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How to Prepare Your Home for a Remodel

Looking for a guide on how to prepare your home for a remodel and give your home a facelift? You’ve come to the right place!

Remodeling can be a great way to update the look and feel of any space, but it doesn’t come without its challenges – if not planned correctly, this project could quickly become overwhelming. 

Don’t let that scare you away! 

With our helpful tips, you’ll soon have your home prepped and ready for a remodel with minimal stress. We’ll walk you through everything from setting up a budget to finding contractors who will do an amazing job transforming your space into something new. So what are you waiting for?

how to prepare your home for a remodel 1An Introduction to the Remodeling Process

It’s important to be well-prepared before embarking on your journey how to prepare your home for a remodel.

Knowing what to expect during the process will help you feel more comfortable and confident in your decisions. 

Start by researching online or talking with industry professionals so you can understand all of the steps involved in home remodeling. 

This includes obtaining permits from local authorities, hiring contractors and subcontractors, purchasing materials, and more. 

Additionally, it’s helpful to set expectations for yourself about how long the project may take, as well as an estimated budget for any associated costs. Doing this preliminary work upfront can save time and money throughout the duration of the project.

How to Prepare Your Home for a Remodel – Creating a Plan

Now you understand the remodeling process, it’s time to create a plan. 

Preparing your home for a remodel is like an artist planning out their masterpiece – they need to consider many elements and pieces before beginning any work. 

Like with art, this can seem daunting at first, but if broken down into smaller steps, it becomes much more manageable. This is one of the best ways to progress when learning how to prepare your home for a remodel.

To start off, measure all the areas of your home where renovations will take place. This will help you get accurate estimates on materials for the project as well as ensure everything fits properly when completed. 

You should also map out how furniture or other items in these spaces may need rearranging or moving elsewhere during construction. 

Once measurements and layout plans are done, budgeting and scheduling come next. 

Assess what funds you have available and set realistic goals regarding timeline completion; this way, unexpected costs won’t derail progress too far from the original goal of finishing quickly yet affordably. 

With careful consideration given each step of the way, creating a comprehensive plan sets up a successful remodeling journey ahead!

Planning Your Budget For Your Remodel

Setting a budget is absolutely one of the most important decisions you’ll make during the remodeling process. 

Knowing your budget in advance allows you to ensure that the project stays within your financial means and on schedule. 

To do this, make sure you have an accurate list of all materials needed for the project as well as cost estimates from any contractors or subcontractors you may be hiring. 

Additionally, consider adding in a 10-15 percent contingency fund in case of unexpected costs along the way.

Once you’ve established a realistic budget, stick to it! Make sure to track spending throughout the entire process to stay up-to-date with the allocation of the money. 

Doing so will help maintain control over both time and finances during your home remodel.

A Quick Guide to Hiring A Contractor

Have you thought about the logistics of hiring a contractor? Who will be responsible for what? How much should they charge? 

What can you do to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible during and after your home remodel project?

The first step is to research contractors in your area. Check reviews online or ask friends and family who they’ve used before. Make sure they are licensed and insured in case something goes wrong. 

Once you find one that meets your requirements, get estimates from at least three different companies to compare prices and services offered. You may even want to talk with past clients who have had similar projects done by each company.

After deciding on a contractor, both parties need to sign an agreement outlining the scope of work, timeline, payment schedule, materials needed, etc. Be sure to read every detail carefully before signing anything, as this document serves as legal proof if there are any misunderstandings down the road. Having these details clearly beforehand helps protect all parties throughout the process!

Preparing Your Home For The Remodel

Before beginning your home remodel, it’s necessary to ensure everything goes smoothly. 

First and foremost, prepare your living space for construction. It’s best to move any furniture or décor that could be damaged during the renovation process. Cover up anything that you cannot move out of the way with plastic sheets or a tarp for extra protection. 

Make sure you have plenty of boxes available for packing away items to avoid potential damages in the chaos of a remodel. If possible, relocate some of these items temporarily until after the project is complete.

Next, ensure all utilities are ready for use before starting work on the project itself. Check that water and electricity are working correctly, as well as any other resources needed, such as gas lines or plumbing fixtures. 

You’ll also need to contact an HVAC specialist if you’re considering replacing air conditioning units or installing new ones. 

Finally, do not forget to arrange delivery dates for materials so they arrive when construction begins – this will save time while ensuring the availability of all necessary components during the remodeling process.

As homeowners, we can all relate to the excitement of remodeling a home. We dream of a transformation of our space into something new and exciting! However, it’s important to remember the process involved in preparing for a home remodel.

Remodeling one’s home isn’t always easy, but if done right, it can be incredibly rewarding in terms of both aesthetics and value. 

Are you ready?

Schedule a thorough home inspection with Divinity Home Inspections today to ensure your home is in good condition and ready for the changes ahead. 

