Home Renovation Readiness Checklist
Renovators Place Columnist
Oct 08, 2009
Before you give the contractors the go ahead to rip off the side of your house or turn off your plumbing for a week, you ought to ask yourself a few questions. A home renovation can be great--a smart financial investment, a rewarding act of personal definition, and a great way to improve quality of life. But only if you're ready for it.
Home renovations aren't casual undertakings. Are you ready for yours? Use this checklist to see where you fall. Answer yes to every question, and it's time to fire up the power tools.
Your savings can dwindle awfully quickly if unexpected home renovation costs spring up. To stop that from happening, assess your home's condition thoroughly before you start, and make sure you have enough to cover it, plus some extra for unexpected expenses. And don't be afraid to explore financing options beyond your personal piggy bank.
Once you've got yeses to each of these questions, let the home renovation begin!
About the Author
Dawn West B.A. holds a B.A. in English from Harvard University and teaches writing at Oregon State University.
Do You Know the Scope of Your Home Renovation?
Are you going to make a few changes to your kitchen or are you redoing every room in the house? And more than that, what does "redoing" mean to you? Before you make a start your home renovation, you have to go through some serious mental acrobatics. What do you really want your home to look like? Figure that out, and then assess the feasibility of your vision. Once you've done both, you're ready for the next step.Do You Know How You're Covering Your Home Renovation Costs?
Before you hire electricians, carpenters, or painters to implement the lovely and feasible plan you've come up with, make sure you know how much they're going to cost you. Then make sure you've got your financing in order.Your savings can dwindle awfully quickly if unexpected home renovation costs spring up. To stop that from happening, assess your home's condition thoroughly before you start, and make sure you have enough to cover it, plus some extra for unexpected expenses. And don't be afraid to explore financing options beyond your personal piggy bank.
Is This a Good Time for You?
Home renovation costs money, of course, but is also costs time. Even if you're hiring professionals to do the work. Even if you plan every last detail before hand. And more than just time, home renovations have energy costs. Showering at the gym instead of in your own bathroom while they're working on the pipes is taxing. The smell of dry wall can get you down. Think ahead--do you have big work projects or time-consuming personal events on the horizon? The personal and financial costs of home renovations are not just costs, they're investments, but make sure it's the right time for you to invest.Once you've got yeses to each of these questions, let the home renovation begin!
About the Author
Dawn West B.A. holds a B.A. in English from Harvard University and teaches writing at Oregon State University.
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