Renovation Don'ts: Before you start.



Renovating your home can be a very exiting experience, from the design stages right through to the finished product. This experience can also be very stressful. Fortunately there are things you as a homeowner can do to make it a great experience and not a bad one. 

Here are 5 don'ts to consider before you the renovation project starts. 


1. Floor plan You may need an architect, an interior designer and most likely a good contractor to help you come up with a good plan. Which ever you choose, don’t start your renovation without a detailed floor plan. There are a lot of elements to consider, so put them all on paper and you’ll catch problems before they occur. You may be able to build a functional space without a plan, but if you want a functional and beautiful space, hire an interior designer. 

2. Design.  Don't ignore the design aspect of a renovation project. Having an ultramodern kitchen in a Victorian style home may not work, but there is no reason why you can't pull it off. There are no hard and fast rules, just get to know your house. Do your research before you pull out the sledgehammer. I would advice to consult an interior designer before starting. 

3. Backup funds  If you find out that the work you wanted to do is going to costs more than you expected or budgeted for, you are not on your own. It’s almost unheard of that a person sets a realistic budget for a project. If you make every decision ahead of time, you can probably get away with a 10 percent contingency if you get a good general contractor. But don’t eat into your contingency to stretch the budget. 

4. Don't put lipstick on a pig  A contractor will rarely come right out and say this, but some houses should be knocked down rather than spending money to fix them up. Though this is a rare situation, it is very common for people to spend money on expensive furnishings for their house with a sagging foundation. Listen to the professionals and be open to their suggestions. Don't spend money unwisely. 

5. Buying your own materials This seems like the obvious thing to do to save money. Contractors are going to mark up the cost of materials and then pass that added cost on to you. This mostly true, but the contractor will most probably get a better price than you to begin with, so this means that even after markup, you'll pay the same price. Don't just go out and buy materials, consult your contractor first. These tips will help you to have a more pleasant experience before you start your you renovation project. By consulting an interior designer and your general contractor at the start, you will go a long way to achieve this great experience you should have.

Are you considering doing a renovation and need an Interior Design consultant?


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