There are 6 important questions to ask yourself before renovating.
It is always the little things that push a client to start a renovation, like the cabinet door breaking, wall paint peeling, or the dishwasher and oven both stop working. At that point, it becomes apparent that you have to resolve these issues but you also need to understand that there is the right way to renovate and a wrong way. This is when it is important to hire an interior designer.
In the past year, I have had several clients who wanted to renovate. Before your start tearing down walls, there are 6 important questions to ask yourself before renovating.
6 Important Questions to Ask Yourself Before Renovating Your Home
- What is not working? – Tell me what isn’t working and what propelled you to call me in. Has your family expanded? Do you entertain differently? Are there more weekend guests visiting? Have you outgrown your living spaces like the kitchen, the great room, bathrooms, etc.? Show me the area or condition that gave you the impetus to ask the question, “What is the right way to renovate?” usually the kitchen is tired or the master bath needs updating.
- How long do you think that you will be in this house? – This is a critical question because it opens up the dialogue about why you are renovating. Whether it is for impending resale or personal enjoyment or use. I ask this question because there is nothing more disconcerting than for me to suggest a total renovation when it may only need a face lift to achieve the desired short term goal. If the answer to that question is, “I want to enjoy my home more and for a long time. It becomes important for me to analyze the next answer to the question….
- What else needs to be improved to achieve my (short/long term) goals? – If it is your goal to stay in your “forever home” for as long as possible, than you may want to consider the longevity of other design elements in your home prior to the intended renovation. Are there floor plan or design element changes that need to be improved that would be advantageous for the long term goals?
- How much should my renovation cost? –Budget is important. Most home owners have a number in mind when they create their wish list. I am there to prioritize that wish list and establish the realistic nature of both the wish list and the budget. Often times, clients have not renovated for a number of years so the numbers they are using may not be realistic. It is important to have a frank discussion knowing what is important to the client and what is comfortable to add if there are other opportunities to be explored.
- Which home goals need to be prioritized? When I analyze the “before” of a project for a client, I take into account things like flow, storage, function, and traffic patterns. I examine to see if the improvements a client wants will enhance their lives and answer their needs as discussed. These are the things that make a renovation cost effective in the long term.
- How can my renovation make the most impact?– Not only is important to know what you are willing to spend but you should also know where you should focus your attention to make the most impact. It is important to analyze the foot print of the allocated rooms to see if, for instance, the hallways are at a comfortable width. Are there opportunities of “Vista” (what you see at any angle) to gain the most impact when you are walking in from the front door? What do you see from all of the openings…should walls be moved, widened or lessened? Before finalizing floor plans, I suggest looking at other options. If you draw it out it is easy to change at that point. A client should be able to see all of the options that are possible to best use the spaces involved.
These are the 6 questions to ask yourself before renovating. You must look beyond the one thing that triggers the renovation so that a fuller picture comes into view and problems are easily solved. This is the right way to renovate. The difference between good design and bad design is the cost of the redo. Be wise.
Thinking about starting a renovation project?