Remodeling your condo can help turn your house into a home. It can be lengthy process to get the results you’re looking for, but in the end you’ll be left with a space that’s perfect for you or has been upgraded so that it can sold to someone else. While every condo remodeling project is unique, each project begins with the same question, “Where to start?”
If you’re unsure or even totally lost on where to start with your condo remodeling project, here are five steps you can follow to get on track.
Talk to your homeowner’s association or condo board
Most condominiums have a homeowner’s association or condo board. Before beginning a single thing, find out the rules and regulations of your community as they relate to remodeling as there will undoubtedly be guidelines as to when you can build, commercial vehicle regulations and limitations in terms of design. Not checking these rules beforehand will cause more than a headache or two. It can also cause frustrations when trying to receive deliveries or when working with tradespeople. Even worse, it could lead to a bad relationship with those who serve on the homeowner’s association or condo board.
Make a realistic budget
According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of renovating a home that is less than 1,000 square feet is $18,347. Homeowners should expect to spend at least $100 to $200 per square foot of their home. When it comes to renovating room by room, the cost to renovate a kitchen is anywhere from $12,000 – $33,000 and a bathroom is between $6,000 – $14,000. In order to set a realistic budget, ask yourself these important questions:
- Which room needs the most work?
- Where can I save?
- What would I like to splurge on?
- What are the goals of this project?
With this information in mind, you can create a budget you can stick to, based on what you’re looking to do and how much you’re willing to spend.
Create a timeline
Some condo remodeling projects are going to take more time than others. Depending on the time and the scope of the work, the typical rule of thumb is that condo remodeling can take anywhere from 3-7 months. If you’re doing a complete remodel, plan for longer timeframes and be flexible!
Find inspiration for your project
Looking for inspiration for your new condo remodel is a great way to get excited about your project! Seek inspiration from free websites and digital platforms like Houzz and Pinterest. Or you can search popular home magazines like Better Home and Garden for the newest trends. This is also a great time to begin window shopping at furniture stores and picking out pieces you feel would look perfect in your new space. Take photos of the furniture pieces you favor, clip photos from the trendiest home magazines and keep your favorite color swatches. You can then turn these elements into an inspiration board, which is an excellent way to help make your vision come to life right before your eyes.
When finding inspiration for your condo remodeling project, it’s important to remember that it’s inspiration and not quite your reality. You must know your limits. Keep your budget in mind and your building’s limitations. If your condo does not have high ceilings, try not to fall in love with the idea of exposed beams. Some condos also have smaller rooms and tight spaces and may not be big enough to fit the eight-piece sectional sofa you fell in love with.
Hire a skilled contractor
Unless you’re the skilled contractor, condo remodeling is not a DIY project. In fact, most municipalities require a licensed contractor to remodel a condo. A homeowner is not allowed to remodel their condo, unlike a single-family home remodeling project where such work is allowed. By hiring a professional, you’re hiring someone who is going to go above and beyond that of typical contractor duties. They may be able to help you coordinate with your homeowner’s association, get permits, schedule deliveries and more. Not to mention their hard work will help your condo do a 180!
If you’re in the Southwest Florida area and are looking for a contractor that’s going to go above and beyond the call of duty for your condo remodeling project, contact Varian Construction at (239) 514-0103. Varian Construction is a 30-year-old, owner-operated company that takes pride in their projects all while alleviating the stress on the homeowner.