By: Bob Boilard, Vice President of Boilard Lumber

Are you ready to remodel your home? A major renovation can be stressful, costly and time consuming. Making a plan before you start and sticking to it will help you, your family and your contractor through the entire process.

By following these eight tips, you can commit to a roadmap for your renovation that will leave you stress free and with a brand-new or upgraded part of your home to enjoy.

8 Tips to Prepare for Home Renovations
1. Have a plan. Decide up front what you would like your renovation to entail and write it all out. Having a clear goal in mind will keep you on track and on budget, and will make it easier to get a solid estimate and plan from a contractor. Adding features partway through a project can sabotage both your timeline and your budget.
2. Set a budget. Decide in advance what your max budget will be and do some research to find out if your plan and budget are on par. Include an emergency buffer to cover any unexpected expenses, like repairing water or insect damage found under tiles or for flexibility if you decide on upgrades. No project ever goes completely as planned, so having a built-in buffer will help prevent you from going over your max budget without having to compromise on your design plan.
3. Do your research and get estimates. When considering contractors, ask for recommendations from friends and family who have had successful renovations. You can also read online reviews, ask the contractors to provide references and view their portfolio to get an idea of the work they do. Get estimates from two or three and review them carefully to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. Check to make sure all the features you want for your renovation are accounted for to avoid additional expenses.
4. Set a deadline. Decide when you ideally want the project to start and finish. Having a budget and a timeline will help when choosing a contractor who can stay within your time and money constraints. A shorter timeline may end up costing you more money, so be sure to plan far enough ahead. Remember, there are some factors beyond your contractor’s control, such as delays in materials, which we definitely have experienced throughout the pandemic.
5. Update your home security. During a remodel, your home may feel like it has a revolving door of workers, inspectors, designers and deliveries. Even if you plan to be home for the entire process, upgrading your security may give you added peace of
 
mind. A video doorbell system can help you track deliveries and the comings and goings of those involved in your renovation. Some contractors will use a lock box with a keycode to allow approved workers access. Consider using an in-home safe or a safety deposit box at a bank for valuables, or a locked room or closet for breakable items.
6. Decide: should you stay, or should you go? It may be tempting to take an extended vacation during your renovation, but even a video chat cannot replace on-site visits to make decisions and monitor progress. If staying in the house isn’t an option for you, try to stay nearby so you can keep an eye on things. Make it a point to stop by regularly and ask your contractor questions immediately if anything seems amiss. Miscommunications happen and it’s easier to fix mistakes earlier than when construction has proceeded further along.
7. Think through the inconveniences. Where will you shower while your bathroom is out of commission? How will you cook dinner when your kitchen is torn apart? Come up with a plan to deal with the daily tasks of living while your renovation is underway. Meet with your entire household to anticipate issues, especially if you will be staying on-site throughout the renovation. The more you can prepare in advance, the less stressed you’ll be in the moment. This may mean finding a temporary home for pets, collecting takeout menus from local restaurants, or asking friends or neighbors for use of their facilities.
8. Take photos before work begins. Take pictures before, during and after the renovation. Nothing is better at the end of the project than being able to compare what you had before to what you have now.

Boilard Lumber Can Help
In addition to all the materials and tools needed for your renovation, we offer expert advice and design services at no additional charge. Come in and browse our showroom for ideas and inspiration, and to help establish a budget for your project.

Our professional designers can help you design the kitchen, bath or deck of your dreams. They’ll talk to you about your style and preferences and meet with you on-site to measure and assess the space. They’ll also take care of the ordering, tracking and delivery of your materials and resolve any issues that occur, helping to ensure a smooth, enjoyable process.

Boilards.com
413.543.4100

476 Oak Street
Indian Orchard, MA
Monday – Friday: 7:00AM to 4:30PM
Saturday: 8:00AM to 12:30PM