How to start the remodel process
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You’ve finally closed on your dream home, but there might be a few things you have in mind that would make your new home a little dreamier. A bathroom remodel might be just the thing to add your own special touch to your new home. Or maybe you’ve been in your home for years and love it but you’re itching for a change. Should you go with a whole home remodel or simply an interior design facelift? There are so many options when it comes to your home and for those of us who aren’t professionals this can seem like an overwhelming task. You may want to get in touch with a Los Angeles remodel firm to help you get started. Ask yourself some important question and create a plan for your home remodel. This will help set you on the right track, making the home remodel process a little less hectic.
- What is important to you?
First question you should ask yourself, what is important to me and my family? Love to cook? How about a kitchen remodel? Are you tired of your guests seeing that 70’s lime green tile in you bathroom? Maybe it’s time for a bathroom remodel. Thinking about what is most important to you and your family will help ensure that you are satisfied with your home remodel when it is finished.
- Budget?
Next big ticket item, budget! This will be your starting point so you’re going to want to figure out your budget early on. It will make the difference between a whole house remodel and something a little more cost friendly such as a few interior design changes. Where will the money be coming from? Will you be taking equity out of your home for your Los Angeles home remodel? Or do you plan on picking the project and pushing your home remodel out to a later date so that you can budget it into your finances? Whichever route you choose, getting your budget squared away from the start is a must! Having a budget in place will help you avoid any unwanted surprises midway through your project.
- Find a Contractor.
This might be the single most important factor for your home remodel, finding the right contractor. If you’re lucky, a friend or family member will be able to recommend a contractor that they’ve worked with in the past on a home remodel. If you don’t know anyone who has used a contractor recently for their Los Angeles remodel you can utilize search engines and social network sites such as Yelp and Home Advisor to check reviews for various contractors in the area. Always make sure to verify that the contractor you go with for your home remodel is licensed and bonded; you don’t want to end up with someone that could end up doing damage to your home under the disguise of a cheap price. The saying you get what you pay for definitely holds true when it comes to a home remodel.
- What is going to add the most value to your home?
Although you want to upgrade what is the most important to you, it’s also important to think about the future and what type of home remodel is going to add the most value to your home. Obviously some areas of the house will hold more weight when it comes to adding value to your home. A kitchen remodel can add tremendous value to your home especially if your current kitchen looks like it belongs in another decade. Other parts of a home remodel such as adding new energy efficient windows will increase the value of your home while decreasing your heating and cooling bills for many years to come. Updating your central air unit and other old household appliances to new energy efficient models can also help you save thousands on your utility bills.
- Research, research, research.
When it comes to your home remodel you can NEVER do enough research. Do you have a neighbor or family member who just completed a bathroom remodel? Make sure to pick their brain on what they did and remember to ask if there was anything they wish they would have known before starting the remodel process. Search engines are also a great tool to utilize while gathering research for your home remodel. There are countless forums available where people who are going through the process or have already completed their home remodel will post and answer questions. The more research you do the less likely you are to run into any surprises. However, things can happen! Be prepared to handle whatever comes your way by being proactive about doing your research.
At the end of the day remember to have fun with your home remodel. It doesn’t have to be a painstaking process and once the sound of hammers is gone and the dust has settled you can sit and relish in the results of everything you’ve been planned for. Enjoy!
Staff Writer - Jenica Cain