By Jack Shaw, senior writer and editor at Modded
Finally moving into a space you can renovate and call home can be such a monumental part of your life. Granted, it can feel more intimidating, even if you have experience with a dorm apartment rental that allowed renovations on a with-permission basis. In your home, you get to greenlight every single plan.
Instagram and Pinterest can be great sources of inspiration and offer a few makeover tips. However, some parts about the planning phase don’t get talked about enough.
The Basic Prep When Renovating
The early stages of planning can significantly influence how the rest of this phase will look. They also impact the overall renovation project and its outcome. Here are some basic guidelines to follow.
Set a Budget
Having an accurate budget is one of the hardest goals to achieve, but it’s a necessity before any renovation work begins. Remember to account for as many costs as possible, from materials to fixtures. You may also have to cover for cleaning and waste removal after.
Make sure that you have some breathing room in your budget. An additional 10% to 15% of your budget should act as a contingency fund. That way, if any setbacks or damages occur, you won’t have to take it out of your regular funds.
Have a Reasonable Timeline
It’d be great if you could snap your fingers to finish renovations. However, many projects involve long, time-consuming processes. Clear your schedule to have the bandwidth to stay active on the project. You should also create a set timeline.
Having a deadline can help you and your contractors stay accountable. Ensure the time you dedicate to it aligns with the complexity of your renovation goals.
Remember to Clear the Clutter
While the renovation will make things messy, you should still clean beforehand. Tidying up your place before the makeover can help you identify other spaces that could benefit from further change. You may also find valuables to keep safe before the project’s chaos begins.
Take this time to sort out any belongings that you want to give away as well. A new place is a chance to purge and give your items a second home.
Coordinate with Reliable Contractors
Going the DIY route is rewarding, but can be challenging, which is why many people hire tradespeople. Careful contractor selection is key, as inexperienced contractors may make the same mistakes as DIYers. Ensure you’re working with a reputable service provider.
Depending on the terms and conditions, it may be best to wait to test and inspect their work before providing payment. Raise any concerns that you have as early as possible.
Take Pictures Before
While taking “before” pictures is optional, it can be a key reference during the renovation period. Print copies and write down the details you want to change. Check those visuals and notes every once in a while to see the progress and confirm that you’re right on track.
You can also just show these “before” photos to friends and family visiting your place once it’s ready. A reference will help them truly understand how much better the place has gotten since the renovation.
Preventing Functional Failures
Designing the aesthetics of your home is an important step to beautifying your space and making it your own. However, you must ensure your choices are as functional as they are aesthetic. Here are ways to prevent those failures.
1. Check out the Socket Placement
Do you know how many sockets you have and where they are? Use their placement to plan how you want to position the furniture. Check whether you feel comfortable charging a device or placing a lamp. If they are too inaccessible or too few in number, add extras to your renovation blueprint.
2. Ensure Proper Clearance Room for Cabinetry
Adding more cabinetry is ideal for extra storage, but it’s all for nought if you can’t open it. Make sure there’s enough clearance for your chosen style. For example, wall cabinets should have a 1/16-inch clearance, give or take, for the top, bottom, left and right. Meanwhile, base cabinets need a 1/4-inch clearance at the top of the face.
3. Break Down and Keep Walls in Moderation
An open layout had its spot in the limelight because of how airy it makes a space feel. However, you may regret excessive noise or a lack of privacy if you break down too many walls. Assess which spaces are most used and decide whether it’s better to keep them enclosed. If you hired contractors, you can ask them for recommendations.
4. Spot Where Natural Light Comes Through
Look at where the windows and skylights are to see which spots get the most sunlight. You can infer which areas will require the least and most artificial lighting. It’s also a great reference for how you want to position your furniture. For many materials, less light exposure to natural light means less fading over time.
5. Be Wary of Impractical Materials
Just because certain materials are aesthetically pleasing doesn’t mean they’re a good match for the room. For example, hardwood floors in the lavatory can seem nice in theory. However, in reality, wood can warp or crack due to water damage. Consider using the material in another room and going for a more waterproof option in the bathroom.
6. Utilise the Correct Pipe Size
A new water fixture or heater isn’t glamorous, but it can still spruce up your home. However, you must think about the logistics that go into it. You have to get the correct pipe size for efficiency and leak protection. Calculating an effective pipe length and diameter depends on your flow rate and overall application.
Make Your First Renovation a Success
The journey to your complete renovation may be messy, but your work will reveal a more glamorous and functional space if you play your cards right. Have the right foundation by practising proper planning. Rest assured, you’ll have a place you’ll love to call home soon.
About the Author
Jack Shaw, the senior writer and editor at Modded, specializes in weaving together the threads of business and entrepreneurship with greater concerns about sustainability best practices and industry developments. With a commitment to providing actionable insights and empowering readers. Through his writing, Jack seeks to educate and inspire individuals on their journey toward more success-driven decisions. Feel free to connect with him via LinkedIn.