[:en]In these times of
uncertainty, managing plans for a halted home renovation, or for
one you have in place for the future can be an
overwhelming task. If youve already picked out areas of your home
you know you want to remodel, the next step is navigating
how to manage these plans in a crisis. From large upgrades
like new hardwood flooring, to smaller scale choices such as
adding a kitchen backsplash, every type of renovation has
a different time commitment. As you consider your best plan of
action in the coming months, it’s crucial to do your
research and expect the unexpected. We hope the tips below help you
tackle your renovation plans during this chaotic
time.
Want vs. Need
For some homeowners, renovation plans might be determined based
on necessary fixes that need to be made to their home, whereas for
others many changes fall under the category of preference. Now more
than ever, it’s important to determine the difference between the
remodel you might want as opposed to the remodel you need, in order
to
make the right renovation decisions. Whether you
already have a contractor in place, or you still need to call
around, arrange a video conference with a professional to discuss
what your current options are at this time.
As you spend more time inside your home, consider the spaces you
find yourself in most often, anddiscuss with a contractor which
project will be the most manageable based on what you have to work
with. While youll likely have to hold off at this point on any
major upgrades to the central areas of your home, its still helpful
to get a second opinion on what is manageable, and what the timing
of such a task might look like.
Timing
Perhaps the most uncertain part of managing renovation plans in
a crisis is timing. If youve been in the midst of a remodel, your
plans have most likely been disrupted, and if you have one
scheduled for the near future, your plans will likely be pushed
back. Its always good housekeeping to discuss the timing of your
home projects as openly and as frequently as possible with a local
professional. While they may not be able to give you an exact
timeline, they can still give you an approximate estimate on how
long you may have toanticipate waiting before continuing on with
your project plans. As you determine when to push back your plans,
be sure to
choose a time to remodel that works best for
the calendar ahead. Planning to gut a part of your home during a
busy season, let alone a season of crisis, will only add more
stress to your life. Instead of immediately following through with
your plans, consult with your realtor the importance of timing as a
factor.
Understandably, homeowners zero in on budgets rather than the
time required to execute a successful renovation, said
Annie Bauman, a Realtor in Needham with Gibson Sothebys
International Realty. While It looks painless on TV,
undergoing home renovations is like a part time job. One of my
clients once hired an engineer and an architect to draw up plans to
replace their sweet but tiny antique home. In the end, they sold
the plans along with their home and moved down the road to a
larger, renovated property. Reason? Not budget. This family had a
daughter headed to college. They didnt want to be consumed with
this project for a year and miss precious family time with their
kids.
Cost
Remodeling within your financial means is a must, which means
theres no shame in putting your plans on hold if youre currently
experiencing some financial hardship. Though there are many easy
ways to fund home improvement projects, its crucial not to get
carried away with your plans, especially right now. Ask your
contractor or other family members and friends who have experience
with renovations first hand what financial options they recommend.
Many homeowners explore private loan options or even use credit
cards to fund their projects depending on how large the renovation
is. You might want to look into
how home equity loans work as well, since many
homeowners find that taking out such a loan is their best option in
the long run. Empower yourself with the right information now so
that you can stay on top of the financial commitment a renovation
requires later on.
Commitment
Lastly, consider the overall commitment the renovation youre
looking into will require. Will the remodel call for you to vacate
your home for a period of time? If this is the case, its probably
time to prioritize other home improvements, or to put off these
plans until next year. Be sure that anyone else who will be
affected by the renovation is on board and has a clear
understanding of how long the process might take. Though most
renovations end up being a positive and exciting process, these
projects can be a long commitment and should be planned with your
entire household in mind. As most, if not all, home renovations are
being placed on hold till further notice, try to make the best of a
bad situation by having a plan of action in place for the
future.
