How to Prepare for a Home Improvement Project

A renovation project can be a long process, but how you prepare can make all the difference. The planning process is not just budget and design, you have to consider what life will look like during this time. If you’re getting ready to take on a home improvement project, read these preparation tips to help it all go smoothly.

Define the Purpose of the Project

There’s a lot that goes into an improvement project, but the very first step to deciding if it’s all worth it is to define why you want to take this on. Take a deep look into why this will be beneficial for your family and how you will use any newly remodeled space to your advantage. With this in mind, you’ll be able to make guided and intentional decisions that will allow you to maximize the design, the budget, and the return on investment.

The decisions to be made in a home project can feel endless. Having an end goal works to your benefit and keeps you on task. For example, if you are looking to grow the size of your home you might take on a basement remodel for added square footage. There is a lot you can do with such a blank space, you’ll want to ensure you design it to cover all of your needs. A meaningful purpose allows you to stay focused and ensures the project is well worth it.

Make a Plan for Everyday Life

When it comes time to tackle a renovation project, you’re probably already planning out the remodel, but have you given any thought to what the plan is for you personally? Home improvement projects can be disruptive if they’re not well understood. They are a large undertaking that takes time and money. To ensure that this process doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort, you’ll want to consider where is best to live for the duration of the project. This could mean relocating to a different room in your home or needing to move to a different space entirely.

If you’re able to stay in your home, you’ll need to plan for the inconveniences that may arise. The project will almost certainly impact the traffic flow of you and your family, as well as the traffic coming in and out of the place by various team members. Don’t forget that a home renovation project changes your daily routine. In a kitchen remodel, for example, you’ll have to consider the loss of appliances, that some projects may require turning off the electricity, and that others can affect water usage.

Organize Your Belongings

After you’ve solidified a plan, you have to organize your belongings. Part of any home improvement project is prepping the space, and one of the first ways to do that is to clear out all of the belongings within it. This begs the question, where does everything go? You have to keep in mind the type of project you’re tackling and the most optimal storage solutions. This can be a project in and of itself before the actual project even begins. Proper organization and preparation are key to staying on time and on budget. You’ll want to be sure you’re seeing this through thoughtfully to start the project off right.

This is a great time to declutter your home. Not only will this make the organization process easier, but it will also allow for a fresh start when coming back in. As you’re moving the items you can sort through what can be tossed, what can be donated, and what you will keep and reintroduce into the space.

Keep Track of Papers, Contracts, or Files

As you move through the renovation, it’s going to be to your advantage to document the process. Prior to the start of the project, you’ll want to make a plan on how you can store sensitive materials like contracts, design plans, and receipts. As you’re preparing to store these documents, remember that you may need to check them periodically to assure everything is going according to plan. You’ll also want to keep track of any revisions to the plan that have been made along the way. So, the storage solution of these documents should allow them to be safe and well-kept, but still easily accessible.

Open the Line of Communication

It’s important that you’re aware of how much communication will need to occur between you and the team helping you renovate. Whether you’re working with contractors, designers, suppliers, or tradesmen, it’s extremely common and expected that you’re going to go into this process with questions and have even more arise along the way. Do not be afraid to ask! You should know exactly what is happening and should be open to understanding the process along the way.

Along with being open to asking questions, you will need to be available to give answers. Communication is a two-way street! Whoever you’re working with will appreciate your willingness to discuss and work through any problems or decisions to be made.

These are just a few of the ways you can prepare your home and lifestyle for an improvement project. By making an intentional effort to plan, keep organized, document the process, and prepare for open communication, your project will not only be much more manageable, but enjoyable.

In case you have any architectural, structural, and MEP design requirements, or need your home improvement design including structure and HVAC design, feel free to contact us.  We provide you with the full permit set design + T24 for your request.

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Ivan Young is a writer from Happy Writers, Co. in partnership with designer furniture retailer, Bauhaus 2 Your House.