Over time, we’ve undertaken quite a few renovations to our 1920s home: The kitchen, master bath, laundry room, and walk-in closet have all had complete remodels.  But there’s always a bit of stress involved in planning a renovation, and it’s easy to get too close to a project and not see the potential mistakes.

This guest post offers a few suggestions on avoiding some of the pitfalls that can derail a renovation.

The following is a contributed post.  For more on my contributed posts, please see this page.

5 Tips for Renovating Your Home Smartly

Is it time to renovate your home?  Maybe you’re looking to make your property more comfortable for your family – or you’re planning to sell it soon. But, if not properly planned, renovations can actually wind up hurting your home’s value. 

Here are a few tips for keeping your renovation on the smart track.

1.  Tackle The Structural Flaws

If your home has any mechanical or structural issues, these should be fixed first. Whether you’re planning to stick around for a while or you are going to sell, correcting any structural issues should be included in your renovation plans.

Repairing structural issues may mean that you will need to move out of your home in the short-term. And you might need to remove your belongings from the property while it’s being worked on.

But it’s very easy to put items into storage, through companies like SMARTBOX Solutions, Inc.

Even small structural flaws, when left unchecked, can become massive problems further down the line. And, if you’re planning to sell anytime soon, dealing with structural flaws needs to be a priority now or they could become obstacles later when you’re in the process of selling the property.  

2.  Don’t Overbuild For The Neighborhood

You’ve probably heard this advice before, but it bears repeating since overbuilding still happens.  After all, we all want our homes to look amazing. But, if you live in a modest neighborhood, this can easily backfire.

If you have the biggest home, or the nicest one, it could actually prove to be a problem when you sell it. It’s important to make your home comfortable and attractive, just don’t go over the top. Stick to the general color scheme, styles, and features that are in line with the rest of your neighborhood.

3.  Think About What Your Family Needs

Practicality is a priority. When you think about what your home needs, look at what really bothers you about the property. Prioritizing your practical needs in your home will make it more comfortable for you and your family. 

Once the practical aspects have been dealt with, you can build your aesthetic around them.

Addressing the practical at the outset of your renovation is going to make a big difference to your quality of life. For example, if you make some green home improvements, like insulation, it will save you a lot of money in the long run.

4.  Assess Your Property From The Outside

Whether or not you are planning on selling, curb appeal is vital.  It gives visitors or potential buyers their first impression of your home. If you’re planning a renovation, you may be focused on what you will gain as far as your indoor living space.  But it always pays to consider what the renovation will look like from the street. 

Sometimes assessing your property from the outside can help you identify any urgent repairs needed within your home. For example, you may notice that your pipes or gutters are damaged or that a window is chipped or scratched. This may not look like more than an aesthetic issue, but in reality window damage can render the window more vulnerable to further damage, including breaking or shattering, especially if you are likely to experience a lot of bad weather in the coming months. Thankfully, there are various window replacement options to choose from – many of which can actually add value to your property or make your home more energy-efficient. Identifying these issues sooner rather than later can save you both time and money, and it ensures that the health and safety of your family is not put at risk.

5.  Consider Your Home’s Existing Architectural Style

One of the most sure-fire ways to turn a well-intentioned renovation into an unfortunate white elephant is to choose an aesthetic that doesn’t flow well with your home’s existing architectural style.  Unless you plan to completely change your home’s aesthetic, it’s usually wise to strike a healthy balance between your home’s existing style and what you want from the renovation you are planning.

Posts on this website are for entertainment only and are not tutorials.

 

 

Want to see more? Browse my photo gallery or check out these categories: