Home renovations are a common undertaking for homeowners who wish to expand, update, customize, or change the floor plan of their home. Have you been considering launching a home renovation in 2025? If so, it’s time to start planning in earnest. You have a lot to decide on: your general plans, the contractors from whom you want to secure bids, how you will fund the project, where you plan to stay (if you cannot remain at home), and what you’ll do when the work takes longer than you and your contractor planned.
Take a deep breath. You’ve got this! Remember that more than half of all homeowners in the US will complete home renovation plans this year, and you are just as capable of doing the same. Middle Tennessee is home to incredible contractors, has a lengthy warm season that’s ideal for renovating, and is a hot market that will surely repay your investment should you choose to sell down the line.
With all that in mind, let’s dive into how to start a home renovation.
Choose Your Top Priority
For many of us, no matter how much we love where we live, we would like to change more than a few things about our homes. However, when it’s time to get serious about launching your big renovation, you’ll have to choose a starting point.
You may want to overhaul the guest bathroom, open the kitchen to create a spacious great room, install a pool, or add a mother-in-law cottage out back. On a smaller scale, you can re-landscape part of your yard, finish the garage, or replace worn carpet with gleaming hardwood flooring.
Each of these projects will carry different costs, take different amounts of time to complete, and will present varying levels of inconvenience for you and your family. Ultimately, you will have to weigh these factors carefully and then decide whether the results will improve your life (or your home’s value) significantly enough to make this a worthwhile investment.
Choose a Professional
Unless you’re just planning to paint cabinets or swap out small fixtures, you will likely wish to hire a professional. We strongly recommend obtaining several bids from licensed, bonded, insured landscapers, plumbers, roofers, and any other contractors whose expertise you may need. It goes without saying that every professional who will work on the interior or exterior of your home should be fully covered for any issues that could arise.
With these bids in hand, you’ll be equipped to decide what steps you’ll need to take to secure or set aside sufficient funds. We strongly believe it is wise to have a cushion in addition to the quoted amount; the odds are high that something unexpected will come up and impact the final cost of your renovation.
Get a Clear Understanding of Contract Terms
Your contractor will have a set method for proceeding with payments and work. Half at the beginning and half upon completion is a common approach, though there are contractors who are in high demand and will consequently require an additional downpayment to secure the job farther in advance.
Whatever the payment schedule you decide on, be sure to ask if you will be charged additional fees for following a delayed payment schedule. While it may seem like a boon to have more time to pay for the work, it’s unlikely that your contractor will agree to this type of arrangement without bringing in a higher total amount in exchange.
If you decide to finance your renovation, try working with your primary mortgage lender rather than contracting with individual companies. It’s worth the time and effort you’ll invest to secure the best rate!
Ready? Set. Go!
With all the details sorted out, you’re finally prepared to begin your renovation! If you keep your first project small and simple, you are likely to take the DIY route. Double and triple-check your measurements and technique, buy your supplies, and get busy!
If you’re working with a contractor, do everything you can to remain optimistic and patient. Most of us struggle with having our homes invaded, our routines made impossible, and a huge mess piling up in what is usually our quiet refuge. Still, your contractors are doing their very best to work safely and swiftly and clean up as they go.
Avoid unnecessary conflict with your contractor and their team. Even if it seems like venting would help, call a friend, talk to your mental health professional, or simply take your dog on a long walk! This will be over soon, and you’ll be so happy you endured this temporary inconvenience.
The Takeaway
For all but the smallest and most straightforward upgrades, your best bet is planning ahead, working with the best professionals you can afford, and being savvy about your finances along the way. Whether you are repainting your guest room or gutting your kitchen, we hope you are happy with your results for many years to come.
Do you have experience with home renovations? If you do, we would love to hear from you in the comments below. Tell us what worked, what you’d do differently given the chance, or leave tips for choosing the best contractors in the area. We value your insight and appreciate your willingness to help your fellow Middle Tennesseans.
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