Renovating Your Home in Time For Summer
f there’s any season you want your house at its best in, it’s summer. Summer is when friends and family frequent our homes, parties are a regular occurrence, and your backyard is your favorite hangout spot.
If you want to renovate your home in time for summer to make the above and other experiences the finest they can be, these tips can help.
Photo by Pixabay
Establish a Renovation Budget
Renovating can be as expensive or as cheap as you want. But whatever you’re spending should be well within your budget. The last thing you want to do is overspend on renovations and have to take things off your summer to-do list.
Budgeting for home renovations starts with careful planning. You must document the details of each project, the materials needed, and how much it will cost to complete (we’ll talk more about this later). Getting an estimate from a professional to ensure your budgeting is accurate is a good idea.
Once you have a good estimate for your renovations, add an amount for hidden costs and emergency expenses. And there’s your budget.
To stay within it, consider ways to save on materials, like using recycled or refurbished ones. DIY as much as you can. Also, see if you can start your renovations in the off-season, as contractors are less busy and more likely to charge a lower rate.
A budget won’t stop you from having the house of your dreams in time for summer activities. Instead, it’ll do the opposite and enable you to bring your vision to life entirely.
Consider What Can Be Done On Time
What projects can you complete in time for summer? This is a must-answer question as you don’t want to rush through any renovations and have to pay again to fix them. Understanding what can be done on time will also help you pick projects to focus on more efficiently.
Based on when you plan to start your renovations, what can be done well in time for summer? For example, can you renovate your entire outdoor entertainment area, or do you only have time to install a pool?
Do you have time to remodel your kitchen, or should your sole focus be implementing sustainable appliances? Determine whether you have time to complete a simple project like putting in air conditioning or a more complex one involving your entire home.
Choose Priority Projects
After you compile a list of renovations that can be done in time for summer, choose the ones that are your highest priorities. Factor in your budget when making this decision.
Listing ten priority projects is an excellent place to start. You may not get to all of them. However, you should be able to complete the first one on the list without issue in time for summer.
Create a Detailed Plan for Them
When making a list of your priority projects, remember that you’ll need to create a detailed plan for each. So, if a list of 10 is too much, narrow it down to however many you can develop a detailed plan for.
Document the following details for each renovation:
A timeline for completion
Your budget for the renovation
Your vision for the final product
Who you need to complete the project
What materials are required, and how much they cost
Add any other details that are relevant and helpful in completing your renovation.
Determine Who Will Help
There are so many renovation projects you can DIY. So, if all you need is yourself to get your renovations done in time for summer, more power to you. On the other hand, many of us will need additional help to complete our projects on time and accurately.
Determine who will help you with your renovations. If they aren’t too technical and don’t require a licensed person to complete them, family and friends are a good source of help to tap into.
More complex projects like installing smart devices or building a patio will need specialized help, like a contractor, interior designer, or electrician.
Start as Early as Possible
If you’ve got complex projects on your list of renovations to complete before summer, starting on them as early as possible is imperative. Not only do you want to ensure they’re finished in time for summer, but you also want to have time to fix mistakes that are sure to happen along the way.
Ensure You’re Constantly Working On Renovations
You can start a renovation early. But it doesn’t matter if you aren’t going to ensure that the project is constantly moving along. Without consistent work on renovations, you’re unlikely to complete them in time for summer activities.
So, constantly communicate with the people helping you with your renovations. Look at your timelines daily to ensure you’re making progress. Staying home during the renovation can also help.
Stay Home During Your Renovation
There may be a time when it’s unsafe for you to stay in your home during your renovation, like when dangerous equipment or materials are being used. However, you should strive to stay in your home during your renovation when possible.
Doing so will ensure you can keep an eye on progress. You’ll have more control over the renovation process. And it’ll save you time, money, and effort.
To stay home during your renovation, be sure you have the proper licenses and insurance. In addition, ensure good safety measures and a plan to prevent fires are in place and that everyone in your household knows what to do in an emergency.
Staying in your home while renovations are being completed can be beneficial. But only if it’s safe to do so.
Summer is one of the best times to show off your home. So, it’s no wonder we’re eager to renovate our homes' look, feel, and use. Get your projects done in time for the season with the tips above.
Author: Miles Oliver
cover image by Image by Cameron Smith on Unsplash
