The Ultimate Home Renovation Guide: Top Tips for Interior Home Remodeling

Crafting Your Dream Space into Reality

Did you know that, as reported by Forbes, 93% of homeowners felt a better quality of life after finishing their renovations? From cramped kitchens to unwelcoming spaces - if your house doesn’t feel like a home, it's time to assess what needs improvement.

Start your plan by identifying a clear idea of what you want to gain by following this home renovation guide. Helping you avoid common pitfalls such as a remodeling project that ends up being more challenging than anticipated. Or worse, a contractor leaving the job and you’re stranded mid-project.

Key Considerations for Your House Renovation

• Set a goal: Improve functionality, upgrade aesthetics, or increase property value. Renovations can also enhance water and energy efficiency or strengthen your home against damage from natural hazards.
• Create a priority list: Start listing specific renovations based on home remodeling goals. Prioritize projects to tackle the most important ones first.
• Find inspiration: Browse home improvement platforms to visualize your finished product. A collection of images and ideas will help communicate your vision to contractors or designers.

How to Renovate a House Strategically

Before launching into renovating a house, ensure sufficient space for your goals. For example, if adding an additional room, there must be ample space for one or more occupants to live comfortably.



Get home renovation tips from a team that listens to what you’re trying to accomplish and has the expertise to get there. It’s important to avoid hiring a contractor who tells you what you want to hear to get the job. This almost always results in cutting corners to try to get the project to align with the budget, or if they’ve wildly over-promised, simply fail to complete the project successfully – if at all.

Typically, top home remodeling projects include bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and outdoor spaces. Renovating a house starts with utilities, tackling large projects, scheduling smaller ones, and saving finishing touches for last.

Create a Vision Board for Success

Create a preliminary design plan to communicate your vision effectively. Consider traffic patterns, furniture size and placement, colors, lighting and how you expect to use the remodeled space. 

A good place to start is on Pinterest and Instagram. Designers' websites are great for renovation ideas as seen in the before and after photos. Online tools may include color generators and color viewers, or visualizer tools. Color generators will help identify colors and color palettes by incorporating your preferences. You can choose colors from a color wheel or upload a photo, scan it, and use those colors to develop your color scheme. Making decorating the perfect room easier.

Keep in mind materials are always one of the biggest costs for any remodel. Your renovation costs can change dramatically depending on the materials you use for construction. For example, choosing a high-end handmade tile that ships from Italy can skyrocket your budget. When looking for ways to save, opt for materials that are more common, such as a classic bright-white subway tile.



Therefore, reference the goals of the remodel in the first place and the practicality needed from the space. This vision board will organize your ideas to help nail down the details that reflect your unique style and meet your functional needs.

Budgeting Blueprint for Renovation Success

Renovation projects are overwhelming without a well-defined budget. Create a financial plan, incorporating a contingency fund for unexpected costs, to stay on track and avoid overspending.

Be sure to factor in the following expenses:

• Labor
• Materials
• Permits
• Unexpected costs

With a better idea of your project's cost, you can plan how to finance it.

Smart Strategies for Financing Your Dream Home

One of the biggest questions you may ask as you plan is how to pay for it. Once the target budget is set, these seven ways can finance home improvements:

1. Savings/Cash
2. Home improvement loans
3. Home equity line of credit (HELOC)
4. Home equity loan
5. Cash-out refinance
6. Credit Cards
7. Government Loans

Cost-saving tips

Get detailed estimates early in the process. Research project ideas and costs online, schedule consultations with contractors to get estimates, and speak with neighbors about similar projects they’ve done to understand the entire picture of expenses. Refurbish anything salvageable and consider recycled materials to lower the amount you need to save.

Material costs vary widely by region, so your local contractors can collaborate with suppliers in the area to get firm numbers. Be sure to add 10% to any final expense total for unexpected circumstances.



Sometimes, you’ve got to spend a little money to save money. Consider high-efficiency units if upgrading appliances during your renovation. Newer technology can cut utility bills, and smart home devices like thermostats and lights can keep your usage and monthly payments low.

