7 tips to help your home remodeling project go as smoothly as possible in 2024

The circumstances of the past year created an opportunity for many homeowners to start or plan for remodeling projects.

It can be easy to launch into a project with optimism and confidence that it will be done quickly, but sometimes issues arise that can put the project at risk or in limbo.

Here are our top 7 tips to help your home remodeling project go as smoothly as possible in 2024:

1. While planning, remember the big picture

It can be easy to get caught up in the latest trends and what’s popular at the time of your planned renovations, so it’s important to think about the longevity of the project.

Is this something that you’re going to enjoy five, ten, or more years from now? Is this something you’re doing to quickly increase your home’s value for resale?

Is this for your or someone else’s enjoyment? These are all critically important to consider and use as a north star when planning your project.

Remember to ask yourself if your project is accomplishing your goals or someone else’s!

2. Keep your home’s future resale value in mind

If you have a unique or niche style, sometimes you may have to stick with something a little more on trend or mainstream if you plan to sell your home in the next 5 years. If selling is a known or expected possibility, plan around it and make your selections in a way that you’ll be able to enjoy them but still allow for an easy sale when the time comes. You can even research and look at some of the fast-selling or top-valued homes in your market to get an idea of what’s popular in your area. If you are in your forever home and don’t plan to move, knock yourself out with whatever makes you happiest!

3. Be prepared to spend more to do it right

While spending more money is not on the top of anyone’s priority list in home renovations, sometimes it’s necessary to get the project right.

There are some areas where bargain-hunting and price-saving measures are great and highly recommended, but when it comes to hiring contractors or any work involving structural integrity/longevity, don’t cut corners!

Make sure that if you’re hiring professionals to work on your project that they are highly reputable, fully insured, and have a track record and examples of their past success.

Spending less won’t feel as good if the job is done incorrectly and has to be fixed after the fact, and may make a project cost even more if fixes are required.

4. If using a contractor, insist on a detailed contract with budget and timeline contingencies in mind

Be prepared for things to go wrong. Houses are big, complicated things and each one has a unique set of challenges to work with when it comes to renovations.

Sometimes projects will go off without a hitch and be done in record time, but others will inevitably hit snags and require more time and budget.

Your contractor should be as good as their word, but a contract can protect you in the event that the work is taking far longer than expected or requires more materials to complete.

Having agreements in place beforehand keeps everyone on the same page, especially when the circumstances on a project change.

You should add about 10-20% in terms of both time and money to your project budget and timeline to keep your estimates conservative.

5. Balance disappointments and frustrations with some levity

Be prepared for these moments where things will get frustrating or not go as expected, and keep your calm by remembering the end goal and product! More often than not, everyone involved wants to do the right thing and deliver an excellent finished product. Some light-heartedness and levity can go a long way in managing the project to its conclusion.

6. Thoroughly research every contractor involved

Your contractor may not be the only person that works on the project! They may be specialists in a specific area, but need help to complete certain portions with the help of outside workers and sub-contractors. Don’t worry about this, just be sure to check that they are also highly reputable and fully insured. Most contractors with good reputations have lasting relationships with other respected contractors in the area and won’t work with just anyone, but it’s always important to make sure you and your home have the proper protections in place if someone else is doing the work! 

7. Make sure your desired materials and selections are available before you begin.

There’s nothing more frustrating than being ready to go on a project, contacting and hiring contractors, then realizing an important material or product is back-ordered for several months.

This can completely derail your timeline depending on what phase of a project a material or product is needed for, so make sure that your selections are in stock or that suitable backup options are available in the event you can’t go with your first choice.

If this means you have to delay your project to get it the way you want, do it! It’s better to wait a short time and get something in your home exactly the way you want it than to settle for less just to get it done faster.