It’s time to transform your space into an inviting, updated home that suits your family’s lifestyle with a home renovation. To get the most from your renovation, we compiled eight tips to make your project successful.

Know when to DIY it

There are some minor cosmetic renovations that you could do yourself: update the light fixtures, upgrade the hardware and fixtures in your kitchen and bathrooms, add a fresh coat of paint and install new window coverings.

Simple changes like these are perfectly DIY-able! They’ll save you the cost of labour, can be done by almost anyone, and don’t take much time to complete.

 

Know when NOT to DIY

But knowing when not to DIY your renovation is just as important! Tasks that are more involved, potentially dangerous or frustrating for those who have limited experience are best left to the pros. This includes:

  • Laying new flooring,
  • Applying new backsplash tile,
  • Installing new countertops and cabinets in the kitchen,
  • Installing new windows and
  • Removing walls

Some renovations can be dangerous or destructive if they are not handled by a professional, such as:

  • Updating the electrical wiring
  • Moving or installing plumbing, and
  • Installing gas lines, such as for a BBQ or a gas stove

And finally, there are big-picture considerations that require an expert touch, like:

  • Space and layout planning
  • Budgeting
  • Finding and hiring labour for the work
  • Securing permits (if required)
  • Ensuring the structure remains sound through the renovation

 

Consider your contractor or renovation project manager

Choose wisely! The contractor or renovation project manager you choose for your renovation can make a big difference to your enjoyment of the reno process, as well as the quality of the outcome.

At Flipside Homes, we offer a renovation project manager service, which is different from hiring a contractor. We come at renovations with a big-picture mindset, to guide you through budgeting and family considerations, offer project planning and design, negotiate with suppliers on your behalf, look at your return on investment from the reno, and generally apply a business-type approach to our work with you.

 

Plan ahead

Start your renovation planning early. Most people renovate in the summer to take advantage of the weather. Starting in late winter or early spring is a must to ensure no aspect of your project is rushed or forgotten! If permits are necessary, you’ll need even more time to have your application approved before the work can start. Your renovation project manager can help with the entire planning phase!

 

Prepare a budget

Part of the planning phase is deciding on a renovation budget. Your budget can usually be set in one of two ways:

  • Deciding how much you have available to spend on your Vancouver home renovation

Or

  • Choosing the rooms and extent of the renovation first, and allocating a budget to each to come up with a total number

Keep in mind the cost of home renovations Vancouver. You could expect a high-end kitchen renovation to cost around $50,000. A high-end bathroom might cost $30,000. With that said, small-budget renovations cost far less! Ask us for a quote to renovate your home.

Plus, it’s always important to give your renovation budget a buffer of at least 10% to leave some money aside for unexpected costs that might arise.

 

Source materials early

Further to the budgeting tip, you’ll want to source your renovation materials early in the planning process. Knowing the costs of the materials you want for your reno, like flooring, countertops, window coverings, lighting, cabinets and other big-ticket items can help you get a realistic picture of your renovation budget.

Our renovation project management team at Flipside Homes use our connections with suppliers in Greater Vancouver, and negotiate with them, to help you get discounted prices on the materials for your home.

 

Be flexible

One thing is certain with renovations: nothing is ever certain. Surprises and changes to the “plan” are common, so it’s important to be flexible throughout the process in order to get the very best outcome for your home!

 

Stay involved – but not too much

Knowing what’s going on with your home renovations Vancouver is important – it gives you peace of mind, and helps you stay connected with the remodelling process.

But keep in mind that being too involved in your renovation isn’t always a good thing! Often, it’s best to let the professionals handle the majority of the job, and be available to make decisions when they arise, to keep the work moving ahead in a timely way.