Starting a home renovation can be overwhelming. There are so many moving parts to consider! We recommend making a comprehensive home renovation plan that you can use as a guiding light throughout the project. Whether you are a contractor or a homeowner, this guide should help you get off on the right foot! Here are some important points to consider as you come up with your plan.
Make a Plan
You can’t start a project without a home renovation plan! Your plan might start with some inspiration from Pinterest or a sketch on a napkin, but needs to be transformed into clear goals.
A good plan includes blueprints (or at least sketches) of the finished project. If you are a DIYer, there is some fun software you can play with to create your own design. Some big box stores, like IKEA or The Container Store have folks onsite that can help you design your kitchen, bathroom or closet.
Determine what projects you can tackle on your own versus what you should hire a professional for. This will help sculpt your budget.
What are your wants versus needs? As your plan comes to fruition and you start collecting quotes from contractors, you will need to determine which parts of your vision you are willing to sacrifice if your budget keeps you in the confines of practicality.
If you are a contractor, you will need to find tactful ways to communicate with your client about their plan. If something they want is not possible, help them find a solution that both parties find acceptable. It is important to be upfront with the costs, as well as unexpected costs that WILL arise. Clients should expect change orders as you discover “fun” surprises in their home so they can budget accordingly.
Prepare a Budget
Inflation, natural disasters and global events have made the supply chain rather unpredictable. It is important to plan for major spikes in price between the date your client signed the contract and when you actually break ground. Ask your suppliers if they can secure prices for you or design a clause in your contract that accounts for inflation so you don’t lose your profit margin.
Permitting
It is important to apply for permits as soon as possible! It can take weeks, or months, to get permits approved. It is disappointing for homeowners to be caught up in this process. Make sure you include permit approvals when you create a construction timeline with your clients so there are no unexpected hang ups. Permits are an essential part of a home renovation plan. Don’t let your client convince you to forgo them in order to meet their deadlines.
Build a Timeline
Once you’ve done walkthroughs, built a scope, gotten your bid accepted and signed, it’s time to create a realistic timeline. It’s better to tell clients that the project will take longer than you anticipate, rather than telling them it will be done on a set date. You never know what kind of damage a house has until you start looking in it. There could be major structural damage that needs repair before you can move forward.
It’s important to be transparent about this so your client isn’t caught completely off guard.
Remember, it’s better to underpromise and overdeliver than the other way around!
Help your Client Plan
It’s important to work alongside your client to minimize disruptions. Let them know in advance when they will have limited access to their living spaces. You will get a lot of brownie points if you can suggest alternatives for them when their kitchen is out of commission. Having a print out of ways to help them cope with a major disruption like a home renovation will definitely help you stand out against other contractors.
Order of Operations
Listing your order of operations can help you clarify your plan and see flaws in it. If you need to rent a dumpster or special machinery, you will want to consider these in your plan. Renting equipment is expensive. It is important to get the most bang of your buck for the sake of your budget. Buying in bulk will also help with your budget, but you will need to think about storage in advance.
Once you come up with an order of operations, you should have a really clear and comprehensive plan that your client and any subcontractors can understand. This will go far in gaining the confidence of your clients, as well as preventing unnecessary trips to the hardware store.
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