Remodeling Checklist: What to Know Before You Remodel

You love your home and don’t want to move. Your neighbor makes a mean margarita and it’s in a fantastic school district. However, the decor hasn’t been updated since the 80s and you can’t look at the wood paneling and formica countertops for another minute. The beginning of a home remodeling journey can be exciting and overwhelming! It can be hard to know where to start your next remodeling project.

At Peacock & Company, we’ve designed and executed premium remodeling results for hundreds of delighted clients throughout the South Bend Area. We’ve taken notes on our favorite and most-prepared clients and blended our expertise into a checklist to help you prepare for your home remodeling project. We’d love to talk to you if you live within the greater South Bend Area! 

Steps Before You Remodel

Planning

Begin your project by dreaming a little! What would your ideal space look like? You may be surprised how many parts of your vision can be incorporated into your actual plan. You will be more likely to find the right contractor if you know what you are looking for. Here are some of our favorite planning stage activities:

1. Pinterest! 
2. Make a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves for your project
3. Peruse local contractor portfolios
4. Interview prospective builders
5. Speak to past clients of your top builder candidate
6. Research the average cost of projects like yours in your area

Hiring a Contractor

A professional, experienced contractor will set the tone for your entire project. Finding the right fit for you is crucial to the success of your project. We’ve compiled a list of questions to ask a contractor to help you collect important information from a prospective builder and ensure you find a high-quality professional for your project.

Budget and Design

Budget and design are linked because the project plans and proposed materials lead to the estimated cost. You and your remodeler will design and select materials for your new space. Many clients meet with their financial institution to explore financing during their planning stages. Builders are often used to providing the paperwork lending institutions need or suggesting lending institutions and financing options that have served past clients well.

Remodeling Steps

Begin your remodeling project knowing what to expect. Understanding the steps in a typical remodeling project while planning your own can help you get started with confidence! 

Demolition

Out with the old and in with the new! Demolition involves taking out any current elements of the space that are not included in the new design. Walls, cabinets, and old appliances might all have to go.

From demolition, until your project is nearly complete, you probably won’t be able to use your space the way you usually do. Your plan will be different if you are remodeling your guest bathroom than remodeling your kitchen. Preparation for your remodel might include:

• Clearing all personal items for the space
• Making alternate living arrangements if the construction plan is extensive
• Preparing easy meals to reheat during construction
• Relocating appliances and other frequently used items typically used in the space 

Construction

Each project includes a unique combination of these needs, and many contractors complete some of them in a different order, but remodeling work is generally completed in the following order:

• Framing
• HVAC/Plumbing/Electrical
• Walls
• Painting Home
• Cabinets
• Appliances
• Finishing
• Final Walk-Through

Construction

How long will your remodeling project take? Of course, the unsatisfying answer is that it depends. Your builder can give you a much better estimate of the length of your project. With that said, we all feel a little more comfortable when we have a ballpark idea. In general, a remodeling project to an existing area like a kitchen or bathroom takes between one and four months. More extensive projects, like structural additions, can take longer.

What Does a Remodel Cost?

The cost of any remodel depends on various factors such as the square footage, materials selected, and the number of structural changes planned. Honest, up-front conversations with your contractor about your budget and desires can help your builder create the right plan to meet your needs and eliminate unpleasant surprises for everyone during your project.

We have explored the wide range of factors that contribute to the cost in project-specific detail for bathrooms and kitchens, which are two of our favorite remodeling projects.

The wide range of costs for a single project is best illustrated with an example. The price of a mid-range bathroom remodel in South Bend, Indiana, is about $30,000. This adds about $14,000 of resale value, creating an ROI of about 47% percent. Clients interested in more premium bathroom remodels see a price tag of approximately $74,000, with a resale value bump of about $41,000. This ROI is quite a few percentage points above a mid-range remodel at a 55% return. With this ROI, don’t discount the value of premium upgrades in your quality of life. Upgrades are worthwhile for multiple reasons especially if they make your everyday life easier or more pleasant. 

Premium Remodeling Results In South Bend

Here at Peacock homes, we’re experts in translating your remodeling vision into the reality surrounding you. We can’t wait to talk to you about how we can deliver the remodeling results you deserve and desire.