7 Things You Must Know Before Renovating Your Home

It’s one thing to dream of your dream home, and it’s another thing to make it a reality. Here’s a quick rundown of what you must know before you start any renovation:

1.) Know your budget What you can afford and what you would like to spend are two different things that are never the same, and it is the first thing you need to learn before shopping around for your renovations.

Walk through with a professional designer (and builder) for tailored home building solutions at the beginning of the project to see what’s possible for your home and your budget. Better to know the limits and what to cap in your budget sooner than later.   

2.) Know your deadline 

The average design and construction process takes 6 - 24 months to complete, not including unexpected delays. If you’re expecting your house to be ready by a certain date, you must discuss deadlines with your designer and builder.

And if you’re working with custom home builders, discussing a deadline in advance can secure you one of their limited start dates. It also helps you visualize a timeline of the different steps from construction drawings to handover.  

3.) Know why 80% of designs never get built 

Some designs never get built because they go over budget. Knowing your budget early is important. When you involve your builder during the design stage, it helps you design a custom home that is both practical and within your budget.

A residential home builder has the experience to foresee the potential cost implications of a difficult site or architectural features.

If you don’t have a builder yet, ask these questions first before moving forward with one.

4.) Know who will own the copyright 

Regardless of how much you pay, your renovation’s designs are owned by a design company. While it is possible to negotiate the ownership of the copyright, you need to be clear about who owns the copyright and what the implications are when it comes to construction.

Otherwise, you are prone to copyright infringement that can result in legal action for damages, as well as halt your construction. 

5.) Know when your selections are due 

Finalizing your colour and style selection immediately can help your renovations progress on time. Some materials are requested or scheduled for months in advance, and prices may fluctuate between contract signing and ordering materials.

Don’t let your analysis paralysis rule you. Keep a record of your selected materials to avoid being over budget, and with that said...  

6.) Know that variations cost 

Changes during construction happen but often come at a price. If decisions take too long, you may not only pay for the variation, but also for the extra time and delays it causes on-site.  

7.) Know how many pages a contract proposal should be 

A contract proposal is a thorough list of specifications that includes constructions schedule with the estimated timeline, a list of materials, and labor costs that total to 20-30+ pages.  Renovating is a complex operation that requires quality craftmanship and logistics with multiple suppliers and subcontractors.

Never sign a contract based on a 2-3 page quote!

Save your time and download our e- book: 7 Things You Must Know Before Renovating Your Home to get in-depth information that will kick off your renovation.