Home Improvement Checklist
Planning house remodeling means making your home improvement checklist. It’s a list of basic steps you need to complete to make your home improvement a success-story, not a failure.
There are basically several stages, depending on scope of your renovation project. Let’s get more details on these stages.
Planning
1. Make a wishlist and a shortlist
Firstly, write down a shortlist of crucial repairs or renovations. Keep in mind, these works directly affect quiality of life in your house, property value, or eliminate life threatening risks in your house. For instance, an electrical problem imposes direct fire hazard. It can be also plumbing issue, like leaking pipes, faucet, clogged drains, etc. Damaged ceiling after pipe or roof leak can also be a priority Nr. 1, as, otherwise, it will result in mold giving even more headache to homeowner.
Secondly, if you are in mood for greater changes, make additional wishlist of home improvements that can boost the quality of life and house value. For example, replace old floors, change HVAC system for highly-efficient one, change the windows, make additional bathroom, convert your basement into family room, etc. Check taxation benefits for home-improvement to get financial motivation for your projects.
2. Make a budget
Making the budgets is essential part of home improvement checklist. Check your financial position for the next 1-6 months depending on home improvement scale. How much money you can dedicate for the short-list works? How much money you can get for your wishlist of home-improvements? If you need to borrow money, what APR and repayment terms will you seek for? Check conditions for home-improvement loans from several financial institutions. Determine the core budget for the most important issues and additional value for unforeseen or additional “wishlist” items.
3. Plan your time
Home-improvement takes time from the home-owner even if he has a great contractor. You need to have spare slots in your calendar to check the progress of works, discuss the next steps, choose the materials. There is a lot of interaction between the home-owner and contractor aimed for the best result of the project.
Research and selection
1. Choose the right contractor
Choosing the right contractor is 80% of success of your home improvement project. Check our post “Hire the right contractor” for more expert tips on this ctopic. Rememeber core principles: compare “apples to apples”, verify credentials, referrals, don’t fall on the cheapest price.
2. Verify the documents and legal requirements
Check with your state, county, city, or township if your project requires any permits or endorsements. You can ask your contractor about this and call the local city hall. Don’t be reluctant about permits and licenses. Some states protect home-owners against contractor’s incompetence, but this only works for licensed contractors. Moreover, it pays off to have alterations and additions according to the Codes, when you sell the property.
Check the contract, estimate, or quote from your contractor for any specific clauses about the cancellation, payment provisions, contractor and home-owners responsibilities. Make sure you understand when you pay and for what? Who pays for materials damage? Will your contractor provide COI (certificate or insurance) issued by his insurance provider?
Award the contract and start your renovation project
Adjust your shortlist and wishlist based on your budget limitations and contractors’ quotes. Finalise the contract and scope of works for the contract. Check the project start and finish dates in the contract. This will help you plan your family calendar. Sign the documents with contractor (remember, both sides).
Accomodate some “oasis” for you and family – a place that can stay untouched during the major renovation cycle. You’ll need it. Plan some wellness activities to keep the balance in your life.
Off you go and enjoy the journey with your contractor to create a better version of your lodging! Remember, this is creative and rewarding process!
