Whether you’re planning to upgrade your bathroom or completely remodel your kitchen, home renovations offer a great way to enhance your living spaces. According to a recent study conducted by Havard University, homeowners spent an incredible $406 billion on home renovations in 2021, a 24-percent increase from the previous year. Performing a home renovation can cost hundreds to several thousands of dollars to complete; it is a major financial investment. These changes also require quite a lot of emotional investment as you navigate the process from start to finish. 

Homeowners face many challenges when dealing with a major renovation, including budgeting concerns, worries about the timeline, and the possibility that you won’t be able to use certain parts of your home until the process is complete. This guide provides some helpful renovation solutions that will protect your investment and make the entire process more seamless and less stressful. Whether you need some clever DIY tips, you’re looking for helpful home renovation apps, or you need insurance advice, read on to discover the best ways to ensure your next home improvement project is successful.

 

Renovation solutions for the planning process

Before you begin your home makeover, it’s important to plan, including the overall scope of work, your desired timeline, the materials you plan to use, and most importantly, your budget. Here are some tips and information to keep in mind as you begin the renovation planning process.

  • Create a detailed outline for all the work you want to have done, including all the changes you want to make in every room you’re going to renovate. Be as specific as possible and include exactly what you want to change, what you can do DIY, and what you expect from the contractors you hire.
  • Research local permit requirements in advance to ensure you get the proper permits before the home renovation process starts. Some contractors can obtain the necessary permits themselves, while the homeowner’s responsibility lies in their hands in other cases.
  • Sit down and come up with a detailed renovation budget in advance. Not only will this help you plan and save money for the renovation, but it will also make it easier to get quotes and help you ensure that you don’t accidentally go over budget during the process. This is also a great time to start shopping for the price of materials and to determine where you’ll source them.
  • Come up with a detailed timeline for when you expect each step of the process to be complete. Make this timeline clear to the contractors you hire so you’re all on the same page. If you can be a bit flexible with the timeline, let them know this also.
  • Discuss task prioritization before any step of the renovation begins. Whether you’re renovating one room or several rooms at once is important. Prioritizing each task in order of importance will make the whole process go much smoother and ensure that the most crucial steps are completed first.

 

Using home renovation apps for renovation solutions

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Several helpful home renovation apps are designed to make remodeling easier for homeowners and contractors. These apps have features covering everything from planning your reno’s design to managing the budget, calculating measurements, getting help finding contractors, material sourcing, and more.

Home improvement calcs

This helpful app makes it easier to determine how many materials you’ll need for every renovation project. It features over 250 different calculators and unit conversions in a single app, so you can find the information you need quickly and easily. Install this on your smartphone and use it to determine the average quantity, square footage, and more for everything from new flooring and bathroom tile to wallpaper and more.

Magicplan

Designing a new floor plan is one of the toughest parts of home renovations. With the magicplan app, you can use the camera on your phone to scan different rooms as the app automatically creates a unique, interactive floor plan. After you’re done, you can use the app to sketch changes or get calculations and estimates for the total job cost, making budgeting easier.

iScape

If you plan to do outdoor renovations, the iScape app helps you tackle virtually any landscaping project. This app helps you plan and design a new yard layout, provides tips to help you save on materials, and gives expert advice about what to plant based on where you live. You can also hire a professional or obtain the materials you need using iScape for a beautiful outdoor renovation.

Pantone studio

Coming up with the perfect color scheme is a tricky part of any home renovation, especially if you’re not an interior designer by trade. With the Pantone Studio app, you can curate the perfect palette for every room. It even offers free suggestions to help you decide which colors work best in your space.

HomeZada

The HomeZada app makes handling a variety of home renovation projects easier. This app helps you stay organized whether you’re renovating one room or your entire home. Use the app to plan your design, budget your project, track your progress, and hire trusted contractors near you. This app even helps you estimate how the new renovations could potentially affect your home’s resale value.

Outfit

This new app is changing the home renovation process by blending helpful information with a subscription service. When you sign up with Outfit on their website, you have to tell them which type of project you’re planning to complete, and they’ll send you exactly what you need right to your home with one of their renovation kits. Once you receive your products, download the app for helpful informational videos and step-by-step instructions that make the DIY process less intimidating.

RoOmy

This app makes the home renovation process fun. The roOmy app lets you browse different 3D models of rooms that have been expertly designed, providing you with inspiration for everything from paint colors and rugs to home furnishings. You can also shop for products directly through the app to recreate the look. The augmented reality feature helps you determine how different items, including couches, beds, tables, and more, will look in your home.