In addition, getting a home inspection after the remodel is done makes a lot of sense as well!

Our experienced team will provide you with a comprehensive report that includes any necessary repairs or maintenance, so you can start your remodel with peace of mind. 

Contact us today to schedule your inspection and get started on your dream home remodel.

Home inspection after remodel tools

Why Sellers Should Get a Home Inspection After Remodel – How to Increase Your Home’s ROI

A home inspection after remodel might not be the first thing you think about making home improvements for an impending sale. You probably expect prospective homebuyers to hire a home inspector anyway. So why should you hire one?

In order to sell your property at an above-average rate, it needs to communicate that value to prospective homebuyers through a balance of maintenance and home improvements. Your goal is to increase your list price by renovating and/or remodeling. In order to do this, you have to calculate how much to invest in your project. This calculation should include the costs for a home inspection. After all, your improvements will eventually be scrutinized by the buyer’s home inspector. That’s why it is best to know beforehand that they will pass muster.

However, let’s start with talking about your home improvement/remodel options:

 

Value vs ROI

Increasing the value of a home is not the same as your return on investment (ROI). Calculate how much a project costs and compare it to the expected home value increase to determine your net gain.

 

Home inspections after remodel - tools for remodeling and renovation

Maintenance vs Improvements

Both maintenance and improvements are necessary to receive the highest price possible.

Maintenance is the act of restoring or repairing elements in your home to maintain their condition. This helps to control the value. 

Improvements are upgrades or renovation projects that raise the value of your home. When owning a home, an improvement project that is completed properly with quality materials increases the property value.

 

What Kind of Maintenance or Improvements Should a Seller Do?

When analyzing which projects to tackle first, begin where the homebuyer will start – at the curb.

Curb Appeal

  • Driveway
    • Repair
    • Seal
  • Front Door 
    • Sand
    • Paint
    • New door handle
    • New lock
  • Look Up
    • Replace missing shingles
    • Clean gutters
  • Windows /Energy Efficiency
    • Caulk
    • Weatherstripping
    • Replace if damaged
  • Mailbox
    • Replace if old or damaged
  • Deck or Patio
    • Wash
    • Repair
    • Paint, stain, and/or seal
  • Fences
    • Paint
    • Replace if damaged
  • Landscaping
    • Groom trees, bushes, and the lawn
    • Plant new trees or bushes for appeal
    • Add planters with flowers 

Interior Walls

  • Fix cracks and holes

It pays to have these done professionally if your handy work isn’t at an expert level. A careless repair that creates unsightly spackle and plaster marks might make buyers think twice. 

  • Apply a solid coat of paint in neutral, light colors

This renews old walls, brightens rooms, and makes them look bigger.

  • Replace old electrical switches 
  • Replace outlet covers

Flooring

  • Tile
    • Clean tile
    • Restore grout
    • Replace broken tile
  • Carpets
    • Exchange or clean them

Especially in areas with a lot of heat and high humidity like here in Tampa Bay, Florida, carpets as floor coverings tend to be less popular. However, if you decide against exchanging them with a different kind of flooring, you need to at least deep-clean them.

Ceiling

  • Replace dated light fixtures with new classic ones
  • Install a high-quality ceiling fan
  • Apply a coat of paint

Appliances and Mechanicals

Check the age and condition of your:

  • Furnace
  • Water heater
  • Electrical panel

If they are close to the end or beyond their expected lifespan, replace them.

Bathroom

  • New light fixture
  • New shower head 
  • New faucets 
  • Caulk the tub and showers

Take a look at the sink, toilet, and vanity, especially paying attention to the mirror. If you cannot restore their original beauty, replace them.

Kitchen

  • Replace damaged countertops
  • Consider replacing worn appliances
  • New cabinet knobs and handles
  • Apply a fresh coat of paint or restore wood

 

Low-End vs High-End Property ROI

If your home value is under the median cost of homes in Florida, the methods you use to improve your ROI will be much different than if the home value is well above this average. For instance, according to OpenDoor, an expensive home in Tampa, Florida, will benefit from adding on an attached garage. But a low-cost home has a better ROI when adding on a full bathroom.

 

Home Inspection Services for Sellers

Many home sellers choose to hire a home inspector. This offers guidance for homeowners to prioritize renovation and improvement projects. 

The last thing you want to do is put your home up for sale and let it remain on the market for months while you comb through repairs that are holding you back. The longer a property is on the market, the harder it is to sell. People assume that unsold homes are riddled with serious problems. Most of the time, they’re right. 

Don’t get stuck in “for sale” limbo. By paying for your own meticulously crafted home inspection report from Divinity Inspection Services before you list, you won’t be blindsided. Every issue will be outlined in detail so that you can be on top of potential roadblocks. 

Contact us today and schedule a home inspection after remodel!

 

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