It is necessary to always plan when decorating, renovating, or building a house, whether large or small. Making plans could cause many questions to come up, and the answers to one could affect the answers to the others.
Defined Goals
The goals of your decorating project must be defined if you want to be successful with the project, and there are certain questions you need to ask. Some of them are:
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Why is this project being undertaken?
One reason could be that the look of the room no longer works for you, or that you just don’t like it; the answer could even be both. What about the marriage, an empty nest, children, a parent coming to live with you, the need or desire to work from your home, or a change in your health?
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Does the room need a complete redo or a cosmetic update?
If a cosmetic update is needed, how extensive should it be? Do you want to replace all your furnishings or simply hate the wall covering? You can work within your existing walls or do structural changes need to be made? Will you need a zoning variance or building permits?
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Is your future tied to this house?
Is the house an investment? What are the economic ramifications of your home improvement or decorating project? Is it your plan to live there for many years? Can your investment be recouped if you decide to sell? Will the value of the house or its neighborhood be increased through the project? Is it your intention to fix up the home for it to be sold after some months or years? If you intend to live in the home for many years, it is necessary to consider the feelings of other people about the aesthetic choices made by you; anything can make the potential buyer interested in making a purchase.
When decorating the home, the “how” has a direct relationship with the “what” and “why”. It is necessary to consider your goals to have all you desire.
- Can you do a do-it-yourself designing or planning, or would you like an expert to get it done for you? Do you envision needing furnishings or materials that are only available through contractors or designers?
- Will the work be done yourself? Do you have the necessary skills, tools, and time? If it is an extensive job, can you coordinate the subcontractors for the parts that cannot be done by you?
- Where are you going to live while the construction is going on? Can you live with the mess or inconvenience? These are important questions if you are remodeling a bathroom or kitchen, and the costs will be influenced by the answers – the expenses should be calculated if you are moving into a rental or eating out for some weeks.
Making a Budget
The cost is the first thing that is thought about. The total cost of the project has to be determined and before doing that, it is still necessary to have an idea of your goals and game plan, as the cost of the needed items cannot be determined if one does not know what he wants.
- In making the budget, the prices of the likely-needed items need to be determined. You then need to visit home centers, showrooms, the lumberyard, or any vendor who is likely to have them.
- All the small details should be included – including hardware and bathroom fixture controls.
- Hidden components like nails, electrical wire, and glue should be included.
- The things needed should be calculated.
- Discuss with the professionals for tips on the costs of the project.
Kitchens and baths are always the most expensive when renovating because of the mechanics, fixtures, and appliances involved. You should be aware that your budget will be affected by structural changes – whatever the rooms.
Your goals will always be revised to get the type of home you want. Therefore, it is necessary to get the materials of the highest quality, especially if it would be difficult to make major changes later.