Home renovation apps offer several benefits to homeowners and professionals alike. Here are some advantages of using these apps:

  1. Visualization: Home renovation apps often include augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) features, allowing users to visualize how different design elements will look in their homes before making any changes. This helps in making more informed decisions about the design and layout.
  2. Design Inspiration: These apps often come with a vast library of design ideas, styles, and trends. Users can explore various options, color schemes, and layouts to find inspiration for their home renovation projects. This can be particularly helpful for those who may be unsure about their design preferences.
  3. Budgeting: Many home renovation apps include budgeting tools that help users plan and track their expenses. Users can input their budget, and the app can provide estimates for different materials, labor costs, and other expenses. This helps in keeping the project within financial constraints.
  4. Project Management: Some apps offer project management features, allowing users to create to-do lists, set timelines, and track the progress of their renovation projects. This can help keep the project organized and on schedule.
  5. Material Selection: Home renovation apps often provide information about different materials available for various projects. Users can compare options, read reviews, and make more informed decisions about the materials that best suit their needs and preferences.
  6. Collaboration: For those working with professionals, home renovation apps can facilitate collaboration between homeowners, contractors, architects, and other stakeholders. Users can share project details, design ideas, and updates with the relevant parties, streamlining communication.
  7. Measurement Tools: Some apps include measurement tools that use augmented reality to measure spaces accurately. This can be helpful when planning for furniture placement, determining the size of materials needed, or ensuring that new additions fit seamlessly into the existing space.
  8. Time Savings: Home renovation apps can save time by providing quick access to information, design ideas, and project management tools. Users can make decisions faster, reducing the time spent on the planning phase of the renovation.
  9. Environmental Considerations: Certain apps may include features that help users make environmentally friendly choices for their renovations. This could involve recommending sustainable materials or energy-efficient design options.
  10. Documentation: Apps can help users keep track of important documents related to their renovation, such as contracts, permits, and receipts. Having all documentation in one place can simplify the process of managing and completing a renovation project.

While home renovation apps offer numerous benefits, it’s important to choose the right app based on individual needs and the specific requirements of the project. Additionally, these apps complement rather than replace the expertise of professionals, and consulting with experts is often advisable for complex projects.

 

Smart DIY tips and techniques for renovation solutions

While certain projects will require the help of an experienced, skilled contractor, there are a few things that you can tackle DIY. It’s completely up to you whether or not you want to try your hand at some of these projects, but they’ll most likely save you money in the long run.

  • Painting your home DIY can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Make sure you use a tarp to cover your flooring and furniture, and use a high-quality roller and brushes to paint the walls, trim, and floorboards. Make sure you have proper ventilation when painting, and have a spotter available if you need to use a ladder.
  • Tiling is a great DIY project that’s fun to do. Always confirm that you’re using the right products (like mastic or grout) before you begin, and purchase approximately 10 percent more tile than you think you’ll need. Prep the surface carefully and plan the layout before applying the tile, and always wear proper eye protection if you’re cutting tile with a wet saw.
  • Minor carpentry work is also something many homeowners choose to do themselves. This may include installing doors, adding new trim, or even building custom shelving. Whenever you’re woodworking, measure everything carefully and make cuts carefully, using the proper personal protection to guard your eyes and hands from injury. Depending on the difficulty level or scale, you can use a handsaw or a circular saw to make most of your cuts.
  • Landscaping is another popular DIY renovation project. Always make sure you’re planting native plants that will thrive based on your designated USDA plant hardiness zone. Plan the layout of your new landscaping to determine where new trees, shrubs, and flowers will go. Use the proper gardening tools and only add new plants during the appropriate season so they become established before winter sets in.

 

Renovation solutions: Insurance considerations

No matter the scope or scale of your home renovation, it may impact your home insurance coverage and premiums. For example, if you’re planning a major kitchen renovation, your current insurance policy coverage limits may need to increase when it’s complete. That’s because the cost to replace higher-end appliances and finishes will be higher, so you want to make sure you’re covered in the event of a peril like a fire. Otherwise, you may not receive the cost to replace everything recently renovated but will most likely receive the lower cost to replace everything in the original kitchen instead. As a result, this may cause your premiums to increase slightly.

Some renovations could lower your home insurance premiums, such as installing a new home security system or upgrading the roof, plumbing, or electrical systems. New fire detection systems can also potentially cause your premiums to decrease. It’s important to notify your insurance company of any ongoing renovations you’re planning to do. If you live in an area prone to natural disasters, installing things like hurricane shutters or reinforced roofing may also cause your premiums to be lower.

  • Notify the insurance company before your home renovation project, particularly if you’re doing a massive renovation that will impact the insured value of your home.
  • Ask your agent or insurance company whether they offer home renovation insurance (also called dwelling under construction insurance), which covers risks associated with the renovation process, such as liability for injuries, building materials, and foundation repair if something goes wrong. You may also want to add “vacant home insurance” if you’re not planning to live in your home during the renovations.
  • Tell your insurer once the renovations are complete to confirm that your coverage reflects your home’s new, higher value. Don’t forget to tell them about any major upgrades you made that could qualify for a discount.
  • It’s important to note that home insurance does not protect you if you’re a victim of poor quality or have issues with your contractor. If this applies to you, you’ll need to take legal action against the contractor to recoup any money you spent.

With careful and thorough planning, utilizing the newest technology like home improvement apps, examining your home insurance implications, and managing risks, you can ensure your next home improvement project is a smooth and seamless experience. Remember to use these renovation solutions to help you create a beautiful home you’ll love for many years. Always try to approach your home renovation with a positive and well-rounded perspective so you can balance simplicity with the right steps and get the proper insurance coverage to protect you and your home.