Perhaps you’re gearing up for a home improvement project. You know what you want to do, and you’ve already started making your plans. There are, however, some details that you shouldn’t overlook as you prepare for and get started on your project. Consider some of the following.
Your Budget
First, you will need to consider the rather large detail of your budget. Before you start any home improvement project, make sure you can afford it. Go over your current household budget, and see how you’re doing. Make note of your income and expenses, current debt and amount in savings. This will help you determine exactly how much you can afford to spend on home improvement.
As you draw up the budget for the project itself, don’t forget the smaller expenses that can creep in. You might need a temporary dumpster rental Bethlehem, for instance, so that you have a place to put all the debris from your remodel. You should also leave wiggle room in your budget for cost overruns. Sometimes prices of materials and labor go up unexpectedly, so give yourself a little extra to cover.
Your Scope
Your budget will help determine the scope of your home improvement project. Don’t go beyond what you can truly afford. If, for example, you have your heart set on a kitchen remodel but you can’t find enough funds to pay for the whole project, then start with one area. Refinish the cupboards, perhaps, or install new flooring or light fixtures. Then over time, you can continue with other parts of the project, switching out your appliances or installing new countertops.
Your Skills
As you plan your home improvement projects, you should also think about your skill level. If you’re a do-it-yourself guru with all kinds of experience in construction, you can probably do much of the work for your project on your own. But if you aren’t (and if you hardly know which end of a hammer to use), turn to the professionals for help. Doing too much on your own (especially tasks that are beyond your ability) could end in disaster. So budget accordingly, and bring in people who can guide you as you plan your project and then do the work right.
Your Family Life
Your family life will also affect your home improvement project plans. You should gear your project choices to your family’s current situation. If you have young children, for example, a whole house remodel might simply not work well. But you could work on finishing your basement to create a family room and play space. Perhaps you have older kids or teens. In that case, small home improvement projects will give them a chance to plan and work with you so that they understand exactly what goes into maintaining and improving your home.
Your Schedule
Finally, don’t neglect your schedule as you consider a home improvement project. This detail is far from small. If you’re a busy person, you might not be able to fit in a major project at this point. Again, start with small projects that you can do over a weekend. This might be something like painting a room or putting up crown molding. You might install a ceiling fan or varnish your deck. There are lots of possibilities that won’t stretch your calendar to the limit but can still improve the look of your home.
If you must complete a larger home improvement project, you may have to adjust your schedule to fit it in. You can hire a contractor to manage a large project or a handyman to work on smaller improvements. This will save you time and still get the job done.
There are plenty of details to think about when you’re getting started on a home improvement project. Make sure that you budget well, choose a project of the right scope, consider your skills and family situation and fit the project into your schedule. Things might feel a little crazy for a while, but you’ll have a great space to call home when it’s all finished.