With some sacrifice and creativity, the home of your dreams is attainable!

DIY Route vs. Hiring a Pro: What’s Best?

Many homeowners undertake DIY projects to save money. But not all DIY projects are created equal when it comes to being cost-effective. Theoretically, you could tile your floors yourself for one-third of what the pros cost. However, given the additional need for expensive equipment, a skilled touch, and time to do the job right, the savings often are less than anticipated.

Before diving into DIY enthusiasm - consider the scope of the project, your skill set, and the time commitment required.

ImproveNet conducted a study that found one-third of homeowners who try to remodel their homes end up calling professionals to fix their projects. Among homeowners disappointed with their results, over half (55%) said the final project didn't look good, while a quarter said the project didn't function well (24%) or didn't hold up over time (21%).

Pro Tip: Tasks beyond simple surface cosmetic projects (minor repairs and replacements; and minor site improvements or small structures) require a permit. A contractor will help obtain the permits necessary for the project to move forward.

The good news is renovation projects need not be all-or-nothing. Finding the sweet spot between DIY home renovation enthusiasm and hiring a professional contractor can lead to a harmonious and successful endeavor.

Your licensed contractor will help you breathe easier as they manage project timelines, coordinate tasks, and shield you from the stresses and strains of the renovation process.

Your contractor also provides:

• Legal Compliance
• Insurance Coverage
• Warranty and Accountability

Which are priceless when it comes to peace of mind.

Finding the Perfect Contractor

Finding the perfect contractor is like Goldilocks’ quest for 'just right.' Just as she sought the ideal porridge, chair, and bed, your search for the right contractor involves finding that perfect fit. Think of your research phase as Goldilocks meticulously exploring the three bears' home.

• Field recommendations from trusted sources, including friends and family and verified online reviews. Check the contractor’s website for examples of work they have completed.
• Meet with multiple contractors to discuss your project and request bids. Discuss the design plan you’ve created to get a thorough understanding of your project costs and which contractors have the best understanding of your renovation goals.
• Ask for project references to get feedback from previous customers and documentation to confirm they have the proper licensing and liability insurance.
• Get everything in writing, including the scope of work, budget, and timeline that all parties have agreed upon to avoid any potential disputes.
• Ask how they go about the planning phase.
• How do they schedule?
• Are there dedicated project managers on the team?
• How do they ensure a project is on time and on budget?
  

Let the Interior Remodeling Commence

Work with your contractor to obtain necessary permits, source materials, and develop a realistic timeline. Adding a buffer reduces renovation stress. And remove things you don’t need or want from the construction site.

According to the Bakersfield's Building division, a permit fee and special permit are required for remodels or alterations and other types of residential work such as installing a retaining wall, hot water heater, air conditioner, or swimming pool or spa. Adding a couple of days or even a week buffer will give you some extra wiggle room and reduce your renovation stress.

The Finishing Touches

When the renovation is complete, it’s time for a thorough home inspection. check every detail for craftsmanship, performance, and any issues through the following:



• Run faucets and appliances (and check for leaks).
• Turn on all the lights.
• Switch on the HVAC.
• Check that cabinets are level and doors and drawers open and close smoothly.
• Look for cracks on walls, floors and surfaces that may have incurred damage during installation or transport.
• Check for wobbling ceiling fans.

If any issues arise, ensure the contractor resolves them immediately to prevent further damage or complications.

Post-Renovation Maintenance

Have a maintenance plan in place to ensure the longevity of your renovation. Regularly check guttering, boiler, water leaks, and locks. By maintaining your home, you'll catch any issues quickly before they become significant problems.

Elevate Your Renovation with Expert Guidance from Titanium Construction

From crafting your dream space to navigating the maze of contractor choices, you've gained home renovation tips that will empower you in every decision. For a truly seamless experience, seek professional advice to elevate your renovation.

Titanium Construction can handle all your needs, from residential new construction and remodels, to pool remodels, plumbing, electrical, painting, and everything in between.

Are you ready to move forward with your project? Contact us today for a quote.