4 Things Most People Wish They Knew Before Starting Their Home Renovation

Are you renovating your home for the first time? Then you are likely feeling overwhelmed, not knowing which steps to take first and without a clear vision of your end goal. You may be questioning every single choice you make, and you’re probably overwhelmed by how many decisions you’ll be faced with.

I have worked with many homeowners who were renovating their home for the first time. Some reach out to me after attempting the DIY route. Ultimately, they decide to hire an expert because they want to be sure they’re making the right choices, not only for aesthetic purposes but the function and long-term investment in their homes.

Today, I'm sharing 4 things you should know before taking on a home reno project…

Fact #1 - The Design Plan Must Come First

The beginning stages of a home renovation can be overwhelming. You may not know where to start, or which decisions will impact other important decisions you will have to make.

A designer will follow a step-by-step process. We first look at your home in a big picture way in order to develop a cohesive design plan starting with the floorplan layout. A functional floorplan is the foundation for your design plan. Next, we draft preliminary wall elevations and begin selecting the overall finish palette…all long before getting into the finer details.

A professional designer will provide detailed drawings with all selections and dimensions so your contractor will not only understand your vision, but he will also be able to price your project accurately. We highly recommend speaking with a designer before reaching out to a general contractor for quotes.

Fact #2 - Hiring a Professional Will Make the Process Go More Smoothly

It’s a common misconception that DIY projects will save a homeowner time and money. Actually, the opposite can be true.

Working with a designer will help the construction process to move along more quickly, by not having to stop to make decisions or changes - helping to avoid costly change orders.

I often work with clients who have already started making random purchases for their home renovation, even before making some of the bigger design decisions. Sometimes even before knowing the layout of the space. If you want to avoid being stuck with items that are the wrong size or don’t feel cohesive with the rest of your home, I advise against making any purchases until you have made all of your selections.

I’ve worked with clients who have purchased pendant lights and barstools for their kitchen before even knowing the size and location of their kitchen island, resulting in having to repurchase the items. I’ve seen new windows installed (and even walls being removed) in a kitchen before knowing where the cabinets will be located, resulting in limited layout options and lack of storage and function. These can be costly mistakes that affect the function AND value of your home.

At Design to Elevate, we follow a thoughtful step-by-step design process to help alleviate the stress of a home renovation, and to help ensure a successful outcome. We develop a design plan so you can clearly envision what your space will look like - before investing your hard-earned money.

Fact #3 - The Home Will Look Worse Before it Looks Better

Once construction is underway, things will get a bit hectic on the job site but it's exciting!

I won’t sugar coat it, there will be dust and debris everywhere. You might feel like you’re living in complete chaos, or that the construction is never going to end. It isn’t going to be easy.

There will most likely be surprises uncovered during demolition. It’s best to plan for these unknowns ahead of time. Keep realistic expectations and put some extra money aside for unexpected costs.

You have to tear things down before you can build them back up, so it’s essential that things get worse before they get better in this situation :)

Fact #4 - It is Definitely Worth It

Keep the end goal in mind. It's challenging to live with construction going on under your roof (or even if you're living elsewhere) but it's so gratifying to finally see your design plan come to life.

Your home finally matches the life you’ve worked hard for so many years to achieve. Your dreams have finally become a reality. The excitement and sense of accomplishment you will feel when you walk into your completed space for the first time, will make it all worth it.

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To Your Dreams,

Reanna