Structural issues, safety concerns, outdated design, poor functionality, energy inefficiency, growing family, preparing your house for sale, adding modern amenities, personalization, or whatever the reason behind this decision, the entire home remodel requires lots of preparation, careful planning, and a clear vision. When the plan is executed seamlessly, you get a beautifully transformed space offering comfort, functionality, and aesthetic appeal perfectly aligned with your needs and lifestyle.

The project requires commitment from both sides. You, the homeowner, must make timely decisions, communicate clearly, and have realistic expectations (budget, timeline, and results). The home remodel contractor is expected to bring expertise, experience, clear communication, and transparency.

To help you navigate the project's complexities, here are our house remodeling tips, from preparing the space and hiring the right contractor for house remodeling services to post-renovation cleaning.

Preparing for Home Remodeling

1. Assess Your Needs

Identify Priorities

Organize your needs or priorities in three distinct lists: urgent issues, must-haves, and nice-to-haves. The ‘urgent issues’ list includes items that require immediate attention before making any cosmetic changes, such as faulty wiring, leakage, or any other issue impacting safety, functionality, or livability.

The ‘must-haves’ list includes all the necessary updates to meet your immediate needs, such as more counter space for efficient meal preparation.

The ‘nice-to-haves’ list includes improvements to the space's visual appeal and enjoyment. For example, a high-end countertop may not be an absolute necessity but still it is good to have one.

Consider Functionality

What changes are required in the existing layout and features to make your space more functional? For example, if you find joy in cooking, your kitchen needs a functional layout to fuel your passion. This layout makes accessing counter space, storage, and appliances easy. A kitchen island or open floor plan will improve the workflow.

Think about your long-term needs. Your little princess will grow into a teenager, and her needs will change. Aim for a flexible layout that can easily adapt to accommodate her evolving privacy, space, and independence needs.

Get Expert Opinion

Reach out to a company offering house remodeling services to ensure the feasibility of your idea. For example, only an expert can tell if knocking down a wall to create more space will not cause structural implications. Seek multiple opinions.

2. Set a Budget

Estimate Cost

Research the material, labor, and other potential additional costs thoroughly. Get detailed quotes from multiple suppliers and contractors. Break down the entire home remodel project into specific tasks for better cost estimation. Make sure that the estimate includes permit costs.

Maintain a Contingency Fund

Don’t expect everything to go according to plan. You may discover a hidden structural problem. So, maintain 10-20% of your budget as a contingency fund.

Allocate Funds

Once you have broken down the project into small tasks, identify the most critical aspects of the project and allocate funds accordingly. For example, structural, electrical, and plumbing systems should receive a larger portion of the budget, while cosmetic updates like paint and decoration should be allocated less. Identify non-essential updates that you can delay so that you don’t overspend. This will keep your project within your budget.

3. Create a Vision

Get Inspiration

Explore magazines, websites like Pinterest, and design blogs for house remodeling tips and inspiration. For example, start collecting images of minimalistic kitchens if you desire modern design. Additionally, visit local showrooms to experience materials and finishes in person and assess how they will look and feel in your space. Take tiles as an example. You can evaluate texture, color, and size to ensure they complement your vision. If you still want more inspiration, consult with professionals.

Choose Your Style

Choose a style that reflects your personal taste and addresses your functional needs. The style should enhance the existing architecture. There are plenty of style choices, including modern minimalist, Scandinavian, industrial, farmhouse, Bohemian, transitional, coastal/beachy, mid-century modern, Japandi, or Maximalism. You can also utilize a combination of these styles.

Consider Long-Term Needs

The space should evolve to address your future needs. For example, you may use the nursery as a guest room in the future. Keep the following long-term needs in mind:

Family growth
Future accessibility
Energy efficiency
Durability
Flexible layout
Storage solution
Integration of future tech upgrades

4. Prepare for Disruption

Clean the Space

A clean and organized space creates a safe and efficient environment.

Declutter the space.
Deep clean walls, floors, windows, and other surfaces.
Create designated storage zones for personal belongings, tools, and materials.
Cover furniture, wall art, and fixtures with plastic sheeting or other protective material.
Leave no obstruction in hallways and entrances.
Clean and secure HVAC vents.

Create Temporary Living Arrangements

It should be a comfortable and well-organized space where you can stay and keep your essentials easily accessible, as a complete home remodel is bound to disrupt your daily routine.

Identify and designate substitutes for essential spaces. For example, you can use the guest bathroom. Identify a space where you can set up a makeshift kitchen.
Relocate cooking essentials, clothes, toiletries, and other necessities to an easily accessible space.
Isolate the construction zones with plastic sheeting to reduce dust and noise.
Create a safe space for your kids and pets to keep debris and tools out of their reach.

Manage Noise and Dust

Take the following steps to minimize noise and dust:

Seal off the construction area.
Improve ventilation.
Schedule work hours.
Cover furniture, flooring, and other surfaces to prevent dust accumulation.
Perform daily clean-ups.

The Remodeling Process

1. Hire the Right Contractor

Hire a skilled and experienced contractor who can meet your expectations on time and within budget. Take the following key steps:

Check online reviews and get recommendations.
Interview multiple contractors.
Check references.
Get precise, detailed estimates from each contractor.
Make sure that the contractor is licensed, insured, and bonded.

