Remodeling isn't as easy as it seems on HGTV . . .
. . . But preparation and proper design can make it a whole lot easier!
Hi there!
Thanks for taking the time to scroll thru our website and check in with us here! We love remodeling and thought we would use this space to share our tips and stories with anyone considering going through the process of remodeling their home.
Since interior residential remodeling is a complex topic with lots important things to mention, we are going to take it one step at a time. So check back for future content!
“Should We Remodel?”
To start, lets consider the first question anyone considering remodeling should analyze.
Remodeling a home is all about what rooms to focus on, timing and budget. There are two major considerations to keep in mind when answering this question for yourself:
Your personal wants: Is this your forever home that you want to turn into your dream home?
Your investment goals: Is this an investment property that you are trying to see a return on?
If you answered yes to either of these, or a combination of both, you are most likely considering remodeling at some point. But how you answered them tells you what your budget goals should be. If it is a forever home, the rules around how, when or why you should remodel are less relevant. You can spend more on your wants and have less concern for how the remodel projects will impact your property investment. Though this may be true, it is still always recommended to consider your investment when remodeling your property. Even if you plan on staying in your home forever, sometimes plans can change and you don’t want to have hurt your best investment opportunity by accident. So here are some things to consider when choosing how to remodel your home/your biggest investment:
Consider your home value as it compares to your neighbors. Have they improved their home more than yours? You don’t want to overdue it on remodeling your home to the point where it no longer makes sense for your area. If you are the most remodeled house in your area, you most likely won’t see a return on your investment.
Which rooms are you considering first? Kitchens and Bathrooms should be a priority when considering remodeling any home. Updated plumbing fixtures, tile, appliances, cabinets, countertops, flooring, paint & light fixtures are all important investments to put on the top of your list when considering these rooms. Beyond just the beauty of surface upgrades, it is essential these rooms have functional layouts, quality fixtures and efficient storage. If you have an older home, don’t forget about your hot water heater, furnace & electrical panel when saving for major remodel projects. Especially for large scale projects, anything within the project scope that is out of date must be upgraded to meet current codes for building permits.
What types of projects are best to consider a priority? Flooring & Paint have the biggest impact on the overall aesthetic & the odor of your home (as long as you don’t have other issues going on like a leak, etc.). If you have an older home consider having it tested & treating the walls and flooring with TSP, Bleach and Killz Primer Sealer to eliminate odors. CPS recommends luxury vinyl plank floor that is waterproof as the main flooring choice for the home because it can be used in any room in the home, even in moisture environments like entryways, bathrooms, laundry rooms & kitchens. Painting is the easiest and most cost effective improvement to a home but should only be done once all drywall and texture is repaired properly & overall color scheme is thought about for the home as a whole. Color selection can be tough but it is important to prepare an overall color scheme before starting any painting projects so the home can be well-coordinated.
How do we plan a large, multi-room remodel project? Its best to take it one room at a time. In order to avoid complete chaos, it is good to have a general plan for the entire home from the start but to take it room by room and complete each as you go. This is especially important for occupied homes. This process also allows you to monitor quality control and adjust your design with each room, learning what looks best after seeing a complete room in person.
BUDGET??? The bottom line is always budget. This is the toughest question for homeowners because cost can have a very wide range. For example remodeling cost $ per sq. ft. is anywhere from $70—$150+. That is hard for homeowners to gauge, especially if they are remodeling for the first time. If your home has equity and your area’s market is solid and growing, it may be good to reinvest in your property if you have the means and good credit history. If you are considering selling your home in the near future it is important to get it ready for to go on the market. However, we have heard from many clients going through the selling process that it would have been best to update their home while they were still going to be living in it. We have seen countless homeowners show remorse over remodeling right before selling because they wished they could enjoy their home and investment.
Saving and paying cash will always give you the best return on your investment. The best part about living in your home and saving for a few years is that it allows you to know what makes the most sense for your home. You will be able to determine what corks you love and which ones are impossible to live with. Everyone has a different way of coming up with their budget but it is always best to take projects one step at a time if you want to stay on top of your budget. At CPS, we create itemized estimates for our clients based on their long term goals. That way we can help them determine the best plan based on their budget and timeline. They can choose which projects to do first and can even do each individually whenever their finances allow. We work with many of our clients over time to rejuvenate their property step by step; that way they can enjoy it while they live there without feeling overwhelmed.
If you are considering remodeling and want to learn more about the process and overall costs related to your dream home, contact us and we can schedule a free in-home estimate. Check back again soon for more tips & stories from CPS Design!