With everyone stuck at home, staring at their blank walls and daydreaming about all the things they can do to their house, home renovation projects have been on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to research, nearly 80% of homeowners considered starting house projects during the pandemic that would help them enjoy their homes more.
More than that, home values are on the rise too! All those dollars spent for renovations look like a good investment that would easily pay back when it’s time to sell your house.
Of course, home renovations (and contractors) are notorious for not going right. Between delays and unexpected costs, it’s easy for a project to get out of hand fast. If you want to join the 80% and make your house a more desirable place to be, here are five tips to help your home improvement project go smoothly.
1. Find a Good Local Contractor
The first step toward a smooth home project is to find a good local contractor who knows what they’re doing. The key words here are “good” and “local.”
Obviously, nobody wants to work with a bad contractor, but it’s not always easy to verify someone’s skills before you work with them. Ideally, spend some time doing research, looking over contractor websites, and reading online reviews. Check websites like Facebook, Google, and Yelp to see what other people say about their services.
Because doing research is sometimes difficult, it might seem easier to go with a bigger, nationwide or state-wide contractor. They typically have the best websites, more staff, and are easier to get in touch with, but it’s not worth it! A local contractor will have a better understanding of the market and how the project will affect your home’s value. They know the price of supplies in the area (especially now with the lumber shortage…), the local housing market, and other logistical elements that a larger contractor might not. It’ll help the process go much more smoothly.
2. Set the Plan, Budget, and Timeline Before Work Begins
All good projects start with a plan, and it needs to be more than “I want a cool new kitchen.” Work with your contractor to create a clear plan of attack for the project, down to the nitty-gritty details. The more details you include, the less wiggle room there is for error.
Within your project plan, be sure to include budget and timeline constraints. This will give you a better idea of what the project will cost in the end and how long it’ll be before you can use your house again—or at least the space being renovated.
3. Expect the Unexpected
As with anything in life, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Even with the most detailed, perfect plan setting out, something will always go wrong. Resources become unavailable, issues arise, and other problems might be discovered. That’s why it’s essential to include some budget and time contingencies.
Experts suggest that you add between 1% and 20% to the budget and timeline for every home project. The more the project is expected to cost, the higher your contingency should be. There are always going to be problems; you might as well be ready for them from the start.
4. Get an Itemized Contract
Who doesn’t like to know what they pay for? When starting a home renovation project, make sure you get an itemized contract up front. Ask the contractor to list out all elements of the project:
Detailed description of the job
Timelines
Building materials
Labor costs
Permits
The clearer the contract, the less confusion you’ll have once the project is complete. Plus, with all the costs laid out ahead of time, there won’t (shouldn’t) be any discrepancies afterward, and the contractor can’t pull anything shady like adding superficial costs.
As Better Homes & Gardens says on their website: “If you jump into a remodeling project with an ambiguous contract or no contract at all, you might as well hire an attorney and set a court date right away.”
5. Fix Serious Problems First, then Aesthetics
It’s always tempting to build that post-modern gourmet kitchen or expand your outdoor living space, but it’s always a good idea to fix underlying problems first—like worn out septic system, old water heater, or warped support beams. They might not be as glamorous, but they’ll help you home in the long run. Your kitchen might be gorgeous, but nobody wants to buy a beautiful kitchen if it comes on top of a cracked foundation.
Now that you know the tips for a smooth home project, you need a house to renovate! If you’re ready to find your Hawaiian dream home to turn into your own private slice of paradise, I’m always happy to help. Contact me if you’re ready to start living the island life.
Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii.