There are many reasons for remodeling your house: its poor state, your desire to make a dream home out of what you have, inability to work there remotely, even being bored during the quarantine. But “why” is never a question you’ll ask yourself. The question is: how? Remodeling is always fun – but it’s also very challenging.
The main thing about renovating a house is having a plan. You need to know the timeline, the budget, the main aims – what you want to achieve. The safest option would be to hire an expert who’d plan everything for you; unfortunately, it’s not possible for many people. Remodeling can be costly, and getting an interior designer is not the most wallet-friendly solution. Doing everything by yourself does seem cheaper – but is it?
If you know what to do – yes. However, it’s not that easy to find all the information you need to remodel the house by yourself properly. Don’t worry, though – we’re here to help. Take a look at this basic step-by-step guide to remodeling your home. Read on and get a sense of what’s involved!
Plan And Design
First things first, you need to decide what you want. Does it have to be a complete house remodeling or only an interior rearrangement? If your house is in a good state, and all you need is a spacing solution, perhaps, room dividers will do? They’re easy to install, easy to remove, and not so expensive as the wall demolition.
However, if you’re dreaming of something completely new, or your house needs some renovating, a broader solution is necessary. So what you’re going to do is make a plan. Here are some questions you need to answer:
What is your main goal? Add space to the house, make it appropriate for your children’s games and your remote work? Fix it so it looks and feels better? Or make it fit for Airbnb?
What do you want to change, and how? What do you want your house to look like? Create a sketch – you can use online 3D planners.
What’s your budget?
Which projects can you do yourself, and which projects do you want professionals to do?
Then, look for contractors and subcontractors, and apply for all the necessary permits. Congratulations, the first step is done!
Taking Care Of the Major Structural Issues
After the plan is ready, and you know what you’re up to, it’s high time to make sure the
house doesn’t have any major structural problems. Check the foundation, roof, siding, windows, and secure everything, so the house doesn’t collapse on you during the process. Make repairs with a home warranty contractoror other professional if damage may threaten future remodeling work. If not, leave it for later.
Demolition
And then, there’s the most fun but dangerous part. Make sure to follow all the safety precautions if you decide to do the demolition yourself but it’s risky and requires skills and knowledge. Don’t do anything randomly, and be very cautious when demolishing surfaces coated with lead-based paint.
Renting a large container for waste can be especially helpful, so you can get rid of the debris efficiently. This will allow you to minimize waste and finish the project as fast as possible.
Installation
Demolition needs much physical effort, but the next step requires expertise. You’ll have to take care of the structural carpentry (moving walls or constructing new ones, punching in new doors, or removing old ones), instilling all the vital services: heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical, plumbing; and laying insulation.
This is the step when hiring the contractors may be a wiser solution than doing everything by yourself. If you’re not a professional in any of those areas or don’t have the experience, the damage you may do will cost you much more than hiring an expert.
Interior Remodeling
Once everything is smooth, and you have the blank canvas in front of you, it’s time to decorate. You can paint the walls or hang wallpaper yourself, but hiring a pro would ensure that the job will be done flawlessly. Then, have the windows and doors installed, the flooring (hold it off until the end of the remodeling process to avoid any damage), and the cabinetry.
Clean the house and air vents, move in the furniture, decor, and appliances, and look around. Your dream home is ready.
When you are done with the interior design, the next step is to focus on the outside. It may be tempting to leave it as is and not include it in the budget altogether. However, a great exterior can just be as relaxing as a well-done living area. For example, your deck can serve as a place where your family can hang out on a good spring or summer day. Or even for chilling on cool nights!
You can create a cozy atmosphere with your outdoor area by adding modular decking and a durable deck railing system. There are cost-effective options that do not even require regular heavy maintenance. Thus, you can have an enjoyable outdoor space that does not break the bank or compromise quality.
Making Your Dream Come True
Planning your house remodeling is like planning your wedding or childbirth – never easy. But the moment comes when you can’t avoid it any longer and have to start this challenging project. However, don’t get desperate right away. It can be fun, especially if you know what to do.
Think of it as making a dream home out of your house. Plan what you want it to be and how you want it to look like, and try to realize the project as perfectly as possible according to your budget. If you don’t know how to do something, don’t hesitate to hire a contractor – they’ll ensure the task is done flawlessly. And in the end, when everything is done, it’s high time to enjoy your new space and feel proud – you’ve done a great job.
