Home Renovation 101: Where to Start and How to Keep it Stress-Free

Renovating your entire home can be a nerve-racking and stressful endeavor. The whole process is time-consuming, tiring, and costly, depending on how big the project is. And, even though it is impossible to fully eliminate the stress, it can be significantly diminished if you plan the renovation properly. First and foremost, it is crucial you plan your budget and stick to it as much as possible. Then, you might want to identify the most urgent matters and things that need renovating as soon as possible. It might not be necessary to undergo a complete renovation just now, but if you do, it is vital you plan for it in advance rather than add unforeseen expenses and make a hole in your budget.

Over-renovating can happen quite quickly if you don’t have a well-established plan and a clear idea of what needs to be fixed, replaced, and renovated, plus what other extra things you wish to change, such as furniture. But, don’t worry. No matter how complex the entire process is, there are some practical tips that may be able to help you stay organized and plan the renovation in the most stress-free way possible.

To get you started, and before making any rushed decisions and going on a shopping spree, follow these practical tips:

1. Figure out finances and set the budget

The most crucial aspect in a renovation, no matter how big or small the project is, is to clearly define your finances and put on paper how much you can afford to invest in this renovation. Depending on various factors, such as how large the house is and how much there is to remodel, costs could include:

• New plumbing system;
• Improvements to the house’s structure;
• Roof changes or adjustments;
• Repurposing rooms – tearing down specific walls;
• New, better appliances;
• Repainting, changing floors, etc.

The list could go on, as it depends on whether the house has any structural issues and the fixes need to be more serious, or if you wish to change or repurpose the furniture, which will need reconditioning. The takeaway is that renovating a house includes many costly aspects: from complex and complicated fixes to figuring out small redecorating details. 

Every little part of the renovation will cost you money. Although you cannot foresee every expense – indeed, some might appear along the way – it is crucial that you are as prepared as possible and factor in the possibility of unexpected costs. This way, you won’t be taken by surprise.

2. Gather and store your belongings

Once you have set your budget based on your personal finances, you can get the ball rolling and start the renovation process. But, before you bring in constructors and a professional team to begin the project, it is necessary you gather your belongings. If the renovation takes place in the entire house, a good idea would be to store your things and keep them in storage until the renovation is complete – or at least until the mess has been cleared. 

This process of packing and storing your belongings can be an opportunity for decluttering. If you plan ahead and take the time to do this, you can sort through your stuff. This way, you won’t have to keep everything in storage or bring it back to your freshly renovated home. More often than not, people tend to keep certain things that they don’t use or are not emotionally charged whatsoever, as is the case with a decorative item passed on from generations. Decluttering can be a relaxing process of clearing your house of unnecessary things which you can donate or sell. 

3. Figure out living arrangements

The next step in this significant project you are embarking on is to figure out your living arrangements. If only a part of your home undergoes it, then you don’t have to worry as much. But, if you don’t have the option of living in your home while it is being renovated, it is of the utmost importance to think about where you will stay for the entire duration. Keep in mind; a complex renovation can take up to a few months. So, it is crucial you figure out your options beforehand. Whether you will be staying with your family, a friend, renting a small place, or even an Airbnb, you need to know for sure. This way, you will have time to gather your essentials. Plus, if you don’t have the alternative of staying with family or friends, your temporary living arrangements will also be an expense which you need to factor in. So, make sure you include it in your budget. 

4. Find temporary options while the renovation is ongoing

Usually, even when the house isn’t finished, you may be able to move back into it. However, in this situation, you will have to find some temporary solutions to facilitate your stay in a home that isn’t in its final form. 

For example, your bedroom and bathroom might be ready, and you could go back to living in your home – which diminishes your temporary living situation if you were paying rent. But you might not have hot water or heating yet, as it sometimes can take a while until they are functioning correctly. What you can do in this case is use boiler rental services that offer mobile boilers for a specific period. Such an alternative can benefit you, as you can move back home even if the rest of the house is not entirely done. So, you can have a comfortable stay while the rest of the details are still being sorted out and the project is not yet at the finish line.

5. Decide on redecoration beforehand

A noteworthy mention for any homeowner embarking on a renovating process is deciding on redecoration details with enough time before. This is beneficial because some materials and pieces of furniture may take a great deal of time until they arrive. More often than not, you will have to wait until everything comes, so you can have everything installed. 

So, you will want to avoid staying in a completely renovated house but still waiting for the furniture. For this reason, deciding on every tiny aspect that is related to redecorating will help you get everything on time. This way, you manage to reduce the entire renovating and redecorating process and will be able to see your home completed much sooner.

Kenneth

Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at bloggerjohnsmith12@gmail.com.