6 Things to Consider While Renovating Your Home This New Year

Posted on: Jan 3, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

6 Things to Consider While Renovating Your Home This New Year

The holiday season is just around the corner, and it is usually a good time for relaxing and completing pending items off your list. If you have been putting home renovation aside for a while, now might be the best opportunity to bring it to fruition. Renovating your house can not only add a new dimension to the house, improve the usability and comfort levels but also increase the value of the house. A little time spent on planning will take you a long way in completing your home renovation ideas.

Finishing the project during the holiday season will ensure that you walk into the new year with a better version of the house and yourself. Here are a few things to keep in mind while you are planning to renovate your home this holiday season.

Define Your Renovation

The first and foremost decision that you need to make during a renovation project is the style that you want to follow. After finalising the style, it is important to stick to it, to avoid any major deviations from the plan and even the budget for that matter. If you have always wanted a timeless look or a more contemporary look for the house, now is the time to exercise those. Sticking to the style is important for the entire project.

Budget

Before you even realise it, a renovation project can put a serious dent in your finances. With a plethora of options, designs and elements to choose from, it can be quite difficult to limit your expenses. To avoid any such financial burden, it is important to determine the amount of money that you are willing to spend on the renovation project.

Sticking to the budget can be a bit painful at times when you must make tough decisions, but it will help you save money. You can use a plain sheet to define your budget and track your expenses or use a lot of online tools to track your expenses. If you do not already have one, you can set aside a budget for home insurance, as it will help you make considerable savings.

Defining Timelines

Another important aspect of home renovation is deciding on the timelines, which can range anywhere between a few days to a few weeks. Depending on the type of renovation that you are opting for, it is crucial to allow adequate time for it. If you are planning for a few minor changes, you might not need a lot of time for the renovation. On the other hand, larger undertakings can take a considerable amount of time.

Providing ample time to yourself or even the contractor that you are working with, is essential for a successful renovation project. Ensure that none of the steps are hurried and that you account for breaks and holidays to not make it burdensome.

Availability of Space

During the planning phase of your home renovation project, understanding the availability of space is of paramount importance. If you have home renovation ideas in your mind, there must be adequate space to execute them. For example, if you are planning for integrated wardrobes in your house, understanding the dimensions and the amount of space that will be left after the renovation is important. Taking the help of a professional will serve you better during the planning phase.

Similarly, you will need to find out whether your renovations need any additional permission from the respective authorities. If there is a need for any such permissions, you must apply for them in advance to avoid any unwanted delays.

Materials to be Used

A core part of any renovation project is the materials being used. If you are not careful with the materials, you might end up either buying way too much or end up buying less and continue buying till your needs are met. If a contractor is involved in the process, make sure that you are clear with the instructions. This will allow them to pick the right materials and focus on the renovations.

For DIY renovation projects, it is critical that you understand the materials that you are working with. For example, if you are planning to work with wood, make sure that you are aware of the different tools needed and the curing process if any. On the other hand, if you are working with more contemporary materials such as plastic or metal, it might need less effort on your end. For home renovation ideas, taking the help of professionals can make the process easier, since they can provide accurate estimates of the materials needed for the project.

Contracting the Renovation

It is quite possible that you would want to offer a contract to a professional to complete the home renovation project. Offering contracts would ensure that you do not have to deal with all the nitty gritty such as procuring materials, tweaking them, fixing them, and putting them in place. Working with a contractor is also ideal if you do not want to spend a lot of time on the renovation.

Before you sign a contract with someone, it is important to get references for their previous work and even reviews. If any friend or relative has utilised their services, you can get a better understanding of what to expect. In such cases, opting for home insurance can be a sensible option. The plan will keep your home and its contents secure in the unfortunate event of any accidents.

You can even take professional services for difficult and risky renovations. For example, electrical work during a renovation can be quite tricky and any mistake can prove to be quite costly later. Hiring professionals for electrical wiring can not only save you from the hassles but also ensure good quality of work. Depending on your expertise and budget, you can either opt for a DIY project or completely take the help of a contractor or combine both approaches.

Irrespective of which approach you choose, a home owner’s insurance is a must if you do not already have one. Apart from protecting the structure of the house, you can also opt for coverage for the contents of the house. It is ideal for expensive furniture, electronics, appliances and more. You will either be able to replace the item or receive reimbursements for the same. and not to forget, your house will receive protection against natural calamities.

Conclusion

Starting a home renovation project during this festive season can be quite fascinating. Renovations not only improve the functioning or aesthetics of the house but can also alleviate the mood. Above are a few things that you ought to keep in mind to make the project as seamless as possible. Opting for a home insurance policy will offer peace of mind and help you save money in the long run.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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