Follow This Expert-Approved Checklist to Avoid Renovation Regrets
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If it seems like everyone you know is contemplating a renovation, you’re not imagining things. The beginning of the year is both a great time to plan out your home projects and to see them through, as it's before the peak renovating season of late spring and throughout summer for so many designers and contractors. Plus, all of the trend predictions for the year are being reported on in the early months, making it easy to find inspiration.
Whatever you decide to tackle, it's important to know where to start for the most efficient, cost-effective project. We talked to professionals and assembled a check list that will help you navigate the beginning of you project. With these expert tips and some strategic planning, your remodel has a fighting chance to finish on time and on budget.
Make a Wish List
The first step in any renovation is to identify the essentials, says Jean Brownhill, the founder of Sweeten, a platform that helps homeowners find vetted contractors. “Know what’s definitively required, then make a second wish list of nice-to-haves,” Brownhill says, noting that it’s valuable to include all of the changes you’d like to see but might be willing to forgo. When you start to get bids, you may find that some things are less expensive than you imagined and others are more costly. “You’ll learn a lot from the process of getting quotes,” says Lacey Soslow, cofounder of Matriarchy Build, which connects home remodelers with female and nonbinary tradespeople for consultations and services.
Batch the Work
Doing things all at once is more efficient than doing different projects piecemeal. For example, if you need to change the location of your electrical outlets and are investing in wall-to-wall hardwood floors, enlist the same professionals to maximize site visits and shopping trips. Another upside: less disruption to your life. Faith Durand, a homeowner who just finished a bathroom update, advises, “If you have your walls, ceiling, or floor opened up, do anything you think you’ll need to do. Don’t say, ‘We’ll do that later.’ ” When you’re remodeling, it makes sense to think about energy efficiency upgrades too (especially as long as the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act tax credits stay in effect).
Do Your Research
Looking into average costs will give you a ballpark idea of how much you’ll spend, but be aware that data can vary wildly. Prices differ dramatically by market and chosen materials, which can, in turn, impact labor costs. (Subway tile, for example, is way less expensive than natural stone.) Soslow notes that there can also be a big difference in price between newer and “scrappier teams and a builder who has been custom-building for decades.” The goal is to get a range so you’re prepared; your design team will help fill in the blanks.
Create a Budget
Architect Holly Mumford, who sells ready-made house plans through her design studio, Hereabout, says start by making a list of every single item in your home that’s being changed, including little details like cabinet hinges and dimmer switches. Then plug those items into a spreadsheet and assign a guesstimate cost to each. Even after you settle on a price with a general contractor (GC), you’ll still need a fund for unexpected expenses. “Build in a cash reserve for issues that come up along the way,” says Brownhill, who recommends being prepared to spend 10 to 15 percent over the expected budget for a non-gut remodel and more than 15 percent over for a gut remodel.
Know What the Pros Charge
For major renovations, both GCs and architects usually charge a percentage of the overall cost—not an hourly rate. Contractors typically charge 10 to 20 percent of the overall cost of the project. Architects bill 8 to 20 percent on top of the total project budget (including the contractor’s fee). Interior designers use a variety of fee structures, which are often a hybrid of a flat fee plus a markup on the items they source or an hourly fee plus a markup. For smaller jobs—say you need drawings for a permit or just want someone to pick out tile and a countertop material—an architect or interior designer might do the work for an hourly rate, with a cap on hours established at the outset.
Consider What You Can DIY
To save money, some people try doing their own demolition or painting. But you should always contract out plumbing, electrical, framing, and any work that requires
a permit.
Get Organized
That inventory spreadsheet should be set up before you go out to find a GC, says construction consultant Kate Smith, who notes that busy builders “take on people who are serious and have it together.” She suggests setting up a separate e-mail address just for your project and says to get everything, including all bids, in writing. Contractors are much more likely to call or text throughout the day as issues arise, but Smith says to follow up with e-mail too: Reiterate the change discussed, the timeline quoted, and any cost adjustments.
Hire the Right Crew
You will almost certainly need a licensed GC, and if you’re planning to move walls, an architect. (They will help you find tradespeople, like carpenters and electricians.) The best
way to source a reliable crew is by word of mouth. If you don’t have a network to tap, Mumford says to ask your home inspector and real estate broker for recs. “Ask to see
some of their past projects in person or to speak to their past clients—at least two,” Brownhill says. Whether you need an interior designer depends on you: “As a parent who works full-time, I realized it made more sense to hire someone than spend hours trying to pick a faucet,” property owner Christine Chitnis says.
Assess the Level of Disruption
Living in your house during construction is dirty, chaotic, and unpleasant—and it can slow down the work. If you have the means to rent a place or can stay with family, do it, Brownhill says. As for timing, interior work can happen any time of year, but homeowners say summer is ideal because of more lax schedules and the possibility of grilling and outdoor showers.
Decide If It's Worth It
If you’re on the fence about whether to refresh or relocate, choose based on your life rather than your finances alone. Most upgrades won’t ever recoup their full cost. The top two interior renovations that do pay back upon resale are refinishing hardwood floors, which returned 147 percent on the investment, and installing new wood floors, which provided a 118 percent return. Ultimately, though, the value of creating a home you love is incalculable. “I think people don’t realize how uncomfortable they are living in discomfort,” Brownhill says. “People’s lives can be much smoother and less stressful if their homes work better.”
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