Considerations for Home Renovations

Thinking about doing some home reno. I’ve done my share, am pleased with the results and definitely love my home, but I did find the experience rather daunting at times. In retrospect, I probably wouldn’t have been quite so overwhelmed if I had kept a few basic factors in mind.

Here’s a look at four broad considerations to remember before and during your next renovation.

Why are You Renovating?

First things first! Keep in mind the reasons that led to your desire to renovate. Are you fixing up your place to put it on the market? Is your family growing and you need to make room or better use of space? Or, are you sprucing things up to be happier and more comfortable in your home with no places to move on or drastically change your living situation?

Whatever the case may be for you, try to stay focused on doing the job right and not veering off course for your initial vision. For example, if you’re looking to sell you probably ought to stick with neutral colours, minimise clutter and not do anything to make the house seem too personalised to your (and possibly no one else’s) tastes. Obviously, if the idea is to treat yourself to the home you always wanted, then dream big and bold and go with your gut for designs, furnishings and personal touches.

What’s Your Budget?

Plot out and itemise your expenses and be sure that what you want to do is affordable for you. And – as is almost always the case when renovating – expect your project to go over budget at some point. Plan for it by maintaining low costs, meeting deadlines, tracking your expenditures, and trying to factor in unexpected costs.

DIY or Some Other Guy?

Are you doing things on your own, paying a professional to manage the job or doing some mix of both? If going the DIY route, be sure you’ve got the time, talent, skills, patience and wherewithal to complete what you set out to accomplish. If hiring a pro – let’s say for water damage repair in Orange County – shop around, ask friends for recommendations, and establish clear expectations about timing and cost with whomever you hire.

Choose Wisely

Odds are you want a finished product that can last years, decades even. So choose wisely with respect to style (try not to be too trendy), quality and durability.

With the right attitude, this can be a really fun part of your project. For example, if you start looking for the right lights for your home, digging around online and building wish lists can be an enjoyable way to narrow down potential purchase, compare prices and understand what’s to your liking and within your budget. One great online resource for your lighting needs. is Urban Cottage Industries. To take a look at a range of both wall and ceiling lighting click here for the Urban Cottage Industries site.

Got any tips on how to go about home renovations without any hitches or heartbreak? I’d love it if you shared them in the comments section. Thanks!

This post was written In collaboration with Urban Cottage Industries.