4 Things to Know BEFORE Starting a Renovation

Are you thinking about diving into the world of a home renovation? Does plunging into a home remodel scare you? Renovations can be both exciting and frustrating. We’ve got quite a few renovations going on right now in the Western Massachusetts area. They’re a lot to take on, and they can become very overwhelming if you’re not prepared. I’ve got four things for you to think about BEFORE you start your renovation in order to make the remodeling process easier.

1. Do not be in a hurry
Don’t be in a hurry. You need to take your time and really think about what you want and why you are doing the remodel. Take your time and find the best product. Take your time and find the best contractors. It’s not just about diving right in. And you should have to be thinking about how the room functions. How do you use the space? Does it function well with the layout you have now, or does it need to be changed? So, don’t be in a hurry. Especially if you’re doing a kitchen renovation! There is a TON to think about when it comes to a kitchen makeover. How do you cook in the space? How much counter space do you need? What type of organization and storage do you need in your kitchen cabinets? Make sure you take your time and really think about exactly what you want at the end of the remodel. Make sure you find the best products that you can afford and find the best contractors that you can afford.

2. Come up with a PLAN
Come up with a comprehensive design plan that includes the layout and the function of the space. You want to come up with a floor plan. Whether you are doing a kitchen remodel, a living room refresh or a living room renovation, you need a floor plan. You cannot come up with the cabinet design if you don’t know the size of your appliances, and you can’t come up with a furniture layout for a living room if you don’t know the size of the space. You don’t know what size sofa to get if you don’t know the size of the wall that it’s going on, right? Start at the very beginning and create a floor plan. Don’t buy furniture until you have one! And your contractor cannot start until you have a comprehensive plan. If you or your contractor starts demo prior to having a comprehensive plan, there WILL be hiccups and there WILL be delays and slow downs and total frustration! I’m telling you, take the time at the beginning prior to starting and come up with a comprehensive plan. When I say comprehensive, I mean every single thing, the size of the room, the floor plan, the flooring, the paint colors, the furniture and cabinetry, EVERYTHING. Have it all planned and chosen prior to starting. It will make your life so much easier!

3. Embrace the mess
It is going to be a mess. Renovations are. Whether you are renovating a bedroom, living room, kitchen or bathroom, it’s going to be messy. So why not embrace it? Just go with it. There’s no way around it. But, I will say, that we only work with contractors that clean up after themselves. That’s a great tip right there. Know that it’s going to be a mess for a little while. My advice is to just keep thinking to yourself what it’s going to look like when it’s done. It’s frustrating in the middle of a renovation. It is difficult. So, just keep picturing the finish line.

4. Know that something will go wrong.
This is one that people seem to forget. Something might go wrong anytime that you are doing your renovation. There will be something in a wall that you didn’t know about. Something is discontinued. Or, the fabric for your sofa is on backorder, especially right now! I know nobody wants to hear that it’s all because of covid-19 right now, but, things are delayed and taking longer right now. They just are. Products are taking two to three times as long to get. Even if you buy American, which I recommend that you do, but even if you buy American-made there are things that they use like screws and bolts, fabrics that come from overseas, and they’re delayed. A few months ago there were plants that were shut down for months, and now when they open back up, they’re working with a much smaller workforce, so things that they’re making are taking longer. It’s not an excuse. It just is the way it is right now. Things are taking longer as it is, and with a renovation, things always take longer than you plan.

So remember, don’t be in a hurry! Come up with a comprehensive plan first. Embrace and plan for the mess. Know that something will go wrong. Just go with it. Picture the finish line! It will eventually be what you pictured.

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