You may be asking yourself, “What should I be thinking about as I plan my remodel?” Often, the idea of construction may be foreign to you as a homeowner, and you may not know exactly what it will entail. Homeowners have the tendency to rush into projects without thoroughly considering all the options, and how the project will affect their day-to-day lives. If you are reading this, you may be the researching type that wants to execute their home renovation flawlessly. The truth is that not every aspect will go perfectly, but there is hope that it can be an enjoyable process. In order to achieve that, here are three key components that you must ponder before remodeling.

Timing

Remodel projects or really any type of construction projects often run into hiccups. Circumstantial items like change orders, material back-orders, shipping issues, and scheduling conflicts can delay a project. The larger the project, the more significantly it can be deferred. Additionally, many contractors have busy calendars, so they may be scheduling out anywhere from two weeks to three months. If you want your home renovated by Thanksgiving, often you need to start reaching out to contractors by the beginning of summer. If you delay, you may not get to use your top pick in a contractor, or an unforeseen delay may push back the project right into a holiday. If you are set on a certain timeframe, plan way in advance and it will undoubtedly pay off.

Finances

Everyone’s least favorite point of conversation, finances. In any project or investment, finances need to not only be looked at, but be focused on. As a homeowner, you need to find whether the renovation to your home will pay off in the end. Whether that be through increased equity or through your own dreams being satisfied. In addition, it is imperative to reflect upon whether there is enough money in the budget to make payments on time and keep construction rolling. Many contractors will stop progress if payments are not paid in a timely manner. You do not want to be stuck in limbo on a half-renovated house for days, weeks, or months. Ensure that you can maintain the progress payment schedule before starting the project. If not, simply wait until you have the budget to move forward without any setbacks.

Living Conditions

Another crucial factor is going to be living conditions. Simply put, construction is messy, dusty, and gritty. For whole-home remodels, this is months of contractors coming in and out of your home, loud clamors, potentially hazardous debris, and unusable space. Depending on the project, truly contemplate whether it is worth sticking it out or moving to a different space for a short time. If you value having a stress-free lifestyle, take a closer look at what living through a renovation truly looks like.

At the end of the day, make sure that you are comfortable with the choices you make about your home. There may be research involved, but it will be well worth it. Make sure you bring it up with your contractor as well, and communicate your expectations for the project so that no unnecessary conflict arises.