Nowadays many people would rather renovate a home than buy a new one. Renovation is often less expensive, yet it can give you a better living environment that is as comfortable and beautiful as a brand new home.

Here are some tips on successful renovation:

Think and prepare before starting

As when building a new home, undertaking a renovation should focus on its purpose. Getting help from a professional architect might be advisable. The important point is to think first of the utilization of interior space rather than aesthetics. This is where an architect can help, by developing perspectives and blueprints that allow you to visualize each space before the project starts. Often this saves time.

Examine the structure’s physical condition, determine the renovation methods and list each step

Before you renovate, you need to research a wide variety of information. Renovation is different from new construction because you need to focus on structural requirements and legal restrictions. You can start by clipping photos from décor magazines and websites to illustrate ideas for each room. Then ask your architect or contractor how to achieve similar results.

Budget carefully

Renovating a home requires a big lump sum.  You’ll need to pay for plans, materials, workers’ wages and so on. Planning will help keep costs under control.

Make just one plan and stick to it

A successful renovation needs a final and firm decision. If you change your mind about color schemes or construction materials after starting, it will take more time and money. You should list the materials in advance, ranking them by importance. This will help keep the project on schedule and on budget.

Find skilled, reliable craftsmen

Getting experienced contractors, designers and structural engineers is crucial. Before you start the project, you’ll need to carefully examine the existing structure, electrical systems and plumbing, all of which can be greatly affected by a renovation. To ensure safety, you need to plan ahead to prevent overload or damage to these systems.

Select the right materials and appliances

Choose durable materials to prolong the life of your home. Quality appliances are not necessarily the most expensive ones. Pay attention to both practicality and budget when you choose.

You might think that you’ll save money by purchasing materials yourself instead of asking your contractor, who may add a surcharge. But in fact a subcontractor is likely to be able to buy at lower price because they know more about the products and suppliers. What you should do is to define the specifications of materials to avoid disappointment.

Don’t pay the contractor all at once

The smart way to pay a contractor is to provide a series of partial payments as each segment of the job is completed correctly. That way you can change to a new contractor in case of poor performance at any point. Each payment should be made only after the segment is finished with a satisfactory outcome. If there are errors or flaws for which the contractor is responsible, you’ll need to discuss them to reach a mutual understanding.  If not, you might end up having to pay for additional renovation work.

Move out during renovation

Most homeowners stay in residence during repairs and renovations. But it’s better to relocate temporarily, if possible, to avoid noise, dust, fumes and other annoyances.

It’s also important to keep children and pets away from the renovation site in order to protect them against the dangers and let workers do their jobs without interference.

Renovating a home is not complicated, and there are plenty of experts available to help you decide and plan effectively. A successful renovation project can help you save money when you want a nicer home.