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How to update older homes with modern home renovations?

If you’re a homeowner, you will eventually want to remodel or renovate. Something will need to be upgraded or replaced at some point in the future, no matter how new the house is. If you ever want to sell the home, you should take good care of it. A successful home renovation project adds a great deal of value, not only in terms of your enjoyment but in its future selling price as well.

Most renovation should to be done by professionals. You can do some of the planning and help do part of the work yourself, but you will need a professional renovation team to take care of the more technical parts of the project.

Here are some factors you must consider:

First, you must think about the reason(s) why you want to renovate. Is the house simply old and in need of major upgrades and retrofitting? Are your family requirements changing? How extensive should your project be? What do you hope to accomplish? What kind of budget are you on? Think about the long-term.

A remodelling project requires a great deal of planning, designing, labour, and finalizing. It’s best to work with one company that can take care of all of these rather than hiring multiple contractors who might not even communicate with each other. A single contract is easier to work with than several different ones.

Once you and your team are on the same page, stick to the plan. During a renovation, the most money and time get wasted due to the original plan changing. Don’t just up and decide in the middle of the project that you want an extra room built on, or that you no longer want the bathroom layout that was agreed upon. Make sure that you are satisfied with the plan before the work commences.

There should be good communication between you and your contractors. Since they will be spending a lot of time at your home, you will need to get along with them. This is why it’s important to talk to a company before agreeing to work with them. Only work with professionals who are easy to talk to and willing to answer all of your questions.

You don’t have to spend a fortune on materials. Call around your local hardware and home improvement stores to ask about current deals. For some appliances, you might be able to find discontinued models for sale at low prices. If you can’t afford solid wood and don’t care for laminate, you might be able to get a hold of some pre-finished engineered wood. Ask your designer for some ideas and recommendations as well.

Consider the amount of time that a given renovation will take. Get a good idea from your contractor as to what to expect. If certain parts (or all) of your home will be unlivable for a period of time, make sure you make appropriate arrangements such as moving necessary items into a different room or even planning to spend some time away. Remember, there is also the possibility of unexpected delays.

home renovations

Even if you do not plan to sell anytime soon, when remodelling, you would likely prefer to focus on projects that will add value to your property. Not all house renovation activities do this. For example, adding an in-ground pool to your yard may seem very appealing for enjoying summers, but this addition can actually detract from the resale value of the home because many buyers do not want to take on the upkeep of a pool. Before you start renovating your home, take a moment to consider which investments will provide the best returns

Improvements to the Kitchen

If you ask realtors which renovations bring in the biggest boosts to purchasing prices, they will almost unanimously say kitchen remodels. Going from old linoleum and aging appliances to tiled floors, new countertops, and stainless steel appliances can make a huge difference to the value of your home and the ease of selling. If you do not want to spend a lot on your kitchen renovation, you can make less expensive changes, such as painting and updating fixtures.

Making the Bathroom Better

The principles that apply to the kitchen also apply to the bathroom. Many potential homeowners look for a bathroom that not only has bathroom with a modern design, but fixtures that make the room feels and functions like a spa. There are plenty of lower budget ways to improve a bathroom as well, replacing out-dated wall coverings, faucets, and lighting fixtures.

Going Energy Efficient

With utility prices increasing from year to year, boosting the efficiency of your home is certainly a good investment. There are simple ways to do so, including adding insulation, caulking, and making other improvements to the building envelope. If your existing HVAC system is older and needing repairs more frequently, it may be worthwhile to invest in a newer, energy efficient model. While it does take some time for these pieces of equipment to pay for themselves in reduced utility costs, reduced repair expenses and added value to the home should help you to recoup your investment and see returns.

Exterior Home Renovations

Increasing the curb appeal of your home can also increase add value to the home. Exterior home renovations can include adding or updating a porch and/or patio, adding outdoor lighting, improving walkways, replacing siding, and many other projects.

What should you look for when researching home renovation companies?

One of the most difficult aspects of having a home renovated is finding the right contractor for the job. There are many home renovation companies out there and not all of them are equal. It’s best to work with one company for the planning, designing, management, and labour. That way, the entire project will be organized.

