicated than you can handle. If you’ve never done a minor bathroom remodel, completely gutting your kitchen and replacing it on your own is probably not a good plan. It might be wiser to save more money and hire a General Contractor. I managed a lot of small jobs before I took on a big one, and I know a lot of contractors.
Consider Your Routine.
A remodel is probably not a regular occurrence, which means your routine will likely be disrupted. If you are renovating your kitchen, consider meal prep and the cooking situation. Are you going to have to eat out more often during the renovation, or can you set up a separate space?
Plan for outages.
Is this remodel going to affect plumbing in any way? Electrical? Think about what you may need to keep your house functional if you need to turn off water or power anywhere for any amount of time.
Plan a reno-free zone.
You probably don’t plan on moving out while you renovate. You will want a space free from the noise and clutter of the renovation. Make sure you have all you need in one place, so you have a functional space to gather, eat, or just unwind.
A DIY renovation is a lot to take on, and there is a lot to think about before jumping into one. But it can add value to your home, make your space more efficient, or create a more comfortable space.
Salt Lake City And You
SLCHomes.com is a great resource to learn more about the city.
You can check out all our blog posts at the SLCHomes.com Blog. This is a great resource for learning more about the current state of the Salt Lake residential real estate market.
If you’d like to sign up to receive our monthly newsletter, the SLC Homes News, contact me and I’ll put you on the list. Thanks!
