Whole House Remodel: How to Prepare.

Is it time to refresh your aging home? New styles, growing families, and changing needs can all be addressed with a whole house remodel. Homeowners across America find remodeling to be more economical and often preferable to a move up home. If you’re considering a big project, preparation will be key. Here are there steps you’ll need to take to prepare for a successful whole house remodel

Planning is Everything on a Whole Home Remodel

No matter what you do, never go into your project without the proper planning in place. From finding the right remodeling contractor, to agreeing on a floor plan and material choices, planning is key.

Instead of going solely from modern trends, think about your unique needs and what you actually want from your home. Beauty and lasting appeal is one thing, but your home should also be practical and comfortable.

What motivates you to whole house remodel? Is it run down? Do you need an extension with more space? Does your garage need finishing? Maybe a basement conversion and finishing could bring you more living space?

Write down your goals and the features you think your home is missing. This will help when it comes time to draw up plans with your contractor.

Determine Your Budget and Communicate with Your Contractor

Your initial budget will guide the rest of your project. If you’re working on a tight budget you will need to weigh the pros and cons of each addition or renovation.

Think in terms of what could improve your lifestyle. If you plan to sell your home later, then aim for improvements that will increase value and appeal.

Keep in communication with your contractor to ensure your budget isn’t blown out. Reputable home remodeling contractors in Iowa will work with you to complete a whole house remodel that is within your means.

Consider Areas of the Home That Need Repairing

Whole home remodel is a chance to add space or features that are currently missing. It’s also a good chance to renovate or replace aging elements of your home.

Taking care of minor repairs and touch ups will be more affordable when combined with your remodel. Take advantage of the project to get in some of the much-needed work that has been neglected in recent years.

Fresh paint, new light fixtures, and even replacement windows can all add value. Insulation could make your home more energy efficient and more affordable to maintain. If you have plumbing issues or want to improve your plumbing or add new fixtures, then a whole home remodel is the time to do it.

Don’t forget the small things like repairs to your exterior, chimney, or even your deck or patio.

Think About the Future

If you love your neighborhood and your property, then you could remodel your home and live in it for life. Remodeling can modernize, improve, and add convenience to your home.

If you’ll be retiring in your home, then now could be a great time to make improvements with retirement in mind.

More accessible entryways, wider door openings, more living spaces on the ground floor… these are all things to consider if you think you might retire in your current home. You could even add unique features like a stair lift or dumbwaiter.

Other improvements like a central vacuum system could be combined with your remodel. Appliance installations will feel more integrated when they are performed at the same time as the whole house remodel work.

Find a Reliable Home Remodeling Contractor

Most critically, make sure that you choose a contractor you can trust. Ask friends and family for recommendations, or even talk to your colleagues. Interview potential contractors to get details about insurance and their policies on subcontracting. The most reputable whole house remodel contractors will show you examples of their previous work. If you aren’t getting the right feel from a contractor, then find one that you are comfortable with.

Be Prepared for Some Budget Overrun

No matter how well you plan, and even with the best contractor, budget overrun is common. Detailed planning will limit this, but you should still be prepared to spend at least 10% – 15% over your initial budget. Changing material costs, unforeseen structural problems, and a host of other issues could all increase the cost of a remodel.

Again, planning is key here. It will eliminate most of the big surprises and keep any overrun reasonable.

Start Whole Home Remodeling the Right Way

Define your wants and needs. Create a whole house remodel plan and stick to it. The key to a successful remodel is staying focused throughout the process. With some extra planning ahead of time, you’ll be setup for a project that meets your budget and gives you the home of your dreams.