The Steps You Should Take Now, To Be Prepared for Your Home Renovation Later

Over the past few months, I'm sure you've spent more time in your home than ever before. Naturally, you've probably noticed aspects that have not bothered you in the past, but now you're eager to change. Whether it's your outdated flooring, small master bathroom, or the desire to finally add that dreamy sunroom you've always wanted, you might be more motivated now than ever before to renovate your home. But, in light of Covid-19 and the uncertainty that it has caused, is now really the right time to renovate your home? It might be. Since the pandemic has caused a large decline in the demand for home construction, it is more likely that contractors will complete your project at a lower cost and a faster time frame. 

If you choose to go ahead now with your renovation, here are some important ways you can best utilize your stay at home time to be prepared and ready for when the job begins.

Thoroughly Research

It is important to take time to be thorough while researching contractors to make sure you get the most bang for your buck. After you have a vision of what you would like your project to look like and feature, spend time researching the contractor's past work and reviews. Also, check for qualifications such as license, insurance, and years of experience.

Concentrate on the budget

Home improvement projects are both timely and costly. It is easy to get wrapped up in all the different features and upgrades that you may want, driving you way past your target budget while renovating. Therefore, it is important to consider the return on investment that the project will provide. For example, kitchen and bathroom renovations tend to provide the greatest yields, therefore it would be best to allocate a larger sum of your money to improving those rooms. In addition, there are usually expenses that come up that you did not originally intend on, so it is wise to set aside 10% to unknown costs. Before finalizing your construction plan, it is also important to consider the different ways you can pay for your renovation. An FHA 203(k) loan, Home equity line of credit, and 401(k) loan are just a few options that homeowners can choose from.

Prepare for construction

Preparing for construction is an essential step to take to prevent you from losing your mind and being stressed during all the hectic activity going on in your home! The first thing you can do to be prepared is to take an audit of your belongings for insurance and storage purposes. Second, updating your security system during a renovation is important, as people will be coming in and out of your house throughout the day, even when no one is home. Besides, having a functional appliance plan is necessary when remodeling a kitchen. A mini-fridge, small convection oven, and outdoor grill should be considered so that you can still store food and cook. Last, in light of COVID-19, it is also essential to make sure you have a place to set up portable toilets and a separate entrance into your house dedicated to workers, to avoid minimal contact and maintain social distancing standards.

Renovations can be stressful-especially during a pandemic. However, if you use this time to take these steps, mixed with our top-notch safety precautions, you will be more prepared for that dream renovation now more than ever!