When making a residential move, many homebuyers compromise on selecting their house, intending to make changes to their new place. Sometimes the changes are minor, and they are much more involved in others. For example, if you’re buying an existing home, you might have plans to fix it up.
There are reasons to do it now and others to wait until after you move in. Sometimes, it’s hard to know if you should begin immediately or wait.
If you want to make some upgrades for your new home, consider the following things.
Time Before Moving
It’s easy to imagine remodeling projects before you move. However, making sure you can complete them is a different matter.
Evaluate the time that you have remaining before your move-in date and determine if that’s enough time for the project. If you’re hiring a contractor, you’ll need to check their availability as well.
Keep in mind that projects sometimes have delays that can last for weeks. So if you start the project, you’ll need to plan what to do if it isn’t done by the time you move.
Budget
Buying a home can be expensive, especially if it’s your first home. Planning remodeling projects take funds that you might not have. You’ll need to set a budget.
Some projects cost little within a limited budget and may not be too difficult to DIY. For example, putting in a few garden beds or painting the interior shouldn’t break the bank.
For larger projects, get estimates from contractors. Be wary of choosing the cheapest one. You might compromise on quality if you pick the lowest bid.
Complexity
Home remodeling is a broad category. It covers projects that take a day and projects that take months. Be sure that you understand the complexity of the one you’re planning.
Complicated projects cost more, but they also take more time. You might not be able to balance moving responsibilities while keeping track of the remodel.
The good news is that it’s relatively easy to compromise. For example, instead of completely redoing a room, you might replace the flooring and windows and paint the walls.
Inconvenience
Of course, there are many reasons to remodel before you move, and inconvenience is a big part. Once you unpack, it’s so much harder to move everything around.
It’s essential to consider the inconvenience of some projects, like remodeling the kitchen or the main bathroom. A whole house remodel usually requires homeowners to relocate temporarily.
You can stay in your home while you remodel it, but you should make a plan to manage those inconveniences. For example, eating more takeout or setting a shower schedule might be a simple solution.
Experience
Many remodeling experts recommend that people move into a home before they decide to remodel it. That way, you get more experience with the space.
Specific projects are easy to complete ahead of time because they don’t take as much planning. For example, if the flooring is old or worn, you can choose to replace it without feeling like you have to live with it first.
Other projects may take more familiarity. For instance, a complete overhaul of the kitchen may require you to understand what works and what doesn’t in the existing one. After having it for a while, you’ll do a better job with that.
Moving Made Easy
Remodeling a home is an integral part of moving for many people. With these tips, you’ll know what to do. To learn more about your moving options, contact us today.