Dear Fixer Upper Buyer
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably watched an exciting renovation show on HGTV and thought, “Oh, I want to do that too!” If you have the motivation and initiative, go for it! Before you start working on this project, we think you should consider several things:
Set a Budget, Make Goals, and Draw Out a Plan
You should never start a project without doing these three things first! Setting a budget allows you to know how much money you have to work with so you can make a plan and have reasonable expectations. Ultimately, goals help you know what you want to do within that budget and finish projects. Drawing out a plan—a week-by-week outline of everything you’d like to accomplish within your desired time frame—helps you accomplish your goals in a timely manner.
Budget
Before you start your whole home renovation, you should know just how much it’s going to cost. A complete house renovation typically costs $40,000-$60,000. However, the cost to remodel certain rooms in your home could differ depending on size, use, age, etc. For example, the cost for remodeling a bathroom is in the range of $5,957 and $14,846. After you’ve looked at your finances, let’s say that you’ve decided to spend no more than $50,000 on the entire home renovation project with $10,000 of that amount going towards a really nice master bathroom—this is your budget.
Goals
For your goals, decide what exactly must be accomplished within the confines of your budget. Here are a few questions that you might consider as you decide what your goals are:
- What is your deadline for having the house finished?
- What main features absolutely need to be included in the remodel?
- Which projects will you be outsourcing and to whom?
Planning
Now that you know how much you’re going to spend and what will be done with that money, you’ve got to make a plan. Take a look at your ultimate deadline and split up the time into four to six segments and ask yourself, “What parts of the project should be done by each segment?” If needed, write your plan out on a physical calendar or set reminders on your phone to help make sure you finish on schedule.
It Doesn’t Necessarily Have to Be Done All at Once
A lot of people get overwhelmed by the idea that they have to renovate an entire house all at once. That could be a huge strain on your personal finances. If the home you’re buying is in good enough shape to live in while you’re remodeling it, then you should enjoy living there and finish each project bit by bit. You can split up projects throughout the year or even several years—it just depends on your personal financial situation.
Don’t Be a Cheapskate—Invest in High Quality Materials
Saving money is great! However, it’s important to consider the long-term effect of cheap materials. Because you’re already investing a lot of time and money into a home renovation project, buying cheap often means getting low-quality materials which won’t last too long. Save your future self time and money and get materials that will last!
Don’t Feel the Pressure to DIY Everything—Ask for Help!
Yes, there are hundreds of online tutorials that can show you how to do pretty much anything. What those tutorials can’t give you, though, is experience and quality. There are certain things that should definitely be looked at by a professional—like electrical work, plumbing, and radiant floor heating systems. If you attempt to work on these things yourself, you put yourself at risk of making things worse. If you find yourself needing help or just don’t feel qualified to do something, don’t hesitate to call a professional.
Give Shamrock Plumbing a Call!
We are here to serve you! If there’s anything you need during your home renovation project, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We offer a variety of residential plumbing services and are eager to help you anyway we can.
