Navigating a Successful Home Improvement Project: A Practical Guide
There is a good reason why millions of homeowners decide to undertake home improvement projects every year. For one, they’re brilliant for increasing the value of the property. This means that homeowners who are looking to move, they can embark on a home improvement project like adding a new bathroom or doing a kitchen refurb as a way to ramp up the asking price. Secondly, home improvement projects increase the efficiency of a property.
For homeowners who are ready to dive in and get started on a project, it’s important to allocate time to thoroughly map out proceedings from start to finish. That way, there won’t be any setbacks that get in the way, and it will make sure stress levels are kept to a minimum. Here is a practical guide on how to manoeuvre through a successful home improvement project, helping homeowners to come out the other side with excellent results.
Research, Research, Research!
Homeowners should never underestimate the value of research. Home improvement projects are no easy feat. In fact, there’s a whole load of cash, mechanisms, and time that goes into completing one. Therefore, conducting as much research as possible in advance is vital. This will help understand the scale of the project and not only lower the risk of getting into debt but being left with unfinished work.
For those going down the DIY route, in particular, it’s crucial to have a thorough understanding of what the project entails. Any slight mistake can be incredibly costly to sort out, so staying informed and researching online is a great starting point. It’s worthwhile to get DIY advice from a professional before work begins.
Carry Out Risk Assessments
Before a home improvement project starts, risk assessments must be carried out. Whether professionals are coming in to do the job or it’s a DIY affair, risk assessments are needed to examine the complexity of the project, as well as address health and safety concerns. This is because there will be all kinds of dangerous tools and machinery that may be used throughout the process.
Risk assessments outline what safety protocols need to be put in place before renovation work gets carried out. They also make sure anyone working on the project is in the correct protective gear. This means wearing gloves, masks, and goggles. It’s wise to hire a professional to carry out the risk assessment so no stone is left unturned. There may be documents that need to be signed too, which is where an image to PDF conversion tool will come in handy.
Find a Reputable Contractor
For homeowners who would prefer to leave the hard work up to the experts, it’s imperative to take time to find reputable providers in the area. There will be dozens upon dozens of contractors who will say they’re more than up to the job. However, they may not have the specialist experience and expertise to carry out work. For example, those looking to do a kitchen refurb should look for contractors who have many years of experience in this field.
Whittling down the list can be challenging. To make things easier, make sure to look at testimonials from clients on the builder’s website. Understandably, they will only display favourable reviews, so it’s a good idea to look on review websites that will house reputable and reliable assessments. This will help in making a final decision.
Establish a Realistic Budget
Whatever type of home improvement project it is, it’s going to cost money! Whether it’s something as small as boosting the kerb appeal or a mammoth loft conversion, homeowners need to set a realistic budget that they can stick with. Unfortunately, too many homeowners in the past have gone into a project with their eyes closed, which means they haven’t budgeted properly for the overall project.
Make sure there is an emergency fund in place. Even the most careful planning can result in unexpected problems during the project. Should this happen, knowing there is extra cash to foot the bill can be a huge stress reliever. There are all sorts of costs associated with a home improvement project that must be taken into account. One of the main of these is the cost of hiring a surveyor or builder.
Lay Out a Timeline
To keep a home improvement project running smoothly, there needs to be a timeline laid out from the offset. This will give an overview of how long everything will take. Of course, we would all like renovation work to be over within a matter of days. However, this rarely tends to be the case!
Look into holidays and events that may impact the renovation speed too. This can also affect the budget as workers may need to be paid more. When a timeframe is established, this gives a clear focus on what needs to be completed and when by.
Communicate With Neighbours
Having consideration for neighbours is important when carrying out a home improvement project. For those who are embarking on major renovation work, loud noises are part and parcel of the process. Therefore, letting neighbours know when work is set to begin will give them a heads up. Make sure this is done well in advance.
Putting notes through neighbours’ doors will show courtesy. Failing to appreciate the concerns of those on the street can sometimes lead to years of hostility and festering resentment. If work overruns, a touching gesture would be to offer an apology and take over a bottle of wine or a bunch of flowers.
Look Into Temporary Accommodation
Time doesn’t stand still during a home improvement project. For those that work from home especially, the idea of sifting through a workload with loud noises and chaos going on simultaneously can be too much to bear. For that reason, it’s a good idea to look into temporary accommodation. Having somewhere quiet to reside while work is carried out will massively reduce stress levels.
Some people opt for temporary accommodation for other reasons. For example, if a bathroom refurbishment is about to happen and there’s only one in the entire house, it won’t be practical or functional to stay in the space! There may be the option to stay at a loved ones which will be far cheaper. Hotels can become expensive very quickly, so check out Airbnb rentals instead as they tend to be more cost effective.
Keep Stress Levels at Bay
Keeping in good spirits throughout a home improvement project can be tough. They don’t come without their stresses and challenges, so being aware of this and putting certain actions into place can significantly lower stress.
Make sure to follow a balanced diet during renovation work. Practicing relaxation techniques can also be a great way to destress after a hectic day overseeing proceedings. When stress levels are kept at bay, this will help in maintaining a positive mindset and seeing the finish line.
While there is no doubt home improvement projects will cause a fair bit of disruption and money, if homeowners follow the advice above, this will be a massive help in keeping everything moving along nicely.
Whether it’s a bathroom makeover, kitchen refurb, or a garden transformation is on the cards, home improvement projects can bring a property up to date, increase its value, and create some much-needed additional living space.
