How to Plan for a Remodeling Project

Categories: How To

Posted by: Beyond Self Storage on Friday, July 5, 2019

Create the Blueprint

Creating a blueprint for a remodeling job ensures that you are prepared and organized for the entire process. We have all encountered projects in the past that have not been properly organized. This situation usually results in either home improvement disasters or one of those “never-ending projects”.

Setting key objectives for your remodeling project will keep you focused, organized, and accountable. Decide whether this will be a DIY project or will you hire a contractor. The former can be a more cost-effective option but can leave you stuck indoors and frustrated, and let’s face it, brunching with the girls and golfing with the guys will always sound better.

Hiring a contractor is the more expensive route, but entails less work on your end (albeit less sense of personal accomplishment, perhaps) and can be a more efficient process.

Here is an example of a blueprint to follow before undertaking your next remodeling project:

Consider what is being remodeled Is the kitchen being remodeled? The bathroom? Or is it your unfinished basement with concrete floors and chaotic clutter of storage boxes? It is important to lay the foundation for your remodeling project. (See what we did there? Basement humor..)

Brainstorm the specific renovations that need to be made. It is important to think about what exactly will be remodeled in the project. For example, if the kitchen is being remodeled, some of the changes to consider are upgrading the cabinetry vs. painting the cabinets, what color and brand of appliances, or custom counter tops you keep encountering at the Home Depot (Get it? enCOUNTERing?!).

Evaluate the proposed changes. After brainstorming the changes that are being considered in the remodeling project, it is time to evaluate. A great tool to use here is a weighted criteria matrix, which is a decision-making tool that will help you organize and prioritize every element of your project– and the only exercise we recommend pairing with pizza…yum! Check out this example for a remodeling project:

In a weighted criteria matrix, you weigh your criteria on a scale of 1-5 and score the criteria based on importance and relevance to the decision. For example, Jim and his wife discussed that the really like the price and the look of the counter top they want, so they rated both a 4 out of 5. After scoring your criteria for each decision, add them up to get a final score. In this graphic, the counter tops and cabinets proved to be more important than upgrading appliances.

Select the change(s). After creating and evaluating your weighted table, it is time to make a decision. In this example, Jim and his wife have decided to remodel their kitchen and make renovations to their kitchen cabinetry and their kitchen counter tops based off the results of their weighted criteria matrix.

Make a Budget

We have all heard remodeling horror stories of projects that initially started under budget and turned into budget busters. Don’t let yourself fall into this category! Whether it is a DIY project or contracted work, you need to set boundaries to keep your household in good financial standing once the project is over.

This is why it is important to start saving money 3-6 months in advance prior to the start of remodeling your home. To learn about more money saving strategies to implement for the remodeling project visit American Home Shield for more info. Some good tips to follow when creating a budget include:

Categorize your expenses to keep your spending organized
Keep track of your inventory and itemize your costs
set a contingency fund for those unexpected items A good practice is to ALWAYS keep your receipts to double-check your expenses to keep you on track

There are ways to save additional money during the remodeling process. Paying in cash, reusing materials, and waiting for sales on big purchase items are some of the great tactics that will make sure the remodeling project doesn’t break the bank. Check out A Beautiful Mess more ways to save during your next remodeling project.

If you are buying supplies on your own, taking the time to do research online to find discounts and coupons that help save a few extra dollars. One website we look at for coupons and discounts is https://www.retailmenot.com/

Set a Timeline

Setting a timeline is one of the most important tasks to complete before you start remodeling your home. Homeowners want their remodeling project to be completed as quickly and efficiently as possible. Setting a simple timeline with labeled tasks and deadlines will keep your remodeling project on track.

Your timeline should also plan for the bumps along the road. There is always going to be something along the way that doesn’t go as planned. A PLAN FOR THE UNEXPECTED. While we don’t have a recommendation on how much additional time to allow, you can simply ask a local contractor how much additional time they allow for..then add another 20% – have you seen a contractor end on time?

Now you have a plan for your remodel, but you are still missing a very vital component.

How will you store your belongings during the remodel?

After following the step-by-step remodeling procedure of Setting a Blueprint, Developing a Budget, and Developing a Timeline there is still one important piece missing to the puzzle: STORAGE! Prior to your remodeling process, take time to consider the correct type of storage for your belongs during the duration of the project. There are several options to consider when thinking about storage, but the main ones that homeowners consider are portable storage and self-storage options.

Portable vs. Self Storage

What is portable storage?

Portable storage is a popular option that homeowners consider. They are large metal units that can be delivered to the house and homeowners load and unload their storage at their own pace and on their own schedule. This has become a popular option because of how convenient it is.

Beware: many residential properties and HOAs prohibit homeowners from having the portable storage on the property or street. It is also important to note that portable storage units are not climate-controlled. This can be a very important factor when having to store artwork, antiques and memorabilia, and furniture.

What is self-storage?

A self-storage is a top option for homeowners undertaking a stressful remodeling project. Beyond Self Storage units provide many unique features for customers: 24/7 DVR cameras for security, climate-control in ALL storage units, discounted packing supplies, indoor bay access for easy loading and unloading of storage, and much more. A climate-controlled storage unit is would be a great place for storing valuables items, wood furniture, and other sensitive items. They are energy efficient and provide protection for storage in humid environments.

A Remodeling Project

It is important to take time and plan out the entirety of the remodel of your home. Implementing the three-step process of Creating a Blueprint, Developing a Budget, and Setting a Timeline will ensure that the project will be smooth sailing.

Beyond Self Storage

Are you looking for storage space near you? Beyond Self Storage has storage facilities in Pittsburgh, PA at Mt. Lebanon, Robinson and Ross, In Detroit at Sterling Heights, Rochester Hills, Commerce Township, MI, and Macomb. In St. Louis, MO at Chesterfield and McCausland, In Minneapolis at Eagan, Minneapolis and, Maplewood. And in Kansas City at Lenexa.

Our storage facilities offer popular storage unit sizes including the 5×5, 5×10 and 10×10 storage units, ideal for any sized storage needs and ALL units are climate-controlled. Reserve your storage unit online at BeyondSelfStorage.com. Beyond Self Storage will exceed your expectations and we are here to help with the remodeling your home!