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Prepare for Your Home Renovations With This Checklist

Renovations are a great way to make a house a home. However, they can spring surprises on homeowners. To prepare for your remodel, follow this checklist from Air National Texas.

Create a Budget

Renovation costs can pile up quickly, but a budget ensures you don’t overspend. A good rule is to cap your per-room spending at 15% of the property’s total equity. Additionally, don’t forget to include the cost of inspections and permits. Whether you need either depends on your municipality, so check with your city beforehand.

Get More from Your Home Office

If you’re one of the many employees who switched to remote work, you should use renovations to update your home office. Just a few changes can boost your productivity:

  • Maximize natural lighting
  • Add ambient lighting
  • Choose neutral wall colors
  • Install storage solutions

What if you don’t have enough space for a dedicated office? You can make a guest room multifunctional. For example, you can get a sleeper sofa that offers comfortable client seating while doubling as a guest bed.

Choose Changes That Increase Your Property Value

The right renovations can significantly boost your home’s equity:

  • Additional bedroom
  • Additional bathroom
  • Updating the master suite
  • Upgrading the kitchen
  • Redoing the bathroom
  • Updating flooring

Make sure you take steps to avoid any common mistakes when making these upgrades. For example, if you’re upgrading your kitchen, avoid any tricks like purchasing new countertops to disguise your older cabinets. Trying to fool buyers can quickly backfire on you. Also, to get an idea of potential value increase, check out your local real estate market. You can even speak with a realtor to learn what homebuyers are looking for.

Be Prepared for Inconvenience

Renovations are messy and noisy and involve strangers working in your home. Since remodels can take weeks, you should have a plan to minimize inconvenience:

Have Your HVAC Inspected and Service

If you’re planning on renovating your home, it’s important to make sure that your HVAC system is up to the task of keeping your home comfortable. After all, no one wants to deal with a broken air conditioner in the middle of a heatwave. Air National Texas can help you avoid this nightmare scenario by performing a comprehensive inspection of your HVAC system. We’ll identify any potential problems and help you get your system back in working order. In addition, we can also advise you on ways to improve your system’s efficiency, saving you money on your energy bills in the long run. So don’t wait until it’s too late – call Air National Texas today.

Invest in Flooring

Your flooring has a huge impact on property value. In fact, research shows that you can get a return on investment as high as 147% when you refinish your hardwood floors. Of course, there are other factors to consider, such as durability, ease of cleaning, and cost.

One benefit of highly durable flooring is fewer repair costs over time. The following are some of the most durable options:

  • Engineered hardwood
  • Porcelain tile
  • Bamboo
  • Laminate
  • Vinyl

Find a Reputable Contractor

While you can tackle minor repairs yourself, you should hire a contractor for major remodeling. To ensure your contractor is reliable and fair, ask about the following:

  • Good customer reviews
  • Registration with the state licensing board
  • No complaints on the Better Business Bureau website
  • Adequate insurance

Expect Surprise Repairs

Renovations may uncover hidden issues that need immediate repair:

  • Mold and mildew
  • Termites
  • Live wires
  • Asbestos
  • Dry rot

These unwanted surprises can extend the timeline and add to the total cost. To compensate, add a “grace” period to your estimated timelines and create a contingency fund so that your budget goes untouched.

With a solid design plan and a well-researched budget, you can get a beautiful house that meets all your needs. Once renovations to your kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else are finished, don’t forget to protect your home office and redone kitchen with a home warranty. You’ll soon have a property you’ll be proud to sell!

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