Planning a Whole House Remodel in Kansas City Without Losing Your Sanity
A whole home remodel can be good for a lot of things. It gives you the ability to update your outdated home, rearrange living spaces, and achieve a new aesthetic that better suits your taste and the times.
While there are countless benefits to remodeling your entire home, and it certainly pays off (literally) in the long run, it’s no secret that a whole home remodel can be a big undertaking.
- Planning.
- Budgeting.
- Managing remodeling contractors.
- Choosing materials.
- Considering layouts.
- Tracking timelines.
- Not to mention the fact that you’re probably living in the construction zone that is your house…
All these things and more need to be taken into account when planning a whole home remodel project, and let’s be honest – ain’t nobody got time for that.
The best thing you can do to take some of the stress out of a project of this size is to plan ahead. As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “By failing to prepare, you’re preparing to fail.” Below, we share three easy tips to help you prep for your whole home remodeling project without pulling your hair out.
Get a Clear Vision
Having a good idea of what you want going into a project is always a good first step. Looking at home design trends online and in magazines can be a great way to start getting some ideas of what you like and don’t like in a home’s look. (And yes, we’re giving you permission to hop onto Pinterest to start grabbing inspiration.)
When thinking of a Kansas City remodel, don’t forget to consider functionality as well. Walk around your house to identify areas you want to change, and what you’d do to make them work better for your lifestyle. Do you wish your living, dining, and kitchen areas were more open? Perhaps you’ve found yourself wishing for more kitchen cabinets, or an island to give you more countertop space. If you and your spouse are constantly bumping elbows in the bathroom, then a double vanity in the master bathroom might make your lives easier.
Think of everything and write it down, then prioritize which updates will make the biggest impact on your long-term living goals, as well as your budget.
This brings us to our next tip…
Make a Plan to Fund Your Remodeling Project
Now that you’ve had your fun imagining your dream home, it’s time to get serious about the logistics of your project. While we’d all love to have unlimited funds to put into remodeling a house, the reality is that most of us have a budget to be mindful of.
As you can imagine, home remodeling projects can get pricey pretty quickly. However, there are many options available to you when it comes to funding. You could go the obvious route and save, save, save – this gives you the most flexibility, since you won’t be tied to interest rates or monthly payments, but it also requires time and diligence to build a big enough fund for your project.
One of the easiest ways to get some extra cash to pay for your remodel is through a home equity loan. This allows you to take a loan out in an amount matching the equity you have in your home. For example, if you have $50,000 in equity in your house, then in most instances you can get a home equity loan for $50,000 to make updates. It’s usually a win-win, since remodeling your home also increases the long-term value of your house.
However you choose to fund your whole home remodel, you’ll want to make sure you pick a total budget you’re comfortable with. A beautifully remodeled home means nothing if you’ll be stressed about money for years to come.
Choose the Right Kansas City Remodelers
Last but not least, all your planning is for naught if you hire remodeling contractors who don’t know what they’re doing. Some things to take into consideration when choosing a contractor for home remodeling in Kansas City are:
- Their affordability – Do they fit within your planned budget?
- Their timeline – Not all contractors will be able to get to your project right away, and some will be able to complete the project more quickly than others.
- Their expertise – How many years have they been in business?
- Their crew – Do they have a dedicated team, or do they utilize third-party laborers?
- Their quality – Can they show you photos of other large projects that are similar to yours?
- Their reputation – Do they have positive client testimonials to share?
At the end of the day, you should hire someone you feel good about. There’s nothing like adding the stress of not trusting your remodeling expert on top of an already stressful process.
Here at NextGen Remodeling, our in-house crew is dedicated to bringing your dreams to life. As licensed general contractors, we’re prepared to take on any remodeling project you come up with. Our management team has over 20 years of combined experience in interior and exterior remodeling projects, and we have a commitment to customer satisfaction unlike any other Kansas City remodeling company.
Get an estimate on your remodeling project and schedule a consultation with us – we’re ready to dream with you!