Have you finally made the decision to start a total or partial renovation of your home in order to offer you more comfort, space or simply to rejuvenate your home?
Keep in mind that renovation is a project that requires preparation and requires a certain rigor in its progress. A renovation project must be consistent with your priorities, your budget and your expectations. You’ll know soon enough, preparation is the key to any project. Moreover, the renovation work could generate some stress, hence the need to be well prepared to manage the many decisions to be made as well as the changes that will occur in your daily life when the work begins.
5 tips to prepare for renovations
1) Renovation works: list the priorities
In any renovation project, the first thing to do will surely be to take a sheet and a pencil and list the priorities. You will agree that the renovation of your roof , whose insulation leaves something to be desired, which lets water in during winter storms, will take priority over the installation of the new ergonomic kitchen that makes you dream so much.
Establishing your priorities will help you define a more realistic budget that will meet your needs. Moreover, this list of priorities should only contain work that you cannot take care of alone (electricity, plumbing, excavation).
As for painting and installing a new vanity for your bathroom , you could probably do it in person with the help of a friend. However, if the budget allows it or you are totally allergic to DIY, then indeed this type of work could well be on your list!
2) Define your renovation needs
Do you know Pinterest? This tool is very useful for finding home improvement inspiration. Are you looking to enlarge your living room , but you can’t visualize its new layout? Your kitchen is not very practical and you want to modernize it? Pinterest will certainly make you happy. Depending on the needs, you will find hundreds of ideas for each room in the house that will help you get a clearer idea of ​​the result you are looking to achieve.
In the event of major renovations, you will surely be asked to hire an architect or an architectural technologist to draw up the plans. In most cases, municipalities require plans signed by a professional to grant you a permit for your renovation work.
You can also hire a building engineer to diagnose the condition of your residence. Thus, you will have a professional view of the necessary renovations and the feasibility of the work. The engineer can also study your electrical, electronic or sanitary installations to ensure their compliance.
3) Establish a budget for your renovation project
The budget stage is essential. It is the latter that will allow you to make your work possible. Before contacting the contractors, you will need to establish a budget for your renovations. If you don’t have a specific budget, estimate at least a price range. Indeed, it is difficult to do the same work for $10,000 to $15,000 as for $35,000 to $40,000.
This range will therefore allow you to know what is possible to do in the short and medium term for your home. In addition, do not forget to budget for possible contingencies (about 10% to 15% additional) compared to your initial budget to cover unforeseen overruns. Each house has its secrets and the older your house , the greater the risk of discovering surprises that will inflate the bill.
Also, contact the contractor to find out what material will be used. Depending on your means, the latter can accompany you in your project and advise you. For every budget there is a suitable type of material.
To calculate your budget, you can take into account your savings, your self-financing capacity and, if necessary, the loan granted by your bank.
Do you need advice to establish your budget? Consult our article How to establish a realistic renovation budget? or try our price calculator !
4) Find a contractor
Once your needs and your budget have been established, it’s time to find a contractor. He will be able to study your request and prepare a detailed estimate. Don’t forget that it is recommended to compare 3 or 4 certified contractors before settling on a final choice.
So, forget the handyman who redid your brother-in-law’s neighbor’s bathroom and call on a certified professional who will be an expert in his field. A real entrepreneur is experienced and has the necessary licenses to practice (these licenses go hand in hand with insurance that protects you).
5) Do not neglect mental preparation
By embarking on renovation work, you will certainly go through a multitude of emotions: reflection, anxiety, enthusiasm, which are often accompanied by various questions. Did you make the right choices? Will the budget you have established be respected? Will you be satisfied with the result? This is already trying, we grant you.
But don’t think it’s all over when the work starts, because the stress is just beginning. To carry out residential renovations is to accept having a daily presence of workers at home. This intimate place where you like to cut yourself off from the world to focus on your family will be invaded by a few strangers, which will certainly disrupt your little daily routine. A renovation project is exhausting, messy and above all noisy for you and your neighbours.
Our advice: breathe, relax, because there is no point in worrying yourself. Try to change your habits slightly by giving yourself more outings to escape from this building site that has settled in your cocoon. Tell yourself that everything has an end and that soon you will have a renovated house that will be all the more comfortable and welcoming.
