So how successful have you been in keeping up your New Year’s resolutions thus far in 2016? Like many of us, you probably made a series of solemn promises to improve yourself this year—and like most of us, those promises have by now been forgotten. But even if you broke your oaths to quit smoking or go to the gym, there’s one promise that all homeowners should keep: to follow through on your plans to remodel your home.

Staying true to your home remodeling resolutions can be difficult, but it’s in your best interest to do so in the long term. Like many New Year’s resolutions, the key is stick-to-itiveness; even if you’re temporarily discouraged, it’s important to preserve in order to complete the individual home remodeling project in front of you. Once you’re able to do that, everything else should fall into place.

With that said, here are a few constructive tips you can use to make your home remodeling resolutions come true:

1. Create a home remodeling plan.

There are two primary stages to determining your home remodeling needs. The first stage is to assess on your own what remodeling issues are most pressing. For instance, mandatory roof repair takes precedence over redesigning the kitchen. Create a list of issues organized from most to least important and conduct independent research on what you might expect to pay to address them individually.

The second stage is to due your due diligence in finding a reputable home repair company. Looking up the websites of home remodelers in your area is a good first step in this process. You want to know what they charge for the services you need as well as see examples of the sort of craftsmanship they offer. It would also be a good idea to research the professional reputation of the home remodeling company you hire by reading their customer reviews and verifying their credentials.

2. Set a budget and (mostly) stick to it.

With any costly, long-term project, it’s important to set financial limitations so that you don’t exceed your monetary means. Along with establishing your home remodeling priorities, you also need to communicate your budgetary goals with your home contractor. It’s understandable if you slightly exceed your limits in order to meet your remodeling goals—the purpose of determining your budget before work begins is to make clear to everyone involved that these are the parameters you feel comfortable working in. Any reputable remodeling company will appreciate and respect these limits, and would be more than happy to work with you so that the project is completed in the way you want at a cost that’s affordable to you.

3. Base your remodeling plans on successful examples.

Many prospective brides create scrapbooks of pictures from wedding magazines so they can go to various venders with a vision of what they want their big days to look like. Along these lines, you should look through the image galleries on home remodeling sites. If nothing else, reviewing these galleries will give you a better sense of what’s possible with your home. It also provides you with a visual shorthand to show contractors the look you hope to achieve, as well as the materials you wish to use.

4. Remodel your home with one eye on the present and the other on the future.

It’s good at the outset to have a definitive vision of what you want your home to look like. However, it’s as important to be flexible with your remodeling plans and adapt when needed. Perhaps you discover that an unnecessary home alteration prevents you from affording a more crucial repair. Or perhaps circumstances change in your personal life that affect the plans you previously had for your home. If, for example, you have children moving out of the house to attend college, you may feel motivated to reduce your space; alternatively, you may feel the need to expand if your elderly parents move in. Regardless of what your needs at the moment may be, write your home remodeling plans in pencil so you can be prepared to erase them and come up with new ones if necessary.

Are you in the market for a professional company that can help you fulfill your home remodeling resolutions? If so, then Home Remedy in Houston can help. With proper planning and that all-important ingredient of stick-to-itiveness, you can achieve your dream of having a beautiful home you can enjoy for years to come!

Image Credit: How to Nest for Less