Tips for a Stress-Free Home Renovation

It’s difficult to think of the word “renovation” without stress. Sure, you’re improving your home, but the dust, chaos, damage, and invasion from strangers can go on for days, all of which is pretty stressful.

However, this does not have to be the case. Working with a professional contractor who can clearly communicate the process of undertaking a reno project will make for a stress-free experience. However, a smooth process begins with you! Before starting any home renovation, break the project down into manageable steps.

Below are 7 tips to help you have a stress-free renovation.

1. Ask questions, then ask some more

Remember: there’s no such thing as a bad question!

When interviewing potential contractors for your home reno project, ask them questions about everything that you are even slightly concerned about. It’s a good idea to draft up some questions beforehand; consider the cost, scheduling, the process, payments, etc. The contractor you hire should be able to answer all of your questions before they begin work.

A good contractor will also ask you important questions too. For example: “Will you stay in the house during construction? How are you paying for the renovation? What is your timeline? Why are you renovating?” These questions help your renovator understand your motivation and bring to mind any items you haven’t considered yet.

If you make sure to cover your bases, you should start to feel less anxious and understand the renovation process.

2. Do your homework before hiring anyone

As with asking questions, you need to do your homework.

You need to hire a contracting company that fits your needs, and to do that, you need to do some pretty extensive research to make sure you are not signing up for something you did not expect.

One of the best ways to find a great contractor is to ask around for recommendations from your friends and family—word of mouth really works! The other option is conducting online research. Read reviews provided by people who have previously worked with the companies you are interested in working with and start to compile a list of candidates. Remember: just because a company has a good website doesn’t mean they provide quality services.

3. Understand your role as the homeowner

Once your initial concerns are resolved and you have hired your contracting company, it’s time to consider your role as the homeowner during construction. Do not walk into a home reno project thinking that it’s a hands-off process; you need to plan for regular meetings with your contractor team and be available to make decisions in a timely manner.

Be aware that if you hesitate in providing answers or direction for important decisions, you could delay the completion of your reno project. This could also account for additional costs.

4. Plan it at the right time

Another cause for a lot of home reno stress can come from poor planning.

One way to instantly decrease this stress is by sitting down with your family to plan for it to occur at a time where it will not disrupt your life unnecessarily.

Consider planning renovations during a holiday where you, your spouse, and kids can easily step back while being available during the most critical parts of the entire work process. Remember not to plan the whole renovation project during exams or other stressful times. The last thing you or your family need is the added pressure of a home reno.

5. Set a realistic budget

Perhaps the most important thing you will do when preparing for a reno project is setting a realistic budget for what you are willing to spend, which can be stressful in and of itself. You know already that you need to consider the cost of the materials, the hourly rate of your contractor, the cost of permits/licenses you need to get, bin rental costs, etc. However, there are some hidden costs (such as shipping fees) that you need to make sure you discuss with your contractor before getting started.

Consider the possible financing options for your project. Understand that reliable home renovation loans are always an option to make sure that you have the necessary cash to get your project done right.

6. Clearing out the reno space

Before your contractor descends upon your property, you will need to empty out the space they will be working in; this can be both stressful and rewarding if done right. That said, your cupboards, furniture, artwork, and curtains, for example, should be removed. By emptying the workspace, you are eliminating the possibility of anything getting damaged. As well, renting a bin, like the ones at Gorilla Bins, can save space while you’re clearing out your reno space and getting rid of unwanted household materials and garbage.

Cleaning out the reno space is also a great opportunity to downsize. Although it may seem like a lot of work, it will be worth it in the long run.

Anything leftover should be sealed and put away until the project is complete.

7. Trust your contractor’s professionalism and experience

If you have properly done your preliminary research, you need to trust your contractor’s professionalism and experience.

During the reno process, you may have disagreements, which is perfectly normal and okay. Remember that everyone has your best interest at heart and is looking to provide you with the best outcome possible. If you are worried, take the time to understand where your team of professionals is coming from and do not hesitate to ask questions.

At the end of the day, you are the client, and you need to be happy.

Get in Touch

There you have it: all the tips and tricks you can follow to help you have a stress-free home renovation experience! Ready to get started? Call our team at Gorilla Bins at 877-700-2467. One of our professionals will be happy to help answer any of your questions.

Happy renovating!