You’ve probably heard horror stories of horrible contractors before. In order to prevent your own horror story from happening, you need to know what to look for in home renovation companies:

As mentioned above, it’s best to work with one company that offers all of the services you need instead of hiring multiple people from different sources. However, you’ll still want to find out about a company’s hiring practices to make sure that only qualified and reliable contractors with experience working on your type of home will be taking care of the renovation.

Look over portfolios carefully. Do you like the styles of the homes? Does the interior design look like something you would like for your home? Does the company stick with certain type(s) of homes or is there diversity?

You can ask around, although keep in mind that you should still do your own research. Even if your neighbour swears that a renovator did an amazing job on their bathroom, that particular renovator might not be qualified to handle your own project. Go online and read about that renovator as well as others to find out if they would be ideal for you.

Make a list of everything you want before seeing estimates. Try to be as specific as possible with your plans, but leave room for flexibility. If you’re not sure which materials you want, the designer should give you some ideas.

Always look at credentials when researching home renovation companies. All of the contractors working for a company should have required licenses. Only work with a company that offers liability insurance for clients. You should be given a guarantee that there will be no hidden fees.

Poor communication is a deal-breaker. The company you work with should maintain a permanent phone number, address, email address, etc. They should be patient with you and willing to answer all of your questions. Send out a test email or make a test phone call. How long do you have to wait until somebody responds? Do they seem friendly and willing to answer all of your questions?

Don’t work with a contractor until you get all of the details in writing, from the payment schedule to a clause about how disputes will be resolved. Look over the document carefully. Scrutinize every sentence. It should be fair for BOTH sides. Be reasonable and understand that unexpected expenses may occur. Even the best renovation companies can’t foresee everything that might happen. Verify your insurance coverage as well. Get a copy of the renovation company’s insurance policy. Know what is covered by your contractor’s business insurance and your own homeowners insurance.

What Mistakes to Avoid When Renovating Your Home?

When it comes to renovating your home, there are some mistakes you simply must avoid if you want to get the most out of your investment. Many homeowners think that they will get all their money back – and then some – when/if they sell the house, but that isn’t always the case. Don’t allow yourself to become so excited that you don’t think things through. Home renovation is a process that takes time and requires a lot of planning.

Trying to undertake everything by yourself.

Everybody has their DIY limits. You will need help by professionals at some point. You might be able to do small jobs, such as painting the doors and trimming by yourself, but you will require licensed professionals for the more challenging and complex jobs. Trying to do the more difficult tasks by yourself can result in disaster. You will then be stuck paying even more money to have a professional fix your mistakes.

Not working with the right renovation company.

Do NOT hire the cheapest contractor you come across. Work with a renowned company with a lot of experience and knowledge. The Reno Pros is a great choice. Look at portfolios for some ideas regarding houses the same size and style as your own. You might also want to acquire professional management services. Managing the project yourself can turn into a mess – particularly if you are having your entire home renovated.

Not acquiring the right permits.

Every area has certain building codes. Most routine maintenance procedures do not require permits, but many remodeling changes do. Find out what kind of permits you will need, and make sure that everything you plan to do complies with building codes. Failing to do this may result in fines and difficulties selling the house in the future.

Making inaccurate measurements.

This is especially a problem with items like cabinets and bathtubs. If something needs to be built-in, obtaining accurate measurements is a must. Even if you’re just half an inch off, you will either have to return the piece of furniture or appliance and wait for another one to come in, or modify the walls to make the fit. Don’t just measure everything once – measure everything at least ten times, and have someone else take measurements as well to see if they match up with yours.

Home renovation

Home renovation projects are not limited to the inside of the house – updating a bathroom, finishing a basement, remodelling the kitchen. You can also renovate the exterior of your house and optimize the outdoor spaces of your property

Update Your Siding

You can completely transform the look of your house, and improve your home’s curb appeal, by updating the siding. If your siding is old, worn, or in a colour that you do not think is appealing or modern, this is your opportunity to update to something more durable and attractive.

New Porch

Have you always dreamed of having a wrap-around porch complete with a rocking chair and porch swing? During an exterior home renovation, you can make this and other additions to your house. You can make repairs to and old front porch in order to make the entryway to your home more welcoming. This is especially important if you plan to sell the house soon, as the front porch needs to make a good impression on potential buyers.

