Planning a Home Remodel and How to Start

Your home remodeling or renovation process may require proper planning before breaking ground. For a seamless and successful renovation, you should clearly understand your remodeling goals and prepare for the renovation. You can then proceed to cost estimates, choice, and quality of materials and find the best contractor to handle your project.

Build a Home Improvement Project Plan

The first step in a remodeling project is to develop a plan that clearly states the goal for your renovation and includes design inspiration and an outline of the work that needs to be completed.

Your project plan should also include:

• Blueprints or sketches of your finished project.
• A list of needs and wants for your project.
• Project steps are divided into DIY steps (if you have the experience to DIY) and steps that will require a professional.

At this point in planning a home renovation, look at local zoning regulations and permits. Make sure your neighborhood is zoned for your remodel (some renovations like garage conversions are not allowed everywhere) and find out if you’ll need a permit. If you are completing a project that will change the structure of your home or the use of a room, you will most likely need a permit. Wait to apply for permits until you’ve hired a team and built a project timeline. An experienced contractor will be able to help you with all of this!

When to Start: 6 to 12 months before you’d like to start your project.

Set a Project Budget, with Wiggle Room

The next step when planning a home renovation is to determine your budget and financing. Your budget should include the costs for permits and building materials, labor costs and the cost of decorations or cosmetic touches.

To build your budget:

• Decide how much you want to spend and finalize financing. Set aside at least 10% of your budget for unexpected costs.
• Request cost estimates from professionals.
• Price out all required materials.

If your cost estimates do not fit in your budget, use your home improvement project plan from step one to eliminate project elements that are a lower priority. Request cost estimates from multiple contractors to find the best option for your budget.

When to Start: 3 to 6 months before starting your project

Hire Professional Contractors

Next in your home project planning, you’ll need to hire your team. Don’t choose your contractors on cost estimates alone. When interviewing and selecting your contractors, also consider:

• Years of experience: A contractor who’s been doing business for a long time makes them a safer bet than one who is new to the business.
• Contracting license: Make sure your contractor has gone through all the steps needed to obtain any required certifications specific to their line of work.
• Certificate of insurance: Contractors should have workers’ compensation and liability insurance for the type of work they perform.
• References: Request and call references. This is a great way to make sure your contractor isn’t just good on paper.
• Payment schedule: A reputable contractor won’t ask you to pay the full price upfront, and the Better Business Bureau advises not to. However, it’s important to discuss payment terms before construction begins. In some cases, it’s better to spend a little extra to get someone you’re comfortable working with.

When to start: 2 to 3 months before your start date

Build a Realistic Timeline

Once you have your budget and team in place for your home remodeling project, it’s time to put together your timeline. First, choose a desired start date, or if you’re hoping to have it completed by a specific date, work backward from that date instead. Sit down with your contractor to determine the length of time each portion of the project will take. Discuss which steps of the remodel need to be completed first, how long they will take, and which project portions can be completed concurrently.

Additionally, be sure your timeline:

• Includes time to clean out the project area.
• Allows for the shipping and delivery of materials.
• Accounts for any holidays your contractors may take off.

Use a calendar to mark out each step of the project. Set a completion date that includes a few days’ worth of wiggle room for unexpected issues. Confirm with your contractors or team members that the timeline is realistic and keeps you within budget.

When to start: 2 to 3 months before your start date

When planning your home renovation, don’t be afraid to quiz your contractor about every step of the process. Find out their professional opinion about your:

• Budget
• Schedule
• Other contractors
• Materials

That being said, stick to your preferred plans as much as possible. Don’t let a contractor force a more expensive product or service on you unless there’s a good reason for it. Just use their expertise to validate your choices and prevent serious mistakes.

When you start planning your next home renovation or remodel, contact La Pera’s General Contracting! La Pera’s General Contracting in Panama City and Tampa, Florida has a team of professional and licensed contractors experienced in every area of construction, from remodeling to new construction! We are equipped to help you make the right decision for your home and for your budget. We strive to give our clients options, as well as sound advice based on solutions that work. If you have questions about your construction project, call La Pera’s General Contracting today! We will provide you with a detailed inspection and estimate by a professional contractor.