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Get that luxury bathroom you always dreamed about by going through our step-by-step house remodelling tips.

In her Beginners Guide to Managing a Remodel, Houzz contributor Jennifer Chong suggests that house remodelling is the same as remodelling a business, in that it takes smart planning and organization. However, that doesn’t mean you have to think about it for years to come. If you’re ready to get started, use these 4 tips to help improve the aesthetic, usefulness, and value of your home, without breaking into a cold sweat in the middle of the night.

1. Make a List and Check it Twice

If looking around your home has been leaving a rather lacklustre taste in your mouth, then why not start by making a list of the top 10 home improvement projects you’d like to see done? This can be as broad as repairing some of the chips in the walls to a full bathroom renovation. Then narrow down your list by considering your budget, timeline and what the most important projects are to your family. On that note, it’s also important to have your family involved in the decision making, so sit down with everyone and go through the list together.

2. Develop a Plan

While you may decide that a leaky roof takes precedence over a garage renovation, devising a plan will help you get organized and ready when it comes time to cross more projects off your list. Write down a clear description of what you would like done —look at design magazines and visit show homes to get some ideas— as well as your specific goals and what the priorities are for your renovation project. Once you have a plan in place, then you can start looking into the costs.

3. Budget Down to the Basics

Once you’ve planned out your remodelling project, it’s important to make a detailed budget. Let us help you break it down with some questions to consider when devising a budget for a bathroom renovation:

• Look at what you already have: Is the bathtub still in good shape? Can anything, such as the flooring or faucets, be reused or repurposed?
• Can anything be rearranged to save space instead of adding to the space?
• Can any of the work be done in stages? This can help not only with labour costs, but also be an imperative decision if you only have one bathroom in your home.
• Consider your capital versus your operating costs: Are there any items that will save you money down the road? This can include water-conserving faucets, heating alternatives that conserve energy such as under-floor radiant heating instead of baseboards, and power saving light fixtures.

4. Find a Contractor

Once you have a clear idea of the plan and budget for your remodelling project, it’s important to find a general contractor who will bring that vision to life within your budget and timeframe. This is where it’s important to do your homework. If you’re looking at having kitchen renovations done, ask for:

• Referrals from others that you know who have worked with contractors on similar projects. Word from a trusted source is one of the best ways to choose from home renovation companies operating in your area.
• Examples of past projects and testimonials from past clients.
• Credentials such as if they are members of any building association or the Better Business Bureau.
• If they provide free estimations and in-person consultations.
• If they are insured.
• If they can provide everything in writing.

Find out why it’s a good time for house renovations in Kelowna by reading our latest press release: Kelowna Homeowners Consider Home Renovations Over Selling Due to Tax.

With more than 25 years of general contracting experience, Rafter 4K Contracting has extensive knowledge in both interior and exterior renovations. Contact us for a free estimate and consultation on any or all of your renovation, remodelling or construction project from bathroom, kitchen, garage, living space, basement and bedroom renovations to home additions, accessory buildings and more.

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