In February it will be 9 years since we moved into our likely forever home and my goodness, there is still so much to do! It’s a slow renovation project that often feels overwhelming. If you want to start renovating your home but are not sure where to start, you’re at the right place. Anyone will tell you that renovating is a mixture of emotions, it’s both exciting and stressful at the same time. Home renovations will not just transform your home but also hugely improve your quality of life. The process of renovation can be expensive and time-consuming, so it’s important to plan correctly in order to have a successful home renovation. Before you start, do plenty of research so you can know what to expect. Without planning and organisation, a home renovation can be stressful and disappointing. So, here are 4 important things to consider before renovating your home.
Set A Budget
Before you start, it’s essential to set a budget and I think this is certainly what we worry about the most. It’s easy to fall in love with that high-ceiling modern kitchen you saw on Pinterest, however, it’s important to be realistic and calculate the costs. Factor every little detail in because it’s always better to over-budget than under-budget. For example, if you’re adding insulation, first you need to research what type of insulation is best for your house. Then, you can use an insulation calculator to get an estimate on the quantity of insulation materials needed. A well-insulated home is so important to keep free of mould and mildew as well as keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter.
When you’re setting up a budget for your home renovation, make sure to have a contingency, normally recommended to be around 15%, to cover any unexpected costs that may come along the way, such as blown circuits or burst pipes. Most people often forget that leaving room for unanticipated costs can help, so you won’t need to panic when things don’t go as planned.
Be Realistic About The Timeline
Home renovations usually take longer than expected, so it’s best to try and be as flexible as possible to keep in mind a realistic timeline. While there are easy home updates for a quick refresh (and I definitely love a budget makeover!), there are also longer projects, too. You might think that replacing a bath for example will be quick and easy but in reality, it can take several weeks. Keeping grounded and being pragmatic will hopefully pay dividends for a smoother process.
Start With Your Kitchen
Most people will often cite a kitchen renovation as requiring the most upheaval of all home projects – I’ve certainly seen plenty of people online washing dishes in the bath for 2-3 months. If you’re planning renovations but overwhelmed at the thought of the order, try to start with the kitchen if possible. We’re hoping that as we’ll be building a kitchen onto the back and turning our existing kitchen into a utility room, we’ll hopefully avoid the worst of the upheaval. Using door covers where possible to try and confine the dust and debris to rooms being worked on is a top tip I’ve seen from people in the midst of work.
Think About The Functionality
The functionality of the home is as important as the appeal of the space. You probably have hundreds of ideas about how you want your kitchen, living room, or bedroom to look, but take time to consider the functionality as well.
Big appliances and a small kitchen can make the space feel cluttered and not functional. Picture yourself cooking, using those bulky appliances, using the drawers, opening the fridge, and thinking about the layout and if you have any room to move around. Can you reach the stove easily, can you open every drawer? All of this is important for comfortable everyday life.
I’m hoping that 2024 will finally be the year for us and when the time comes I’ll be keeping all of these pointers front and centre!
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