Hello World! Welcome Friends! It’s a new year, the rough and tumble of the Holidays are behind us and we hope that you’ve all had the best possible time, reconnecting with family and friends. With the start of every new year, we all have the opportunity to redesign our lives, both figuratively as well as literally, and for many of us, home remodeling makes it to the top of the resolution list every year.
So in the spirit of harnessing all of that wonderful new year magic and energy, we thought we’d look at a few of the essentials to keep in mind when you’re thinking about remodeling. After all, change is as good as a holiday and we’d like to keep that holiday vibe in our homes, all year long.
Now, remember, nothing beats the advice of a professional. So before you go running out and spending a fortune on, well, everything – have a chat with someone in the know to ensure that you’re not going to end up with a lifetime supply of grouting.
Let’s Start with Some Planning
Ag, planning?! Is there anything more boring than this? Well, it doesn’t have to be boring, in fact, if you’re incorporating your kids and partner into the planning process it could turn out to be quite fun, and with a diversity of ideas doing the rounds, you may find yourself inspired in ways you didn’t even think of.
So start with a plan. A good plan will help you understand, visualize and realize the size of the task ahead of you. Are you wanting to do a room or two, or are you going the whole nine yards? Your plan will include a schedule and a financial plan, so you know what you’re spending when you’re spending, what you can afford to spend right away, and what you may need to keep on the boiler a little longer.
Then, Think Local
When envisioning your exterior and interior remodeling vision board, consider your native area. What colors and textures are unique to your community, city, town, or state? Is there specific artwork that makes sense in your location, or is your town part of an artist cooperative that you’d like to support?
We miss out on so many wonderful ideas when we don’t open our hearts and minds to what may well be on our doorsteps. Discuss these with your contractors or decorators if you’re going that route.
Safety First
While you’re planning your remodeling, it’s a good time to get your contractor to conduct a thorough safety assessment of your home too. What walls can be safely brought down, which of the walls are load-bearing? Do you know what ground your home is built on? Are there special considerations when it comes to electrical wiring or plumbing? All of these questions can be answered by your contractor and it’s way more beneficial to answer them before you break down the first wall.
Quality Materials
If you’re planning on a remodeling project that’s a little more sophisticated than simple, start by sourcing the best possible materials that you can afford. Not all paints are equal, just like all bricks are not made equally too – in many respects, you’re going to get what you paid for. If you’re really getting stuck in and you’ll be needing concrete, you certainly want to make sure that you’re getting the Creme De La Creme of Concrete, because this is not an area you want to have to redo.
Don’t Do it Yourself (Unless you Really Can)
All those hours watching HGTV are probably not going to count as much as you think they are, and unless you know that you’re a professional in your own right, this is not the area you want to save money in. But, with that being said it might be the perfect opportunity for you to learn a few new skills. Speak to your contractor and ask them if you can hang about every once in a while to learn a few skills. Provided what you want to learn doesn’t have too big of a safety risk and you don’t have them on a crazy schedule, they’ll probably agree.
Your part of the bargain is to not be the-pain-in-the-you-know-what.
And Finally…
Stay true to your home. There is no value in trying to make your home look like a Tuscan villa if you have a property in Alaska. After all, part of creating a harmonious and calm atmosphere in your home, takes having it blend as effortlessly as possible with your natural environment. That’s not to say you can’t add your unique touches to your home of course, but take care to be mindful of the spirit of your home.
Most importantly, have fun, and good luck!
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
Living Sustainably in an Apartment
Preparing For a Home Celebration
Make Life Easier During Your Home Renovations
Marketing Strategies for a Plumbing Business
I’d love for you to join my email list! You’ll receive a notification straight to your inbox which will include links to my latest home project posts! Simply enter your address below.
Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
[…] Home Remodeling Essentials […]