Blog - 11 Home Improvement Ideas
No matter what type of renovation you are undertaking in your Las Cruces home, there are several ways that you can make the job a little easier to manage.
1. Plan Ahead
Do your planning well in advance of when you actually want the renovation to be done. Then schedule the renovation to take place once all the materials have been purchased and have arrived and your personal schedule will allow for it whether you are doing the work yourself or not.
Materials can have lead times of up to 12 weeks and contractors may have other jobs lined up; have everything in hand before you begin to make the most of the time you have.
2. Set a Budget and Stick to It
Spend a few days visiting showrooms and lumber yards before you begin your plans. Get the pricing and estimated lead times on all the materials, then make a budget of what you can reasonably afford.
It's very easy to get swept up in beautiful displays and photographs of finished projects, but this can quickly lead to a budget getting exhausted before the project is completed.
If you fall in love with a look or style, speak to design consultants at kitchen, bathroom, tile and plumbing showrooms. They can frequently offer tips on how to get the look you want for less. Don't purchase anything until you have a price tag for the bottom line and you know it matches the original budget numbers.
3. Trust Your Contractor
If you aren't doing the work yourself, remember that the contractor you hire to do the work is gaining access to your home. This means that there should be no doubts on your end about whether or not he is suitable for the job.
Interview several contractors before settling on one and ask for references, photographs and anything else you need to feel comfortable. If something doesn't feel right, or the contractor is trying to impose his own vision over your own, move on.
4. Clear Your Schedule
A typical kitchen renovation can take upwards of eight weeks from start to finish. A bathroom may take two and a new foyer could take a week. Make alternate arrangements for eating, cleaning or entering your home during these times.
If you're doing the work yourself, remember to factor in the time you'll need to get the job done. If you work a day job and are coming home to do repairs, be realistic about how much will get done each day and set a timetable accordingly.
5. Get Accurate Measurements
Nothing halts a job faster than running out of materials mid-way through. Take every measurement twice to ensure that you order enough materials and remember to factor in waste. Expect to purchase a minimum of five percent additional material for each job. For complicated jobs or intricate patterns of tile, stone or wall coverings, purchase up to 20 percent extra just in case.
6. Remember the Details
It's often the little things that blow a budget out of proportion during a renovation. Outlet covers, baseboards, tile trim pieces, grout and paint primer are frequently overlooked during the planning stages, but still get tacked on at the end.
Go over the entire project piece by piece and keep a list of all the materials you'll need to complete the job. Factor these into your original budget and make adjustments if necessary to make sure you can stick to it.
7. Order Samples
Purchase or borrow samples of all materials you are considering for the project before you buy. This includes tiles, paint, countertops, flooring and carpets as well as siding and roofing materials.
Look at the samples in the light they will be installed in to make sure the color works for you and with the other choices in the home. While samples can be a small expense, they can save you a larger expense later on if you find that the stone you were expecting came in a lot lighter than you had expected.
8. Ask Questions
Did you know that a tile floor turned on the diagonal will cost you a minimum of 20 percent more than a tile floor laid straight? Or that some granite countertops require underlayments that increase the cost of the installation?
Ask plenty of questions of the sales people, contractors and installers you come in contact with. Compare apples to apples and ask if a different layout or material will affect your bottom line. You could be paying significantly more for a product or job that has only slightly better aesthetics. On the other hand, you may decide the added price is worth it, but you'll know exactly what you're in for.
9. Check the Finish Work Before You Sign Off
If the work is being done by a contractor, don't sign off on anything until you've done a thorough walk through and inspection. Double check that all the trim pieces are in place, the correct colors were used and that everything looks exactly as it should. Also make sure that any leftover materials are left in your basement or garage; if you paid for the materials they should remain with you. Too many contractors take leftover scrapes for work on other jobs, and you may need these for repairs down the road.
10. Don't Fall for Fads
Remember Harvest Gold and Avocado Green, the hot colors of the early 1960s? What about tumbled marble and Biscuit, the hot materials and colors of the early 21st century? Nothing dates a home renovation faster than following a fad.
Invest in products, materials and colors that are in keeping with your home, your neighborhood and your personal tastes. Avoid fad products or colors that may affect the resale of your home in 10 years. When in doubt, look up the original color palette for your home's style and stick to historical color and material choices. The result will be a better, longer lasting fit with the home.
11. Don't Put it Off
Remember that your home is both an investment and the place where you live. Take care of it and see to home renovations in a timely manner. Hold off big ticket improvements until you can afford to do what you want, but see to repairs as they become noticeable. In the end, your home renovations should improve your home for now and for the future.
Have you ever renovated something in your home before? Share your stories below.
