How to Manage Home Improvement Without Letting it Get out of Hand

Renovations are an exciting time to give your home and your life a refresh. While the finished product can be marvelous, renovation projects can also easily get out of hand. If you want to enjoy the full scope of your remodel without having it drive you crazy, here are a few tips to help you manage.

Designate Your Priorities

With home improvement, there is an endless number of possibilities, upgrades and chances for you to change your mind. Before you begin your project, take time to designate what your priorities are. Whether you are upgrading your entire kitchen including a new counter and glass pantry doors, replacing old appliances or seeing major damage, you need to know the scope of your project. Once you have decided on your priorities, you can give yourself boundaries and expectations to keep it reasonable.

Stick to Your Budget

As you decide what parts of your home will be addressed in the remodel, make sure that you also set your budget. Don’t be distracted by the exciting options ahead of you, because renovations can also unearth costly issues. Things can pop up out of nowhere, but if you have a backup plan instead of putting all of your money to additions or exciting details you can be ready for this. Add a contingency budget of at least 10% which will give you a solid buffer for issues that may arise. When sticking to your budget, make sure that your choices align with your priorities, as it can be easy to veer off course out of excitement or flashy features.

Set a Plan and Stay Organized

As you decide what you will be included in your renovation project, it is important that you stay organized and set a plan. Whether you are developing a short-term plan for small updates or a comprehensive, expansive plan for a major remodel, you need to understand your timeline and the scope of the project. It is crucial that you stick to the plan and not allow yourself to waver when it comes time to make decisions. Flip-flopping back and forth between decisions or adding new things to the project can prolong your plan and create a nightmare of a project. By outlining the timeline with a contractor, you can better align this with your budget and needs.

Develop a Plan for Children and Pets

Even in the most ideal circumstances, renovation projects can cause major disturbances. This can be even more complex when you involve children and pets into the mix. The reality is that a remodel creates a live construction project within your home. While this can be exciting for some children, it can also be disruptive and scary. If you have children or pets, you need to develop a plan to keep them safe, healthy and to reduce their stress.

Avoid Stress, and When You Can’t Have a Plan

Remodels can leave you with the home of your dream; however, getting there is not always the smoothest or easiest route. While you may be prepared for the noise and disruption level in your home, it is also possible, you also need to develop a plan to prepare for increased stress levels. Being able to avoid stress during the remodel as much as possible, identify when you are feeling tension and having a way to manage stress will be essential during this process. Hopefully, there are limited amounts of stress, but when they do inevitably arise, having a plan to help you decompress will be important.

Remodeling your home is an exciting time to create the space you have always dreamed of. While the results are likely to be well worth it, you also need to understand how to best manage a renovation project. If you create a comprehensive and holistic plan, you are sure to navigate this process with reduced stress and be able to enjoy it from start to finish.