After spending some years in your home, you might want to tweak a few things here and there. If you have never done any home improvement project before, the task may seem overwhelming but fret not. Being part of your home improvement project gives you a sense of fulfillment and achievement at the end of it all. It is, therefore, a good step to take, and besides, it also improves the value of your home and improves its curb appeal. That said, here are some tips for planning your first home improvement project;
- Set your priorities right
Home improvement projects can be expensive, particularly if you want to completely transform your home. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s important to prioritize correctly. You want to decide on the space you will remodel first before you move to the next room. As you prepare and save for the next step of the project, you may, for example, begin with the living room. If you have a lot of money, you might plan to work on all of the spaces at once.
- Come up with a budget
After deciding on the space you will be working on first, the next thing that you need to do is to come up with a budget. Take your time when coming up with your budget so as not to leave out anything. It is advisable to always set an amount aside for the unexpected costs which might arise during the project. Get some cost estimates from different suppliers and contractors, compare them, then decide on one that fits your budget.
- Decide on the time frame
How long do you want the project to take? A lot of factors will affect the timeline of the project, but it is advisable to have a time frame in mind. Setting a time limit often aids contractors in planning how they can complete the job within the allotted time. It’s also a good idea to collaborate with the contractors on the setting the timeline as sometimes you may end up setting an unrealistic timeframe. The contractors will be able to give you a clearer estimate of how long the project will take. Keep in mind that setting an unrealistic time frame means that the end result may be substandard due to rushing the project.
- Do some research
It is important to conduct research prior to embarking on any home improvement project. The internet and referrals from your friends can be particularly insightful in helping you decide on various factors. For instance, if you want to buy a few pieces of furniture such as a bamboo table, sofa, bookshelves, etc., you can search online to find shops that sell good quality stuff. So much so, research also helps you understand more about the market prices of various products and services that you may need during the project. This will, in turn, help you make more informed decisions.
