When you receive the keys to a house or flat you plan to renovate, you may feel an overwhelming urge to jump straight in, start swinging a hammer, knocking down walls and throwing everything out. However, no matter how strong that urge is, the smartest first step is to sit down and create a detailed plan.

Many people have learned this the hard way, but you can learn from their mistakes. If you don’t have a clearly defined plan at the beginning of the renovation, your budget and schedule will keep changing throughout the entire process. With that in mind, let’s look at how you can prepare yourself as effectively as possible.

1. Think About the End Result from the Very Beginning

Visualise what you want the final result to look like. Start creating mood boards and gather photos and images that inspire you.

Mood boards are much more than just a wish list. They allow you to truly see how your project could look once it’s finished. Look for examples of trends or ideas you want to follow. Consider how other people approached their renovations and how they achieved results similar to what you want. What do you like about a particular design? What would you do differently? Creativity fuels creativity, so when you feel inspired, your own design choices will improve as well.

Do you want your home to feel lively and fun? Are you looking for space where a young family can grow and play? Or do you want to create a peaceful retreat where you can escape from the outside world? Give your renovation a clear intention and the plans will start to come together naturally.

2. Set Milestones and Smaller Goals

Do you know what often determines your success as a “designer” and the overall success of your renovation project?

We all want renovations to finally come to an end, but what helps you get there successfully? Key goals should be set before the project even begins. This helps you stay within the budget and timeline you want to follow.

Define smaller goals that you want to achieve along the way. Renovations can take a long time, and if you’re motivated only by the final result, it can be difficult to maintain enthusiasm. Smaller goals allow you to celebrate milestones, see real progress and stay motivated for longer.

3. Be Realistic

What you see on television renovation shows is rarely what you should expect in real life. It’s very common for people to underestimate how long a renovation will take. When creating your plan, take into account all the factors that can affect the timeline. Make sure to allow time for rest as well. If you’re doing something for the first time, it will almost certainly take longer than expected.

There are also many hidden costs that can catch you off guard, so don’t be naïve. When a contractor asks whether you’d like to add extra features or upgrades, always ask yourself two questions: How much will it cost and how long will it take? It’s easy to assume these suggestions are made out of kindness, but in most cases they simply increase the final bill.

4. Define Your Core Priorities

During a renovation, you’ll be making decisions constantly. Should you replace the flooring? Are those designer lights worth the price? Should you call in a professional or do it yourself? If you’re renovating as a couple, these decisions can easily turn into heated discussions.

Define what matters most to you. Clear priorities help you make decisions faster and with less stress. Writing a priority-based wish list can be very helpful. Just keep in mind that compromises between your priorities and your budget are almost always necessary.

5. Know Your Limits

You don’t know what you don’t know. Yes, trial and error can eventually get you to the finish line, but advice from a professional can get you there faster and often more cheaply. This doesn’t mean hiring contractors for everything. Sometimes it’s enough to talk to someone who has recently renovated or to look for reliable advice online. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Talk to someone who understands the area you’re struggling with. Always check whether your budget is realistic. If you have technical questions, find an expert who can offer consultations at a low cost or even for free. If you don’t want to discuss your own budget, ask others how much their renovation cost and whether they’re happy with the result.

6. Identify and Manage Risk Areas

Take time to identify risk areas that could significantly affect your goals. Think about how you can minimise their impact or, ideally, eliminate the risk altogether.

A good example is demolition work during a house renovation. If you’ve never done this before and lack experience, estimating costs carries a higher risk. A wrong estimate can be very expensive. To reduce this risk, contact a company that does this regularly and ask for a detailed quotation. This way, you’ll know how much money to set aside and significantly reduce the risk of draining your contingency fund.

7. Prepare Financially

Renovation is a major undertaking and will cost a significant amount of money. The more detailed your plan is, the better you’ll be able to estimate the required budget. This will help you decide whether your savings are sufficient, whether you should wait a few more months or whether taking out a loan makes sense.

It’s understandable that some people see goal-setting as unnecessary extra work, especially for smaller renovations or when time and money are not an issue. However, regardless of the project size, planning is an excellent habit worth developing.

By applying the tips above, you’ll be forced to think through the entire project in detail. Every step will be carefully considered, all with the aim of reaching your predefined final goal.

Planning challenges your thinking and covers every element of the renovation ahead of you. Yes, it takes time, but in the end it leads to a successfully completed project that would cost you time and money regardless.

Photo: Yan Krukov, Pexels