Whether you are updating your living room furniture or tearing down an entire wall in your home, there are important home renovation tips you should consider before beginning your project.

It’s easy to focus on the exciting aspects of home renovation -shopping for new furniture and appliances, picking out new paint colors- only to overlook some crucial details that created a major headache and a not-so-pleasant experience. If you’ve recently looked around your home and decided you are long overdue for a minor (or major) makeover, there are a few important home renovation tips to consider before you begin your project and through its completion.

• Money.  Set a budget. Whether this is a small change or a major project, you need to consider how much money you are able and willing to spend.  Many people start home renovations without a budget and realize half-way through the project that they have run out of money.  If you set realistic expectations, allowing wiggle room for unforeseen problems and costs, you will see this renovation happily to its completion. Make sure you allow a small portion of your budget for clean-up costs, waste containers and trash removal of larger items.
• Safety.  Once you’ve decided on a budget, you need to consider how safe the home renovation will be.  You want to make sure that children and pets are kept away from any kind of toxic fumes, falling debris, dust and clutter. Plan ahead to have children and pets kept away from anything that may be harmful in advance.  Also, make sure to use appropriate masks, goggles, gloves and protective clothing if you are doing the work yourself.
• Set a schedule.  Whether you are tackling the task alone, with a few friends, or hiring people to do the work, scheduling is crucial to smooth sailing during your project.  You want to make sure the work will be completed in a timely fashion especially if this project requires several steps. For example, If you’re having furniture delivered at a set date, you want to make sure the new carpets are installed, the walls have already been painted, etc. Also consider what preparations need to be met according to this schedule. Are you replacing your carpets and dumping your old furniture? If so, how and where are you going to dump them? Schedule your R&R containers in advance to ensure production will not be delayed.

Planning ahead ensures your project will be hassle-free with fewer disappointments and frustrations.

• Stay calm and focused.  Home renovations, no matter how big or small, can become very frustrating if things don’t go according to plan.  Remind yourself how spectacular this project will be once completed. Setbacks happen! Do your best to be flexible (and patient) when it does. Keeping a calendar and/or to-do list can be an easy visual reminder of what needs to be done, what already has been done, and what needs to be re-arranged due to unexpected delays.

Keeping these home renovation tips in mind can help ensure a good overall experience with your project.