According to Market Watch, the US real estate market is cooling, with 25% of sellers dropping their prices this year. While South Carolina seems immune to this phenomenon at present, it’s best to act now if you want to improve the value of your home.
Whether you’ve just moved into a new home, or you’re planning to sell your existing home soon, sprucing things up is the best way to increase its value. That is if you get the process right from the outset.
These are our top tips for home remodeling in Charleston, SC.
1. Budgeting for Home Remodeling in Charleston, SC
Your budget determines every aspect of home remodeling in Mount Pleasant, SC. It will impact the materials you choose, the extent of your renovation, and your choice of general contractor in Mount Pleasant, SC.
Keep your goals in mind when you set aside money for renovations. Always plan to start with the most important aspects first, you can always add more improvements later.
When you work with a reputable general contractor in Charleston, SC, they can guide this process from the outset, keeping in mind how one improvement may impact another.
You must include a contingency fund in your budget to compensate for unexpected expenses. It’s an unfortunate fact of life that most home remodeling projects go over budget.
Even related costs like having to eat out every night during a kitchen renovation, or renting a hotel room while the contractor works on your bedrooms, can eat into your budget quickly.
Chatting with friends about their experiences with home remodeling in Mount Pleasant, SC can provide invaluable information to guide your budgeting process.
2. Select the Best Contractor
Whether you’re looking for a new home builder in Mount Pleasant, SC, or conducting a small renovation, you must hire the best contractor for the job.
Take your time asking the right questions, researching reviews, and comparing prices before you commit. You must ensure you work with a licensed and insured contractor and that you discuss payment expectations in detail beforehand.
When you meet with the contractor, pay attention to their demeanor and service levels. They’ll have unfettered access to your home throughout the process, so you must be comfortable working with them for an extended length of time.
You should also ask for references, so you can speak to previous clients about working with the contractor in question.
3. Prepare for Major Disruptions
Remodeling your Charleston or Mount Pleasant home can have serious repercussions on your daily life.
Set up a detailed timeline with your contractor to help you anticipate these. You should also discuss your daily routine with them, so you can establish start and end times for the work that impact you as little as possible.
For instance, if you’re contemplating a bathroom makeover, you can expect to have your water shut off for a day or more.
The clutter, dust, and debris in your environment will increase during the home renovation process.
Be sure to pack away valuable items and store them somewhere safe throughout the process. It’s a good idea to place most of your furniture in storage, too.
Always try to keep one or more rooms free at a time so you’ve got somewhere to escape the disruptions that go along with remodeling.
If possible, make arrangements for your pets to stay offsite during the process, it’s bound to be a stressful time for them. Often, it’s best to stay in alternative accommodation for part of the process.
4. Consider the Weather
The US postal service may operate rain or shine, but building contractors can’t. It’s impossible to perform certain repairs and renovations during rainy spells.
For instance, if you’re replacing your roof, you must complete the job before the next rainy season in South Carolina.
Rain can stall work and cause damage in unprotected areas of your home. Your contractor will know the best times to complete each aspect of your renovation.
Bear in mind that most contractors are busiest when the weather is at its best, so make sure you book your renovation early if you want to hire their services at these times.
5. Think Long Term
The choices you make at the outset of your home remodeling project can affect the safety and comfort of your home for years to come.
Make sure you discuss the durability and maintenance of the materials you choose with your contractor. Spending more on higher-quality materials now will save you money and inconvenience later.
Nowadays, it’s also important to consider the environmental impact of your choices. Your neighborhood might offer incentives if you implement eco-friendly materials and processes in your build.
6. Apply For Permits Early
In many cases, a reputable, experienced contractor can assist you with information on necessary building permits for your area and even help you achieve these faster.
You can’t start your project without these approvals, and the wheels of bureaucracy can turn slowly at times. The sooner you apply for the necessary permissions, the sooner you can start work on your home renovation in Charleston, SC.
Create Your Dream Home with CK Contracting
When you undergo home remodeling in Charleston, SC, not only will you increase the value of your home, but you’ll also improve its comfort and appeal.
Why not create your dream home or build it instead of shopping around? With the current demand for housing, that might be a better option for you.
CK Contracting has overseen home renovations for over a decade and built our first house almost ten years ago. Get in touch to discuss your goals for your home, we have the experience to guide you every step of the way.