Add a Patio

If you plan to spend a lot of time outside, and would perhaps like to set up a grill outside and maybe a table and chairs, you can extend your back porch and create a custom patio that will fit all of your needs. Your patio does not have to be a boring rectangle slab. An experienced contractor can help you create a patio made from natural stone or brick that has multiple levels and an awning to provide shade and shelter.

Build a Deck

A deck made from stained wood provides a beautiful, elevated space where you can lounge on a patio chair and watch the sunset every evening. Building a large, sturdy, and safe deck can be a more complicated undertaking than you might anticipate. Have an experienced contractor help you create a structure that can stand the test of time.

How often should you upgrade your kitchen?

How often should you update your kitchen? If you’re jonesing for a new kitchen, that’s the question on your mind. In most homes, the kitchen tends to be one of the rooms which is used the most. Giving you a place to cook, eat, and socialize, this space has long been a crucial element in a home, and it would be very hard to live without it.

With all of this use, though, rooms like these don’t tend to last quite as long as the others in your home. To help you to get an idea of how long most kitchens will last, this post will be exploring some of the key elements which make them age, giving you an idea of when your kitchen might be done for.

Update Your Kitchen According to Time & Trends

Kitchen decor is a surprisingly large area in the field of design, and there are loads of trends that are always on the move. This means that most kitchens will start to look a little bit dated as time goes on. Keeping a room like this in fashion will be essential if you want to host, while also making you feel better about the room as you use it on a day to day basis. Of course, though, there’s no need to move from a style if you still really like it.

Use & Abuse

Most people will use their kitchen least once a day. Here, they’ll enjoy cooking, with people passing through and using other parts of the space throughout the day. While they are designed to be hardy, this can make the room deteriorate very quickly. After a handful of years, it will be easy to tell that you have used your kitchen so much. And, the chances are likely you’ll become dissatisfied with its condition happy once it becomes very obvious. Cleaning can help with this, but nothing will beat a renovation.

The Environment

The high standards of energy efficiency being achieved today far surpass the standards of your old kitchen appliances. This means that owning washing machines, cookers, and other machines which are getting old can be very bad for the environment, especially when you use them each day. In most cases, enough improvement has been made in this area each decade or so to make it worth upgrading.TechnologyEnvironmental technology isn’t the only advancement being seen in kitchens, though, with loads of other techy gizmos and cooking gadgets which are designed to make life easier hitting the market. Of course, in this sort of field, staying ahead of the kitchen remodeling game can often be expensive. This will be worth it, though, especially when you are able to use your kitchen for jobs which you never thought would have been possible at home.

When Should You Replace Your Kitchen Cabinets?

When Should You Replace Your Kitchen Cabinets?Have you ever had an old car that required constant repairs? Eventually it gets down to the question: does it make more economic sense to get a new car, or continue making repairs? This same conundrum can occur with your kitchen cabinets as they begin to show signs of ageing.

It’s not uncommon for people to start resurfacing their cabinets only to realize it costs a lot more than they were expecting to make their old cabinets look new. Many homeowners begin restoring original cabinets, and get 70% through the project before wishing they had just replaced the cabinets. That doesn’t mean it’s always a bad idea to repair over replace, in fact sometimes it’s smarter to resurface cabinets than to buy completely new ones. Here we explain the difference between cabinets you should replace vs. cabinets you should restore.

Signs to Tell if your Kitchen needs Renovation

To fully determine if your kitchen needs even a FAST KITCHEN REMODELING, you must evaluate its structure and appliances objectively. Cracked tiles, water damage in the sink, filthy and uncleansed cabinets and drawers, and old appliances are signs that your kitchen needs a make-over. There are no general rules in kitchen remodeling, yet it is essential to check these things in your kitchen to confirm if you need to update your place.

These are some of the factors to check to help you fully decide if your kitchen needs a massive change this year.

Your kitchen is outdated

This issue is one of the usual reasons most homeowners decide to remodel their kitchens. If you sense that there are many ways to modernize your kitchen, then this is a good sign your kitchen has to undergo renovation. Updating an already outdated kitchen provides you with modern amenities and some items that are present in contemporary kitchens like a designated coffee area and a more and better storage capacity. Moreover, modernized kitchen means lesser clutter, cleaner lines and details, and neutral color combination. If you see updated kitchen trends that you want or can integrate into your area, all of these will be possible by a kitchen remodel.

