It’s normal to get overwhelmed when you find yourself the owner of a new home. The important thing is that you’re not letting your excitement get the best of you. This means you have to stay on top of the situation and make brave yet practical decisions for your new home – remodeling included.
In many cases, homeowners’ haste to do everything at once clouds their better judgment. Avoid this pitfall by staying focused on what you want to accomplish and what you need to do to get these things going in the right direction.
When it comes to remodeling your home, one of the most difficult questions to ask is this: where do I start? Which room should I focus on first? If the truth be told, there is no way to answer this question with a simple yes or no. These things call for a thorough evaluation of your property and what your priorities at the moment are. Here is a quick rundown of the things you could look into to help you decide:
Examine the current structure of your new home
Step back and inspect your home scrupulously. Are there repairs that need to be done? Check the roof and the foundation of your new home thoroughly. Inspect for water leaks and other major issues with your plumbing. See if your doors and windows need to be changed.
Work out a list and tick off the items one by one once they have been completed. This simple step is necessary before zeroing in on any room or part of a house. Once you’ve completed the list, that’s the time you may start considering which room goes first in your remodeling list.
Identify what your home lacks
Deciding on which room or part of your house needs to be remodeled first depends on a number of variables. One of the most important factors at play is the knowledge of what your home is missing.
What do you need to work on immediately to make your living space as comfortable and functional as possible? Do you need more closet space in the master’s bedroom? Do you need to convert one of the spare rooms into a nursery? Try to see what is missing and start from there.
Consider frequency of use
Another great tip to help you decide which room to remodel first is to consider how often you use the rooms in question. Compare the purpose, functionality, and frequency of use of your bedroom against the living room or the garage against the kitchen. By looking into these things and making an honest evaluation, you will find a better way of knowing which room to prioritize first – and why.
Remodeling basics
Once you have chosen which part of your home to renovate first, the next step is to start remodeling. Here are some tips to get you on track:
Set a budget
Remodeling your home can be costly. More so if you do not set a tight lid on how much you can actually spend on your home remodeling project. Early on in the project, determine your budget and set an allowance for how much you can extend that budget.
Keep this budget in mind when you decide on which parts of the room to remodel and how you’re going about the remodeling project. This helps ensure that you don’t break the bank at the expense of beautifying your new home.
Find the right materials
The materials you will use in remodeling your new home speaks volumes of how much money you will need to spend. As soon as you have set your budget, start researching on the ideal materials to use on your new home. You may ask friends who have previously remodeled their homes or a contractor if you have one. You may also want to consider how these raw materials would fare to your new home in relation to climate, foot traffic, and frequency of use.
Doing hands-on work on identifying the right materials for your remodeling project works well in helping you maximize your best options without going bankrupt. If you pass on all the work to a professional, you will have more time on your hands but this could also make your home remodeling project more expensive. Whereas if you consult a contractor but still do research and decide on the raw materials on your own you could save up on some expenses. This is also a great way to give your remodeling project a personal touch.
Talk to a contractor
Talking to a contractor – is it necessary? It actually depends on the extent of remodeling you want to be done on your new home. If you are planning on just making a minimal home improvement, you could scarp talking to a contractor. But if the work involves complex remodeling labor, you might need to consult a contractor and make sure you are on track with what you want your new home to achieve. Asking an experts’ opinion may seem unnecessary but if you lack experience in home remodeling, prior consultations just might save you from making a costly home remodeling mistake.
HVAC, plumbing, and more
You won’t just remodel your home for aesthetic purposes, you will also need to do work on making it a comfortable living space. To that end, do not forget your home’s HVAC, and electrical and plumbing works.
Take a look at what it currently has and what else you need to install to keep your home warm on cold nights and cool during the dry and humid season.
While your walls and ceilings are open for the remodeling works that are underway, that’s the best time to install an HVAC system or to upgrade it if that’s necessary. This also a good time to run new electrical and plumbing systems and install insulation in the walls and ceiling as needed.
Owning your own property is a big financial milestone. After all, a home is one of the most expensive things you will purchase in your lifetime. Make the most of this investment by looking at the bigger picture and making practical decisions that will serve you well for a long time.
