Six things you need to know before you start renovating your home

You know you want to renovate your home, but you don't know where to start, right? Well, you're not alone. Many homeowners dive into the renovation process to see what to expect. It is only after suffering from the mishaps of renovation that they regret not having a plan.  There may be unforeseen expenses and issues that complicate the process. So before you go on the twists and turns of the renovation path, here are six things you need to know before you start remodeling.

If you're actually renovating your Home Remodeling before moving in and living away, consider investing in a key lockbox. If there are large projects on your checklist that you can't do yourself, you'll need to hire a contractor. Remember that contractors start early, so unless you want to drive into rush-hour traffic in the morning to let workers in, plan to attach a lockbox or install smart door hardware that lets you let guests in. Allows to provide entry with a code.

Your renovation will take longer than expected, so be prepared and build accommodations to avoid disappointment. For example, you might think that it would be quick to replace a whirlpool tub and old double vanity in a bathroom. It can take a few hours to remove old fixtures, but finding a new tub and vanity you love can take several weeks. It may be another two weeks before they are delivered. Expecting to use your new hall bath within a week can turn into a waiting period of six weeks.

There are secrets in all homes, in the walls, under the floors and elsewhere. A renovation can bring them to light. Like when your contractor tells you that your floors are uneven because of a shifted center joist when measuring for your highly anticipated new hardwood floors. Now you need to deal with the home inspector who missed it and get the floor joists repaired before new material goes under.

It pays to interview multiple contractors and compare bids. Let's say you want your hot water heater to be removed from an upstairs closet and a new one installed in the garage. The first plumber you asked says he plans to charge $6,000 and reroute the hot water lines. To do this cut the ceiling of your living room tray. Another plumber said it was too much work. Plumber three plans to finish the job in one day and charge $3,285, with no need to reroute the water line. 

Homeowners often want to know the order in which they should renovate a home. It is best to start with the kitchen remodeling as these remodels add major value to your home. Realtors estimate that homeowners can recover 59% of the cost of a complete kitchen renovation if they sell their home, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry's 2019 Remodeling Impact Report. Plus, if you have an old kitchen, upgrading a worn out space will allow you to enjoy the space better while you're at home.

You'll want to narrow down your design preferences before meeting with an interior designer. Find inspiration by browsing home decorating magazines, interior decorating websites, and design shows. Getting a handle on a design direction will help you avoid talking into a designer's personal ideas, which may detract from your vision for the renovation.