It’s a guilty pleasure around the world to look at DIY projects that have gone horribly awry. There’s an entire Netflix show dedicated to watching people make terrible versions of supposedly ‘easy’ baking projects (it’s horrifically entertaining, by the way). People get a hearty chuckle out of seeing others struggle with something that they think ‘oh, come on, I could do that way better’ – but the truth is that that isn’t always the case. When it comes to a home remodeling project, even if you’re hiring an expert to come in and handle the down and dirty parts, you need to take certain precautions to prepare.
Before you even go shopping for new cabinets or an accent wall paint color, sit down and get a game plan ready. This means coming up with a budget first. We see too many people who want the world for $20 worth of paint. Trying to cheap out projects can lead to massive disasters which cost more to repair than it would have to just do the job correctly the first time. Any major home remodeling project will require you to have money set aside in advance for it. Plan out how much you’re able to afford, and then piece it out based on what project you’ll be working on. If you’re going to be painting a wall, don’t think about just the cost for the paint; you need to factor in the cost for primer, painter’s tape, brushes or rollers, and even sheets to ensure your furniture is well protected. Having everything laid out in advance will save you time and money in the long run.
Once you’ve got your budget and plan set for what materials you need, you get to do the fun part of preparing for a home project: shopping for materials! Who doesn’t love wandering the IKEA displays and choosing their dream kitchen? Now is the time to pick out what works within the scope of your budget and your vision for your home project. Take your time in this step – if you’re going to do a large remodeling project (such as redoing your kitchen), you want to be 100% certain you’ll be happy with your choices in the long term. If you find yourself longing for something that’s out of your budget, there’s no shame in waiting until the funds become available. We believe that it’s always better to be completely happy with a project than completely happy with a project’s timeline.
Now you’ve got the supplies, it’s time to crack down. Whatever your home remodeling project is, there are always mitigating factors in the preparation for it. Do you have pets? Make sure they’re not near any fresh paint. Kids? Careful what you decide to demo, as loose nails could mean a hospital trip. Any furniture in the home that’s near a remodeling project should be properly covered during the preparation stage to avoid damage. After everything’s been covered, partitioned, and closed off, you can safely begin your home remodeling project.