2. Obtain Permits

You don’t want to violate local building codes and regulations, as this can attract costly fines and delays. Sometimes, people have to undo all the work. Let the contractor take care of the permit process. A reputable contractor knows everything about the local laws and regulations and submits all the required applications. Consider the time required to get all the permits while understanding the project timeline.

3. Timeline and Milestones

Set a Realistic Timeline

Before setting any timeline or milestones, consider the contractor's availability, material delivery, permits, and other factors. Add some extra time to manage unexpected issues.

Break the Project into Phases

Break down the project into clear phases to keep the project on schedule. Now, you can allocate resources, stay focused, and track the progress of each phase. These phases include:

Demolition and preparation
Structural and framing work
Plumbing and electrical
Drywall and insulation
Finishing touches

Tracking each phase makes it easier to track the entire project.

Buffer Time for Delays

Delays are inevitable in all kinds of projects. It is wise to have buffer time in your timeline to cover the following:

Permit delays
Supply delays
Weather interruptions
Work availability
Inspection delays
Unforeseen issues

Create a Completion Checklist

A checklist ensures that every project detail is completed and nothing is overlooked. When you have a checklist, you can ensure the project is completed satisfactorily. The checklist helps with:

Final inspection
Functionality check
Clean-up
Paint and finishing touches
Fixture and hardware
Flooring and tiling
Furniture and decor
Safety checks
Final walkthrough with the contractor

4. Clear Communication

Set Expectations Up Front

Having clear, upfront expectations keeps you and the contractor on the same page. This prevents misunderstandings and unexpected issues.

Specify what is included in the project and what is not.
Identify milestones and establish a timeline.
Set an overall budget and allocate funds for each task.
Discuss if you have any special requirements, such as a specific feature or custom finish.
Agree on the payment structure.

Establish a Point of Contact

Establishing a point of contact streamlines communication and ensures quick, efficient decision-making throughout the project.

Choose a primary contact.
Have clear contact information.
Maintain consistent communication.

Check In Regularly

This helps you track the progress as planned and address potential issues.

Schedule regular meetings
Request status updates
Inspect work quality
Regularly review budget and timeline
Make sure you are available for quick decisions

Document Everything

Documentation does not just maintain a record of tasks and progress. It can also provide legal protection. Consider the following for effective documentation:

Document all the agreements
Track all changes or updates
Maintain communication logs
Keep records of payments and invoices
Take photos of the progress

Post-Renovation Cleaning

1. Clear Dirt and Debris

Remove Large Debris First

This is essential for safe, smooth, and effective post-renovation clean-up.

Identify nails, broken glass, sharp edges, and other hazardous materials. Wear gloves and safety glasses.
Divide the space into sections and collect large debris in each section.
Sort material for disposal or recycling, as you must adhere to local waste management rules.
Dispose of debris properly.
Clear pathways after removing large debris.

Sweep or Vacuum Floors

Renovation causes quick dust and smaller particles accumulation, which requires thorough vacuuming of the space. Use a wet mop to remove the remaining fine dust.

Clean Windows and Doors

Like floor and walls, doors and windows accumulate dust and grime. Restoring the clarity of windows requires thorough cleaning. Use a microfiber towel or lint-free cloth. Mix warm water and mild dish soap or equal parts of vinegar and water to remove stubborn grime. Use a damp cloth to wipe down frames. In the end, dry thoroughly to prevent water spots.

2. Deep Cleaning

Dust All Surfaces

Start by dusting ceiling fans, light fixtures, shelves, and other high surfaces. Next, clean baseboards, furniture, and counters.

Clean Air Vents and Ducts

Turn off the HVAC system and remove the vent covers. Use a hose attachment to vacuum ducts. Inspect air filters to ensure system efficiency and good air quality. You may need to replace clogged filters.

Sanitize Bathrooms and Kitchens

Accumulation during renovation, especially in corners and hidden areas, can attract mold and bacteria. Paint and adhesives contain harmful chemicals such as volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, and more. So, clean and disinfect your kitchen and bathroom.

3. Inspect the Remodel

Check for Any Issues

Thoroughly inspect the space for structural integrity (load-bearing, signs of settling or cracks), aesthetic defects (uneven paint finishes, scratches, dents, or inconsistencies in flooring, tiling, and countertops), and cosmetic touch-ups (incomplete paint or finishing)

Test Functionality

Ensure that outlets, switches, light fixtures, and appliances work properly. Similarly, test plumbing, HVAC systems, and even doors and windows for smooth operation and proper sealing.

Address Any Deficiencies

If the testing reveals any minor or major defects, such as small cracks in a wall, electrical malfunction, or an appliance not functioning properly, get them fixed and ensure that the project is completed to the highest standards.

Final Touches and Personalization

Now, it’s time to make the space truly yours by adding elements reflecting your personal taste and style. Incorporate curtains, cushions, throws, and rugs to create warmth and comfort. Soft furnishings with smartly chosen colors and textures create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. From hanging greenery to large potted plants, you have many options to introduce a refreshing and vibrant feel to your space.

The smart arrangement of furniture and other items facilitates maximum flow and usability. In the end, walk through the renovated space to look for any imperfections and get them fixed. Hope that these house remodeling tips will help you create a dream, functional, comfortable space. Want to know more? Here at Kellow Construction, we would love to hear from you.

Home Remodeling Tips for a Successful Home Transformation