Are you considering making some small home upgrades to your present home or the home you just bought? Here are some main tips before doing it.
Resale Value
Even you have the idea to stay in your current home longer, try to think about the new owner. Please ensure that your upgrade will make a higher resale value for the home. Consider some upgrades in the kitchen, hardwood floors installment, having more open space, adding some decks, etc. Or even making the garage look neat and clean can increase the value.
Planning
Spare some time planning what you want over and over. Visit IKEA for some storage options and spaces. You can visit Houzz online to find ideas. Ask your builder or planner to present to you what the upgrades will appear in 3D. Of course, you don’t want to end up seeing the upgrades while saying, “Oh my God, I wish I could have something much better than this!”
Contractor
Select your contractor carefully and try to obtain three bids from them. Ask them to speak with you as their client, ask them for permission to take a closer look at how they work and tour their job. The last one is that please make sure they can issue an insurance certificate.
Pay attention thoroughly to the contract you are going to sign. Little doubt and being reluctant to ask can make you end up a big regret. Feel free to ask things you don’t really understand. You don’t want to waste your money on something you don’t really understand, do you?
Unexpected “Surprises”
Things don’t always go as you already plan. Some unexpected surprises are not avoidable. Spare some extra money for them. If you can spare 10% of your whole budget, that would be best.
Material Purchase
If you think you can save money by purchasing your materials on your own, you might regret it someday. Contractors dislike this practice. One thing you should know is that they are better, even than you, at selecting materials for sure. No need to worry; they will allow you to make the decision, but let them provide you with options, deal with the transaction and warranty.
Pack your stuff up from the area of your house that will be renovated. Contractors loath having to deal with unnecessary stuff around them that will only slow the work down. Contractors will be a lot happier if you trust them to have the job done without you keeping an eye on them or involving yourself in the work although it’s really fun to see them working. When your home is being renovated, and you think one thing should be taken out of the plan and replace it with the other, tell the contractor at once.
Experts
Even if the renovation is only a small one, please ask an expert to evaluate the job before you make the payment. Few bucks spent on it will guarantee your satisfaction and help reduce unexpected surprises.