You can afford a kitchen renovation project

Everybody wants to have a more appealing or modernized kitchen. Unfortunately, this desire for a newly-furnished kitchen challenges our time, but most of all, our pockets. Kitchen renovation projects are not cheap-it may even require you to spend some of your hard-earned savings to accomplish it.

For those who are not sure if they can afford it for now, why don’t you check your existing equity and determine how much it will you cost to renovate your kitchen first? But if you can spend some amounts of money to furnish your kitchen, feel free to make the most of it!

Your existing kitchen space isn’t functional anymore

They say that change is the only permanent thing in the world, and that goes with your kitchen. Maybe a few years ago, your kitchen fit just for you and your spouse. But as time went by, a new life with either a new career or the children makes your kitchen not working for you anymore. Maybe you will need additional space where anyone can do their stuff like doing homework or socialization. Regardless, whatever you need to make your kitchen more functional can be resolved by a kitchen renovation.

When Do You Need a New Dishwasher?

For many households, dishwashers are indispensable, providing a valuable way to reduce post-meal tasks and improve overall cleanliness. However, dishwashers get old, break, and need replacements during kitchen updates, just like any other appliance.

Modern dishwashers are designed to last around 10 years, but if you start seeing these signs of wear and tear issues before that point, it may be time to invest in a repairman or a new dishwasher:

• Rust on the exterior that can indicate a water leak that isn’t necessarily visible
• Standing water in your dishwasher, indicating a serious clog
• A door that doesn’t properly latch or lock
• Cold dishes following a cycle
• Cracks or damage to the door or frame
• Leaking water on the floor under the unit
• Dishes that are spotty or dirty after a wash cycle

In some cases, a repair or parts replacement can fix these issues, but most of the time, a full replacement is the best option. Replacing a dishwasher will increase energy efficiency and improve the quality of your kitchen cleaning endeavors.

Top Signs Your Cabinets Need To Be Replace

Kitchen cabinets are exposed to more water, steam, and other damaging elements than cabinets in most other parts of your home. Because of all kitchen cabinets must endure, they often need to be replaced before other cabinets in your home installed at the same time. Here are 5 signs you should consider replacing over refacing your cabinets.

Water Damage

Are your cabinets swollen, not properly closing, or showing dark color spots? If yes, your problem might be water damage. Since most kitchen cabinets are crafted from wood, water damage is a likely occurrence. Wood can easily be damaged by water, and in your kitchen there is always a lot of water, especially if you have a leak somewhere.

In some minor instances, water damaged cabinets can be fixed. Here are signs of more serious water damage if the:

• Wood has started to warp.
• Cabinets are bubbling up on the inside or outside.
• Outsides are de-laminating.
• Wood has started to blacken, or otherwise change colors.
• Cabinets show signs of mold.
• Cabinets do not open or close properly.

The first step is always to find and then stop the source of the water from getting into the wood. Next, you want to sufficiently dry out the cabinet. Once dry, the appropriate repairs can be made, if possible. This will include replacing certain parts and bleaching out stains, a process that can take some time and money. You want to be sure that it is possible to repair your cabinets before embarking on the task.

Overall Function Is Frustrating

If the overall function of your cabinets does not work for you, this is another sign that you may want to replace instead of repair. No matter how aesthetically pleasing you refinish your cabinets to look if they do not efficiently function you will still be craving a remodel.

Signs the design of your cabinets could benefit from replacement:

• If your cabinets are hard to access and require removing items in order to reach other items tucked in the back.
• If the cabinets open up all wrong. For instance, if you open 2 cabinet doors at once and they slam into one another.
• The drawers do not open without getting stuck, making an odd sound, or causing some sort of issue. This is a sign of further damage beneath the surface. Simply removing the drawers and refacing them will not fix the problem.

“Soft” Cabinets

Have your cabinets gone soft? Push on the sides of your cabinet walls, do they feel soft at all? If so, this is a sign that your cabinets are badly damaged will soon fall apart completely. The sides of your cabinets are SO important, if they are not in good condition there is no point to waste money making aesthetic changes.

