Whether you’re looking to make your home more comfortable or increase its value, a custom home renovation may be the right choice for you. But what are the pros and cons of a remodel versus building a new custom home?
When it comes to renovating your existing home, it’s important to have a realistic budget. Here are some tips to help you stay on track:
Budget
When it comes to home renovation, the costs can add up quickly. Creating a budget before the project begins is essential to avoid over spending. This is especially true for projects involving extensive tearing down and rebuilding. Whether you’re renovating to prepare your home for a sale or simply updating some features, it’s important to keep the final cost in mind.
Labor typically makes up 20 to 35 percent of the overall cost of a renovation. You’ll also need to factor in materials, finishes and fixtures like cabinets, paint, knobs and faucets. You can lower these costs by reusing old or salvaged materials and choosing energy efficient appliances.
Some renovations are more expensive than others, but they’re all worth it in the long run. Replacing a roof, fixing a sagging foundation or upgrading the HVAC system can save you money on future repairs and help your house stay comfortable for years to come.
Design
A custom renovation involves a lot of planning and preparation, so it’s important to make sure you have a clear vision of what you want your finished space to look like. To help you achieve your vision, gather inspiration from design magazines, websites, and social media platforms. Create mood boards or digital folders to collect images that capture your preferred aesthetic and style. These will serve as a guide for your consultations with contractors and designers throughout the process.
Before you begin your renovation, be sure to consult with a design professional to discuss the scope of work and determine whether any structural modifications will need to be made. This step is particularly crucial for homeowners who need to renovate their homes for accessibility reasons. In addition, it’s essential to establish a budget and timeline for the project. You’ll also need to consider the potential effects on your home’s resale value. It’s important to set realistic goals and not try to overextend yourself with features that may not add long-term value to your property.
In addition, remodeling projects can be messy and disruptive to your family life. Therefore, it’s important to create non-work zones during construction. It’s also a good idea to create a schedule of regular updates and to address any issues promptly.
A custom home build is an exciting and rewarding project, but it’s important to understand what to expect before you start. If you’re not prepared for the challenges, it can be difficult to keep your project on track and within budget. By establishing your goals, preparing your budget, gathering inspiration, and assembling the right team, you can ensure that your custom renovation is a success.
Timeline
Home remodeling can be a long process. It’s important to understand the timeline for your project and plan accordingly. This will help you avoid any surprises and keep your project on schedule. It’s also a good idea to get a timeline from your custom home builder before you begin. This will give you a better idea of how long the project will take and when you can move back in.
While it’s true that renovations take longer than new construction, there are other factors that can impact the timeline. For example, the weather can delay work or unforeseen issues can arise. The best way to avoid delays is to choose a reliable builder with experience. A quality builder will have a strong track record and a team that can handle all aspects of the home construction process.
When choosing a builder for your renovation, be sure to ask about their track record and past projects. A quality builder should have a solid portfolio of completed projects and happy customers. They should also have a transparent process and be willing to provide a detailed schedule for the renovation.
It’s also important to discuss the type of renovation you’re considering with your builder. This will help them determine if the changes are within their realm of expertise and can be done within your timeline. It’s a good idea to consult with a designer as well, especially for more complicated changes, as they will be able to make recommendations on materials and can assist in creating your vision.
Many homeowners decide to renovate their homes in order to update the look and feel of their space. In addition, some may wish to modify their living space in order to accommodate growing families or aging parents. There are several benefits to renovating an existing home, including saving on mortgage payments and avoiding the cost of moving to a different location. However, extensive renovations can be more expensive than new construction and could result in a budget that isn’t sustainable in the long term.
While some people choose to live in their renovated homes while the work is underway, most find it easier and less stressful to move out during a renovation. The process is messy, noisy, and intrusive. Even a simple deck built by a crew of three or four can take a week to complete, and more complicated tasks such as adding stairs or a multi-level deck, installing a whirlpool, or attaching the deck to an older house can add weeks to the total completion time.
Communication
The home builder and the client need to have a good understanding of each other’s expectations. This will help avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary delays in the renovation process. Make sure your contract clearly lays out designs, specifications, estimates and timelines before the work begins. It’s also important to discuss how you will communicate throughout the project. Find out whether your design-build-remodeler encourages guided walk-throughs of the house during critical construction stages, such as structural framing or after electrical and plumbing rough in, or if they prefer informal meetings or phone calls to keep you updated on progress.
When you’re working with a custom home builder, don’t be afraid to ask for references from previous clients and see examples of their work. A reputable contractor will be happy to provide you with contact information and a portfolio of projects featuring before-and-after photos. Also, look for online reviews and testimonials to get an idea of how satisfied customers feel about their experience with the company.
Once you have a good rapport with your custom home builder, it’s important to be as clear and concise as possible in all communication. Often, small details can fall through the cracks if you’re not specific enough about what you want. For example, you may need to specify whether you want a particular shade of paint or if you’d like to change the location of a light fixture.
Another consideration is the budget and timeframe. Extensive remodeling may not be as cost-effective as building a new home from the ground up. However, if your current home is in a great location and has a lot of family memories, it might be worth the investment to renovate it instead of moving to a different neighborhood.
We believe in establishing long-term relationships with their clients by prioritizing customer service and transparency. This helps to reduce the number of times they have to call to make a change and ensures that all parties are on the same page about expectations.