They key to any successful project lies in the preparation and the planning. So before you get your hands dirty and bring out the hammer and chisel, come up with a plan.
Preparation Is Key
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What is the goal?
To save yourself and everyone around you stress and headache, try and make all of the decisions before the work begins. Know what you want before you start breaking down walls. This does not only apply to the bigger questions like which rooms will be renovated. Even the smallest of things should be considered beforehand, such as which paint colour, door knobs, and faucets to choose.
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Have a Plan B
No matter how well you plan ahead, there is always the possibility that something can go wrong. So find out what to expect during the renovation and have a backup plan ready. Good builders and contractors know what kind of problems could possibly come up on the job and how to deal with them without causing delays.
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What is your budget?
The last thing you want to happen is to end up with no money mid-way through your project and realise you can’t continue with the renovation. So before you start, draw up a budget detailing what kind of costs you can expect.
How expensive are the materials? Find out whether there are more affordable products you can opt for. While a crystal door handle might look the part on the Downton Abbey set, it might be wiser for you to think about cheap door furniture made out of stainless steel or glass instead of crystal.
What you need for a renovation
Renovating any room in your home requires a lot of thought and planning. There are so many elements of a renovation you need to consider to make sure it goes the way you want it to. You can start your renovation by creating a list of jobs that need to be completed. From gutting the room to start work to installing the new features and then adding the final touches, a plan will make this process a lot easier. Before you start your renovation, you need to make sure the area you’re changing is completely clear so that work can be completed efficiently. The last thing you want to be doing is tripping over old pieces of carpet or wood when you’re trying to paint your walls. If you’re completing a large renovation, it might be a good idea to add a skip to your list of requirements. A skip gives you the ability to throw away masses of rubbish, without having to keep making trips to the tip or filling up your general waste bins. You can get a quote here if you think a skip is suitable for your renovation. If this renovation is a DIY job, you will also need to make sure you have all of the necessary materials to complete the job, including specific tools.
Professionals vs DIY – Know When
While you might consider yourself a pro, it’s advisable to come to terms with your abilities and your limitations.
Chances are, you won’t have the answers to everything. Luckily, there are many ways to inform and educate yourself. Not sure which door furniture and bathroom accessories to go for? Be it YouTube tutorials or online DIY guides – you’re never far away from help. And for those who prefer a more personal touch in the form of customer service, most hardware stores, for instance, also offer free and expert advice on all renovation-related questions.
Once you have established what you have to do and how to do it, don’t try to do it all by yourself. Confidence and ambition are qualities that are commendable. In this instance, however, it might be wiser to pass the torch, or rather the screwdriver, on to someone who knows a bit more about plumbing and electrical jobs than you. So don’t shy away from calling in the professionals to take care of the big stuff.
Work with What You Have
Blowing up our budget is, unsurprisingly, easier said than done, and the simplest way to achieve that is by being unrealistically over-ambitious.
If you are thinking of moving your sink or your toilet, for example, stop. Introducing a new plumbing system into your home will almost always be the number one reason for your budget, your stress level, and your blood pressure to skyrocket. Renovate, don’t rebuild!
Resist the Temptation
There is no doubt that you want your home to look all nice and flashy after a tedious and expensive renovation. After all, you spent so much money on new fixtures, fittings, and furniture, you naturally want the end-result to look the part. 
The one way you should not go about achieving this, though, is by going for hip and trendy furniture options. Stay away from impulse purchases and buying the “coolest” items. Rather, opt for fixtures that will stand the test of time. After all, the last thing you want is to wake up in a month or two, look at your house, and feel like Justin Timberlake when he sees his hairstyle choices from his NSYNC days. #SayNoToBuyersRemorse
Note: This is a collaberative post, pic credit Pixabay
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