Whether you’re looking into upgrading your current home or want to remodel a new purchase into your dream home, renovation can be immensely rewarding – and expensive. It’s easy to get carried away with beautiful plans and wonderful designs, but without the proper financial planning, things can quickly turn sour and stressful. Proper budgeting is at the core of any successful renovation project, regardless of its scope.
Today we’ll have a look at how to budget for a home renovation and give you a step-by-step financial guide to make your vision become a reality.
Step 1: Define Your Renovation Goals
Before even getting to numbers, ask yourself a few questions: What exactly do I want? Do I want a modern kitchen with energy-efficient appliances and fixtures? Or that bathroom that takes me to a luxurious spa retreat? Or a basement that’s not just a glorified storage room by actually provides some additional living space?
Only once you know what you really want, can you start crunching numbers for your budget and timeline. Imagine calling up a contractor, they ask you “I need to know what exactly you want us to do,” and you answer, “I’m not sure.” They won’t be able to help you much, right? Therefore, define your goals and know exactly what to ask for.
Step 2: Do Your Research
The next step still doesn’t really have you crunch numbers because, to be honest, you don’t have anything to crunch yet. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and start researching. Begin by collecting costs associated with renovation projects in your area. There are online resources, such as cost estimation websites or home renovation forums, you can use to a general idea about expenses for materials, labour and permits.
Visit home improvement centres or browse their websites with a list of materials you think you’ll need for your project. Sometimes it can be surprising how much some of these materials cost and you definitely don’t want to underestimate the cost right from the get-go. Even if you plan to go with a contractor, we recommend to do some research in this field, because it’ll allow you to compare pricing better and see if they might try to gouge you. Mind you, some contractors can get better rates for the same materials or have access to better materials for similar prices.
Step 3: Create a Detailed Renovation Plan
So now you have your research done, and it’s time to create a detailed plan that covers every aspect of your project. Start by putting down your desired layout and design andn factor in functionality, aesthetics, and budget constraints. Consider visiting home improvement stores or browsing online catalogs to gather ideas and inspiration for materials and finishes (you could incorporate that into your planning phase for your project to help you put your goals together).
Once you have the full overview of your project, break it down into smaller tasks and estimate realistic timelines. That’ll help you stay organized and also allow you to identify potential challenges or delays before they happen. Also, identify the absolute must-haves of your project and what could be considered nice-to-haves. This will help you adjust your plan in case things start to get too expensive and you have to start cutting back on certain things.
Step 4: Choose the Right Contractor
And that leads us directly into step 4. Unless you’re really DIY savvy or your project isn’t that big or complex, chances are that you will need the services of a professional renovation contractor. Again, research is key here, because there are a lot of contractors out there, but with widely varying scopes of expertise and quality. You will want a reputable company that will ensure everything will run smoothly and be completed on time, within budget and to your satisfaction.
Start by asking friends and family for any recent experiences or search online for “home renovation contractor near me” or “home renovation services near me.” Then, check contractor websites to see if they do the type of reno you’re looking for, you don’t want to end up contacting someone specialized in basement remodels if you are looking to renovate your kitchen. Read reviews and testimonials from past clients, including negative ones, if there are any, to get some first-hand feedback and see if there are any repeated patterns. Once you’ve narrowed down your list, call them up and schedule a meeting to discuss your project and ask for written estimates.
Don’t hesitate to ask any question that comes to mind, such as their experience, qualifications or their approach to project management. You can also ask for references from past clients and take the time to follow up with them to learn more about their experience working with the contractor. Try to get at least three separate quotes; this will allow you to compare prices and get an idea of what the market prices are. Beware if one of them comes in considerably cheaper, because they might be willing to cut corners to undercut the competition.
For homeowners in the Greater Toronto Area, RenoWOW! offers a wide range of home renovation services, including kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation, basement renovation, and condo renovation. With over 25 years of experience and a commitment to quality craftsmanship, RenoWOW! delivers exceptional results that exceed client expectations.
Step 5: Estimate Your Total Costs
Now you have your goals, a detailed renovation plan, costs for material and other expenses and cost estimates from the contractors. Now, it’s finally really time to crunch the numbers and estimate your total costs. Divide your expenses into categories such as labour, materials, permits, and unforeseen expenses–you’ll find out that every project comes with those, no matter how well you plan. Use online calculators or budgeting software to help you accurately estimate costs and ensure that you’re accounting for every aspect of your project.
Keep in mind that renovation costs can quickly add up, so being thorough in your estimations is critical. Factor in additional expenses, such as furniture removal or temporary accommodation, that might come up, depending on the scope of your renovation. And that leads us right into step 6.
Step 6: Set a Contingency Fund
As mentioned before, no matter how carefully you plan, unexpected expenses can and likely will arise during the renovation. Whether a structural issue that only becomes visible once things are demolished or last-minute design changes, there’s a chance that you might find a curveball coming your way. As a general rule of thumb, try to allocate around 10-20% of your total budget as a contingency fund. There are few things worse than something unforeseen coming up and you having to figure out what to cut to keep the project going.
It may feel tempting to use these funds elsewhere and use them for something, but we highly recommend to only touch your contingency fund if it’s absolutely necessary to keep the project on track.
Step 7: Arrange Financing
So, you finally have your budget in hand, so unless you have a well-filled savings account, you’ll likely have to explore financing to fund the whole thing. This could be a home equity loan or a line of credit, there are several options available, each with their own pros and cons, so do your research to determine which one fits your needs and goals the best.
Take some time to shop around to compare interest rates and terms from different lenders as some may be more competitive and flexible than others. Often, spending a bit more time on this can save you some nice money in the end.
Step 8: Monitor Your Spending
The time has finally come, your renovation project is underway. Now, keeping track of your spending is crucial to ensure you stay within budget. Set up a system for tracking that goes beyond a shoebox and a sheet of paper, because it can be very easy to lose track and start overspending. You can use a spreadsheet, a budgeting app or a project management software, but whichever way you choose, be diligent and record every purchase and expense related to your renovation, whether it’s materials, labour, permits or anything else that might come up.
Regularly review your budget and compare your actual expenses against your initial estimates, which will allow you to identify areas where you might have to adjust your spending not to derail the project. Staying on top of things can help you prevent big headaches and surprises and keep control of the financials.
Step 9: Review and Adjust Your Budget
Throughout the whole process, make sure to review and adjust your budget as needed. Depending on how big the project is, there might be changes or unforeseen circumstances that might require some tweaks and being able to adapt your budget can keep everything on course. If you find yourself over budget, there’s no need to panic yet; check to see if there are other areas where you could cut costs or reallocate some funds to avoid breaking the bank.
This is where the “must-have” and “nice-to-have” planning from earlier can help you quickly identify areas where you might be able to move funds around. On the other hand, if you find yourself under budget (this can happen, we promise), you could invest this into additional upgrades or enhancements or keep the money for future projects.
Trust the Professionals
Budgeting is one of the most critical parts of any home renovation project and giving it the necessary time is crucial. Ensure you do the proper research and follow the steps of our guidelines to put your project on solid financial legs from the get-go. Plan, monitor, adjust.
RenoWOW! can help you with every step along the way, from the planning stage to the final walkthrough. With over 25 years of experience and a commitment to quality craftsmanship, RenoWOW! delivers exceptional results that exceed client expectations.
Whether you are looking for a home renovation, kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation or basement renovation the specialists of RenoWOW! Are ready to make your dream a reality.
Call us today at 647-556-2191 or fill out our convenient online form to find out more!