Moldy Cabinets

Mold can grow from so many different surfaces, including your kitchen cabinets. When mold is caught early on it can be cleaned up and stopped, but when mold is left unidentified it will continue to grow and worsen. Not only can mold compromise the general integrity of your cabinets, but also large quantities of mold can hamper you and your family’s health. Mold is usually caused by a water leak somewhere, so at the first sign of mold you should identify the source of water so that the problem does not continue to occur.

TIPS FOR PLANNING A MAJOR HOME RENOVATION

It was purchased knowing we’d have many years of home renovations on our hands but the lot and location sold us, along with the dream of making it our own. We were a newly married couple who fancied themselves as quite handy but we were a bit naive and didn’t forecast the hurdles we would face.

plan for the first year was to remove the dusty rose carpeting, pull down walls on the main floor to make it open-concept, and do windows. We felt prepared and aware when we moved into this 1970’s raised bungalow but within a month of the first winter it became clear that the state of the windows and roof was word than our inspector had thought as the melting snow began to pour into the house. Our plans of beautifying the home were put on hold as we redirected the monies into the roof, insulation, front door and windows.

One of our larger projects (excluding the foundation repairs, furnace replacement and other BORING things) was putting in an in ground pool. This was done in 2008 when we still had many interior upgrades to make but we decided that we needed the outdoor space for the kids in the summer. It was a HUGE undertaking which I wrote about more with my post Thinking of a Home Renovation? Installing the inground pool hasbeen one of the BEST investments we’ve ever made! The kids are super active in the summer because of it and with me working from home now, my summer office is quite lovely.

Right now we are under renovation again and this time it’s one that may challenge my sanity. Our home is a 1300 square foot bungalow with a basement we use. The current basement is brought to us straight from the 1970’s complete with the wood panelling and freezing cold floors.

Prepare a Budget. I can dream of having 10 foot ceilings in my basement but if I don’t have the budget to dig into the foundation, well that’s not happening. By compiling a realistic budget and factoring in our wish list I’ve been able to cross things off and add here and there by researching the actual costs involved. Know your budget in depth and plan

Know your why. What problems are you trying to solve? Most renovations begin with practical issues such as your bathroom may be cramped, you need more storage space in the kitchen etc. Keep this in mind as you plan and don’t get swayed.

Evaluate the structure, systems and general condition of your house. The best start to any renovation is to assess the current state of the bones of your home. List any repairs and replacements which are required over the next 5 years before you spend your money elsewhere.

Don’t cut corners to save a few dollars! Stretching a budget is a good thing but if you’re compromising quality you will be sorry. There may be ways to stretch a limited budget or you could do it in phases over time. But don’t compromise on quality-instead focus on quality work and do it over time if you have to.

Check the local bylaws. We had grand ideas of building an addition but after checking with our local bylaw office we realized it would be much more cost effective to build our living space in the existing basement rather than facing the permit fees involved in a new build.

Look at your neighbourhood. Each home and neighbourhood had an intrinsic value, be certain that the renovation you’re planning won’t exceed the future selling value of your home or neighbourhood.

Don’t focus on trends. Home design trends come and go and much like having the staple items in your closet, plan your renovation to stand the test of time. Use your “WHY” to help you plan out the space and then decorate with the trends other wise you could find that you’ll be regretting it like I regret the wood panelling in my basement.

Keep it simple. Construction and design isn’t cheap! I may want rounded walls all around my home but the cost of that isn’t worth it to me. The more complex the design the higher the budget, keep it simple in order to reduct costs and achieve the same goals in your WHY.

Renovations are uncomfortable. If you’re living in the home you’re renovating be realistic about how uncomfortable. There will be the sounds, smells and DUST of renovations as you live there. We will have no laundry and because the contents are being moved upstairs, we know it will be crowded. Look at your project and be realistic about what your life will be like during renos, if it’s too much consider moving out for the duration.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE DOING A WHOLE HOME RENOVATION

Choosing to do a whole home renovation is a significant undertaking that is bound to be filled with unrealized expectations, numerous planning changes, and unforeseen surprises that hit your budget. It will be a daunting experience, however, the renovation will be extremely rewarding once all is said and done. In order to get the end result that you want, there are a few things that you should know about before beginning this complex process

Check Your Home for Asbestos & Lead. It is important to know that you should ALWAYS get a home inspection done before ripping out any walls, flooring, or roofing. This is because older homes may have asbestos and lead in them, which requires specialized handling and certifications. Preventing the exposure to lead and asbestos is key to doing proper renovation and that is why you should always get the areas you are renovating tested. With this said, if you go ahead without checking for these items, it’s going to cost you tons of extra money that your budget may not be able to handle. It is important to recognize the laws set in place to protect your health and well being put in place by Cal OSHA. Knowing what you are dealing with beforehand is imperative to making sure that the project goes smoothly and is executed correctly.

