Common Home Renovation Questions
Remodeling your home is a big undertaking, even if you aren’t doing the remodeling part on your own.
Here are some of the most common home renovation questions and answers to help you with your remodeling journey:
How Do I Start Remodeling My Home?
The first step to remodeling your home is getting clear on what your needs and wants are. Take a look around your home – what would you like it to look like, and what may be some immediate issues that need the most attention.
For inspiration, visit sites like Houzz or Pinterest, and once you have a clearer idea of what you’d like to do, start researching and contacting home renovation contractors to help you achieve your vision.
The design and planning phase are very important, so make sure you understand what’s possible, what the work entails (time and money wise), and that your contractor knows exactly what you’re looking for in a remodel and what the budget is. Also, ensure that you have a contract outlining the scope of the project and the responsibilities of both parties.
How Much Will My Remodeling Cost?
Your specific remodeling costs will depend on many factors, such as the scope of the project, the features and materials you choose, and the size of your space. Upon discussing your particular home improvement project with your contractor, they will be able to give you a more specific answer.
A question that goes hand in hand with remodeling costs is how much you can realistically budget for the remodeling – the ultimate question that needs to be addressed in every home improvement project in order to find out what you can actually get for that amount of money.
There are different ways to pay for the renovation, including savings and home improvement loans. Figure out how much you can afford comfortably each month – knowing how much you have and how much you can spend on your remodeling project will help you remove items that don’t fit your budget, or potentially allow for you to expand on your remodeling dream.
How Long Will My Renovation Take?
The answer to this question will also depend on the type of renovation; the timeline will be different based on which area are you’re thinking of remodeling, how big the space is, and the decision making process between you and your contractor.
Where Should I Start Remodeling?
If you’re looking to remodel your entire home, and you’re wondering if you should do it all at once and where to start, things to consider is whether or not you would be living in your home throughout the project. If the answer is yes, you may want to plan remodeling room by room; if you don’t plan on being in the house, you may plan to do everything at once, which could also help streamline the process.
Do I Need A Building Permit?
Most likely, yes – since every city, town, and, often, individual neighborhoods within a city, have their own building permitting regulations.
A licensed general contractor should be able to handle all building or remodeling permits you may need for your home remodel.
How To Choose The Right Contractor?
The best advice we can give you on whom to hire to complete a renovation project for you is to do your research.
Get the information on the contractor’s experience, qualifications, and reputation, as well as their process, timeline, price point, and any other details that are important to you. Be careful not to choose a contractor solely based on price, as there are several contractors who do not have the appropriate licenses and bonding or the experience for the job.
For example, a renovation project may involve a particular building material that the contractor is not skilled in. Another example is that some homes have unique challenges, such as homes designated as “historical”; their unique characteristics must be maintained and regulations followed with any renovations. Otherwise, the homeowner will be liable for bringing back the historical elements that were disturbed, and the reconstruction can be extremely expensive and lengthy.
You can ask for references from other projects and follow-up with each reference.
Remember, compromising on the contractor’s qualifications and experience can lead to expensive fixes and maintenance down the road.
Can The Same Contractor Be Used For All My Projects?
This will depend on the versatility and skills of your contractor. Make sure you inquire about your contractor’s experience and expertise in various indoor and outdoor remodeling projects.
How Disruptive Could This Renovation Be?
Again, it will depend on the scope of the remodeling project, as well as the room or area being renovated. Some projects will only mean minor inconveniences; however, renovation of an entire kitchen, and especially the whole house, might disrupt family life quite a bit, requiring a little vacation or a stay at grandma’s place.
How May External Factors, Such As Effects From The Pandemic, Affect The Project?
Unfortunately, the “new normal” due to the Coronavirus pandemic has also affected renovation projects. Delays and disruptions may happen due to a shortage of materials and equipment, handymen and contractors, government workers responsible for issuing permits and inspections.
Before beginning a renovation project, it is advisable to discuss any factors, such as delays, worker infections and mitigations, related to the pandemic that could affect your home project.
At Harbor Stone, we have a reputation for completing projects that meet or exceed expectations, on time and on budget, and we also do home renovations in phases per customers’ request. We’d love to talk to you about helping you create a happier, more comfortable and more beautiful home!
Our team of experienced contractors is trained to tackle anything from a whole house remodel to specific areas. Trust Harbor Stone Construction Company for all your home improvement and remodeling needs in Chester County PA and Greater Philadelphia.
If you have questions we didn’t answer, or to get a quote today – contact us at: (610) 467-0872.