Are you planning a home remodel and wondering how to get started?
If yes, we've just put together a project planning checklist that will help you to get organized, especially if your remodel project includes floors, walls and even countertops.
To help you successfully complete this home remodel checklist, we recommend that you follow these five steps.
Janine & Michael's FIVE Steps to Completing a Successful Home Remodel Checklist
Step 1 - Gather Home Remodel and Interior Design Ideas
Identify the scope of your home remodel project. Will it be a full demolition and renovation or more of a refresh of an existing space?
Do you have a specific look or function in mind for the space?
Research ideas, colors, materials, products, and textures. Take pictures of looks you like. Browse through:
- Houzz including Floor Decor on Houzz
- Pinterest including Floor Decor on Pinterest
- Instagram including the Floor Decor Instagram account
- Installation examples on the Floor Decor Design Center website
- Products we carry
Gather those various interior design and home renovation ideas onto a Pinterest board, or create a digital notebook. You might even have a physical notebook or folder for keeping fabric samples, paint swatches and other three-dimensional items you come across that inspire you.
This is the dream phase of your home remodeling project.
Step 2 - Identify Your Home Remodeling Budget
Next, you need to identify a budget for your project. Budget includes both time and money.
- If you have very little money and a great deal of time, you may prefer to consider doing the project yourself.
- If you have very little time and a great deal of money, you may prefer to have your project professionally designed and installed.
During this phase, you'll want to consider questions such as how long you intend to remain in your home, and whether the project will affect the value of your home in addition to adding to your own enjoyment of your home.
It's important to be realistic especially if you are considering a sizable project.
This is the reality phase of the project.
To help you with this, consider reading these articles in our buying guide series:
>> Back Splash Tile Cost Guide
>> Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Cost and Installation Price
>> How Much Do New Hardwood Floors Cost?
>> How Much Does Waterproof Flooring Cost?
>> How Much Does New Carpet Cost?
Step 3 - Understand What Your Flooring Design Options Include
Once you've identified a budget and have an idea of what your dream design looks like, it's time to go explore what your flooring, wall tile, countertop and other options include and visit your local flooring resource.
If you're in the Orange or Middletown, Connecticut area, be sure to visit Floor Decor Design Center.
You'll not only be able to consider what options are available in your price range to achieve the look you have in mind (e.g., hardwood floors vs. wood look tile vs. luxury vinyl planks or COREtec vs. laminate), but you can also discuss design services, installation options, and even financing.
Floor Decor can even help you with kitchen and bath remodeling services.
To prepare for your visit, download the Floor Decor Design Center Project Planning Checklist. Although not necessary, have a rough idea of the dimensions of the space you plan to remodel to help you prioritize selections.
This is the phase where dream and reality come into alignment. This is when it's important to have Realistic Expectations when Buying New Flooring.
Step 4 - Finalize Your Product and Project Decisions
Once you've identified the right products to achieve your dream look within your budget, you'll want to confirm the specific details of the home remodel installation. Most critical is ensuring an expert measure of your space. This in turn allows you to finalize your decisions based on an informed final estimate of the project costs.
At that point, you can get nitty-gritty in terms of:
- Project timing
- Product delivery and acclimation (if necessary)
- Extra steps required (e.g., plumbing or electrical work, permits if a remodel, whether furniture needs to be moved...)
- Can you remain in the space during installation or not.
- How soon you can walk or work on your surfaces.
This is the practical phase of the project.
Step 5 - Understand How to Care for Your New Floors, Walls and Countertops
Once the installation is done, and before you get too comfortable enjoying your new home remodel, be sure to understand how you need to care for your new surfaces. For example,
- Some product warranties require regular cleaning. Understand those requirements.
- Some products may need regular sealing to prevent staining.
All flooring surfaces benefit from having door mats at entrances to capture dirt and debris from the outside.
Generally, the more you understand what's involved, the less you have to worry and the more you can relax in the dream-come-true space you've just created.
This is the maintenance phase or happily-ever-after phase of the project.
>> See Top Flooring Maintenance Tips for Carpet and Hardwood
Have You Successfully Completed Your Home Remodel Checklist?
When you are ready, we invite you to visit Floor Decor Design Center in Orange or in Middletown, Connecticut at the Galleria Design Center to speak with us.
Bring your completed Project Planning Checklist and we'll help you find the right options for your home remodel.
Or, contact us with your questions.
We look forward to helping you.
Thanks for reading.
Janine & Michael
Note: We originally published this article on 05/30/2018 and have updated it.