Have Your Furniture Taken Care of By a Third-Party?  Do not leave your furniture in your home during a whole home renovation. Ensuring that your furniture is in the condition you left it should be carried out by having a contents specialist to assist you in relocating your furniture and belongings in a facility where it will stored away until your renovation is complete. It is bound to get in the way and can potentially be damaged by those who are working around it. It will most definitely save you the stress of having to always keep an eye on your furniture while work takes place in your home.  

Find Another Place to Live During the Remodeling Process.  Running your daily life during a home renovation is going to be near impossible. You will not have access to the majority of your home’s rooms and the noise is going to make it unbearable to stay in during the day. It’s easier to find another place to live during the process. This will ensure that you go about your daily routine and get through your days while the magic happens in your home, creating a efficient environment for all that are participating.

Decide on Scope of Work & Lock in Timelines.  Before you can get to deciding the scope of the work, you need to have a solid budget in place that helps keep the costs in check. It can be very difficult to balance between the dream designs you want and the amount you are financially capable of funding. It is critical that you get a true understanding of the price of both materials, labor, and design so that you can gauge your expectations going in. Once this is done and you have a realistic budget in place, you can clarify exactly what work needs to happen and when it needs to happen during the project timeline.  By locking in your timeline, you can most definitely  lay out ground rules, determine scheduling, and understand how the project will come together.

Make a List of Questions to Ask the Contractor.  Always come up with a set of questions to ask your contractor beforehand. It is always important to address everything that is concerning you or that of which has you most curious about the process. This will give your clarity and understanding and keep you out of the way during the home renovation project. While it is okay to have questions along the way, it can slow down the contractor and delay the process so ask away beforehand so that the contractor can deliver your vision. Remember, it is always encouraged to ask question, it is your home, however, clarifying everything in the beginning is the best way to kick off your whole home renovation.

Create a Clear Vision of What You Want.  You need to have everything picked out before the project begins. This includes what tiles you want, what paint you want, and which appliances need to be bought and installed. By knowing exactly what design you want and how you want each room to look, you will be better at making tough decisions later down the line. Build your vision so it can be brought to life in the manner that you want it!

Know Who You Are Hiring.  This is one of the most important aspects of a home renovation project. You need to know who you are hiring, what their reputation is like, and what type of certifications they have and most of all, know what their character is like based off reviews and testimonials.  While word-of-mouth recommendations are great, make sure to look into who is being recommended and why, as you do not want to go blindly into signing a contract with them. Look at their lien history, their insurance, their certificates, and their bond numbers. Meet with them to make sure that they understand your vision prior to engaging their services. This will establish and solidify who it is that is the right fit for you to carry out your whole home renovation.

Determine Which Items Are Splurge Worthy Early On. When you are making your budget, you will want to determine which items are worth spending more money on. These items should be products that you will use frequently and thus, should have a higher-price tag to ensure that you get high-quality and longer life. If you have an extremely tight budget, choose to forego cosmetic furnishings in order to handle your project in manner you can navigate.

Understand the Inner Workings of Your Home. While it may seem simple to pop a new outlet into the wall, it can lead to you needing to rewire the entire home. So, make sure that you understand the existing conditions of your home and its inner workings. You do not want to short circuit the electrical system or blow a fuse. If you are curious or need assistance to identifying what conditions your inner workings are at, be sure to ask the respective party for an inspection (Electrician/plumber).

Decide on How Payments Will Be Made. You absolutely need a contract that will outline how payments will be made and when they will be made by. Ideally, you want to pay your contractor a retainer up front, 50% halfway through, and the remainder when the project done. This will establish a solid relationship with yourself and the contractor and have the efficiency you need. Deciding on how these payments will be made is important, as you will need to manage your finances around them.

