An Introduction to Home Remodeling
Houston Home remodeling can be a fun, if exhausting, process. It’s common for projects to take more time and money than anticipated, which is why we emphasize the importance of dedicated planning. Even if a particular project goes over budget or requires additional resources, a solid home remodeling plan provides the homeowner with a course of action that won’t let things go too far off the rails.
Here are some questions you should ask yourself before beginning a home remodeling project:
To do the home remodeling job right, do you have to do the job yourself?
With regard to home remodeling, these are the three most likely scenarios: you work on your home on your own, or with a little help from friends and family; you hire professionals to make the necessary alterations; or you strike a balance between paying for outside help and making your own repairs.
Which of these outcomes best fits your home remodeling needs and budget?
If your home remodeling needs are relatively minor, then you can probably perform the repairs on your own. With that said, it’s strongly recommended that you leave tricky jobs like electrical and plumbing repairs to the pros. Another factor to consider is whether you’ll have the motivation and patience to see a project through to its completion. If your home remodeling skills aren’t up to snuff, there’s no shame in bringing in someone with the training to complete the project in a swift and satisfactory manner.
Who To Ask For Help On Your Home Remodeling Project
If your preference is to hire an outside individual, there are a wide variety of home remodeling professionals you could employ, ranging from skilled amateurs to licensed tradesmen. Do your due diligence in researching your options as thoroughly as possible; ask your prospective contractors how long they’ve been in business, whether they can handle projects of various sizes, and if they’re willing to provide references from previous customers. At the same time, don’t take the word of contractors as gospel—when possible, talk to people who hired the contractor you’re considering (or find customer testimonials online through sites like Yelp).
Naturally, if you’re going to ask loved ones to assist you in remodeling your home, you should purchase the supplies and equipment they’ll need—and that includes a large pizza with all the toppings they want for when the job is completed!
If you’re still unsure where things stand in your home renovating process, you can consult this chart to weigh the pros and cons of doing it yourself versus hiring a pro.
Should you spend money to make money on a potential home resale?
Anyone who has investigated investing in a home remodeling project knows that they can be expensive. That’s why it’s important to come up with a financial game plan that will determine how much you’re willing to spend. Aside from your ability to pay your contractor, you also want to figure out whether these repairs will boost your home’s resale value. While your home’s resale value may seem like an irrelevant consideration to you now—particularly if you have no interest in selling it—taking the appropriate steps to protect your home’s value will be something you glad you did if or when you decide to put your home on the market.
In a nutshell, home remodeling projects can be classified into one of two categories: high-value remodeling and low-value remodeling. High-value remodeling can be defined as home renovations that would potentially bring you the highest return on investment; examples include minor kitchen remodeling, major bathroom repairs, and a deck addition. Low-value remodeling jobs, which are more cosmetic in nature, are done primarily with the comfort and pleasure of the current homeowners in mind; these include remodeling a home office and building a sunroom.
In deciding what home remodeling projects may best aid your home’s resale value, consult Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, which is updated on an annual basis.
Are your plans for home remodeling on the highway to the danger zone?
It’s important to keep in mind that your home remodeling repairs aren’t being done in a vacuum. More specifically, you want to be mindful of local zoning laws that dictate whether you can demolish parts of your home or build an addition to it. There are many instances when it won’t be necessary to secure a building permit, but local governments have different regulations about such matters. Because they can take considerable time to secure, one of your first steps should be to learn whether you need a building permit before beginning any major home remodeling projects.
Information about basic zoning laws can be found by consulting with groups like the U.S. Small Business Administration or by contacting a lawyer to learn about the particular zoning laws in your area.
Keep in mind that this is far from an exhaustive list, but rather a primer on home remodeling basics. For more information, keep reading the Houston Home Remedy blog or contact one of our home remodeling experts today!