Whether you’re looking to remodel a recent home purchase, make your existing home a better fit for you, or upgrade prior to listing your home remodeling projects are a great way to increase value and modernize.

But before you get started on your remodeling project check out our top 5 expert tips to help your upgrade go smoothly. 

1. Keep Your End Goal in Mind

What are you hoping to accomplish with your remodel? Are you prepping to sell your home or make it a more suitable place for you to stay longterm? Are you wanting cosmetic changes or a layout makeover?

Asking these and other questions can help you focus your remodel and achieve the best results. Always keep the end goal in mind.  

2. Know Your Limits Before Jumping Into a Remodeling Project

Whether you’re a hardcore DIYer or a remodel novice, it’s important to identify your limits before beginning a remodel. Figure out which tasks you’re willing to tackle on your own and which you’ll need to outsource to contractors. 

You’ll also need to evaluate your financial limits if you’re using a loan to fund your project. This can help you identify what you can really afford to accomplish. 

3. Money, Money, Money

While it may be bothersome, it is absolutely essential that you set a detailed and realistic budget before starting your remodel. It will take research and work beforehand to get a realistic idea about the cost of supplies and contractors.

But in the end, having a detailed plan will likely prevent surprise expenses and help you save money.

Research shows that 90% of homeowners want to do some type of home remodel. If the remodeling project is in a home that you are looking to buy, you may want to consider applying for an FHA 203k loan which can add an additional amount of money to the mortgage for remodeling costs. Look here for more mortgage options.

4. Reconfigure Your Home

If you’re living in your home during the remodel then you’ll need to do some reconfigurations.

Will you need additional storage like a storage unit or storage container to put the things that usually fill the room or area? If it’s a kitchen or bathroom, will you need to set up a replacement area to do the tasks that usually happen in your remodel zone?

How will you ensure that kids and pets stay out of the remodel area so that they are safe from dangerous tools, surfaces, or substances?

These factors and more need to be considered so that the remodel isn’t a huge interruption to your daily life.

5. Create a Master Plan

Once you’ve considered all of these points it’s essential that you establish a master plan. Your plan should contain any renderings, your notes on the end goal, budget tracking, supplies lists, contracting bids, etc. 

in essence, whatever paperwork you have related to the remodeling project should have a place in your master plan. Consider using a 3 ring binder with dividers and pockets so that you can safely organize all the information you need. 

Keep your binder in an accessible location so it’s handy whenever you might need it. 

Now What?

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to get started on your remodel today.

Tell us about your upcoming remodeling project in the comments below!