Home Improvement Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

It doesn’t matter if you’ve bought a newly built home, a condo in a maintained community, or a fixer-upper—owning your own place brings out the home improvement itch in us all (or at least requires us to do necessary repairs and maintenance tasks)

If you were offered $100,000, no strings attached, what home improvements would you do? Chances are, a long laundry list of changes come to mind, from refinishing the hardwood floors to adding a new bathroom. Some home improvements, however, are more likely to increase your home’s value than others. Although you shouldn’t think of your home as an investment, with limited home improvement funds, it’s good to consider whether a project has a decent return on investment.

Whether winter is coming or you’re considering projects in another season, some home improvements are more urgent than others—saving you money immediately or preventing devastating damage. Sometimes it only takes ten minutes or less to make simple changes around the house that boost your living space.

Even if you’re a weekend warrior with a well-stocked workshop, not all home improvement projects are suitable to do yourself (or at least, without the help of a professional). Know your limits, start small if you’re a beginner, and then keep calm and DIY on (if you so wish).

Big projects or small, probably all of us could stand to learn some decent home repair or home improvement skills. (All around the home, there are things we should never have to pay others to fix for us.) Learn Bob Villa-worthy skills and help others at the same time by volunteering or through free clinics and other resources. Turn to great reading resources and try starter projects too. If you get stuck on a project, iOS app Fountain will connect you to a home improvement expert to answer your question for $5. (Also, did you know we have a home improvement subblog here at Lifehacker called Workshop?)

Home Renovation and Extension Tips This 2020: Important Things to Keep in Mind

Home renovations and extensions are a hodgepodge of ideas; these are dos and don’ts and considerations that homeowners are most likely to become overwhelmed. However if you take out the unnecessary ones and only keep in mind that which is important, you are bound to find yourself with a peaceful heart and a more beautiful home

Never Rush Designs and Processes

Planning your project may well take longer than executing it, but it is worth taking your time to get it right. Design every detail up front and build according to detailed plans. Don’t design on the fly with builders on site. What seem like small changes can have a serious knock-on effect if not planned properly at the start. Very few extensions or major renovations involving significant structural work and drainage alterations can be done to a good quality in less than five or six months. Internal reforms can be done more swiftly, but the last stages of any building job will inevitably slow down – if only, for example, to avoid carpenters creating dust when the painters are trying to get a flawless finish on their eggshell. Unduly rushed building work will almost always come back to haunt the client.

Ensure Great Builder Reputation

This will make your life so much easier. Ask friends for recommendations and take references. Tender your building works with at least three builders. It’s the only way to ensure you are getting good value for your project. Take the time to go and see some of their previous projects. It is also very important to see their work beforehand so that you understand the finish you will be paying for. If you are particular about the final finishes being perfect, then you need to ensure your contractor can produce this

Never Purchase Cheap Products

Projects often run into problems if clients opt for the cheapest tender. Small builders often don’t use quantity surveyors and sometimes get pricing wrong, or do not fully comprehend the level of detail involved in a project. Familiarise yourself with the actual pricing and be wary of those who offer services below the average price.

Consult Professionals

What with builders, architects, party wall surveyors and building control costs, professional fees will add a big chunk to your outlay. But unless you really understand the process, don’t skimp on experts if you are doing a big project. If you are undertaking a large project, especially one running well into six figures, a quantity surveyor is worth his or her weight in gold. They can drill down on the numbers to a level of detail that a builder won’t and this can really help you get your budgeting right and your costs low.

Home renovation: Two things to consider before committing to change

Home renovations can be a great way to revitalise your property, especially after living there for a long period of time. Now could be the perfect time to take out a home loan and begin brainstorming about all the various additions and changes you’ve ever wanted to make to your property.

Be realistic with your planning

Having ambition is a great trait to have in life, especially when it comes to building and renovating a home. However, you have to be aware of when your plans may not be realistic and achievable. Take into account as many factors as possible when creating your plan – everything from expenses and money costs through to time allowances.

How are you going to tackle this?

There are a wide range of professionals available who can come into your home and take care of your renovations. While this may seem like the more expensive option, it will also help to protect you from causing any damage through your own lack of knowledge or skills.

However, if you feel confident in your DIY abilities, undertaking your own renovations could be a cheaper option to consider. These are just two things to consider before committing to a full scale renovation of your property.