How To Choose Your Next Renovation Project

If you love renovating or doing DIY, you might be keen to get started on your next project. But how do you decide what that should be? It needs to be something that you have the time and money for and is worthwhile doing. So, it’s crucial to take a bit of time to mull it over, rather than jump straight in without any thought. Asking yourself these pertinent questions will you choose your next renovation project wisely. 

How much time do you have?

If your next project is a DIY one, it’s important to weigh up how much spare time you have. For instance, if you only have a few hours during the week then it’s sensible to stick to something that’s quick and easy to do. A small project such as repainting a door or putting up shelves can be done in a day but could be just as useful and rewarding as a bigger project.

Even if you’re planning to get the trades in for your next home improvement project, it’s worth considering the time you have available to hire and schedule trades to do the work. You may also need to be on hand to keep an eye on proceedings and there may be related jobs that need doing such as clearing a room ready to be decorated. 

If you’re already juggling things like work and childcare, try sticking to something simple rather than planning bigger projects that involve a lot of time and disruption. For instance, you might be better off changing the tiles or having the cabinets vinyl-wrapped instead of going for a whole kitchen refurb. This should minimise the stress on your family life.

What budget have you got?

Another important consideration is how much money you have to spend. You don’t want to take on projects that are outside your budget or will eat up all your savings as this may result in you having to abandon a project halfway through. If money is tight but you’re itching to make changes, stick to projects that don’t require buying expensive tools or materials. 

A small budget shouldn’t stop you from making valuable improvements to your home. If you’ve got leftover paint or wallpaper that you can use, perhaps consider a small upcycling project.

If you’ve got a decent pot of money, it’s worth asking yourself a few other questions, to determine where’s best to spend it.

Which areas of the home need the most attention?

Whenever you’re considering a new DIY or refurb project, it’s worth focusing on the areas of the home that need the most attention. So, if there’s a room that looks dated or tatty or there are things that need repairing, it’s worth making these a priority.  

If you’re still not sure where to start, take a walk around the inside and outside of your home and jot down the things you think could do with improvement. Then arrange the items on the list in order of importance. For instance, if there’s a slipped tile, this probably needs to be placed above the repainting of your lounge in terms of priority as you don’t want to suffer a leak or risk the tile falling to the ground. 

Which rooms do you use the most?

A great place to start any renovation is with the rooms you use the most. Although this could cause disruption, improvements here would make the biggest difference to your day-to-day life. 

Often making improvements to rooms like the kitchen and bathroom can improve your health and wellbeing. For instance, if the family bathroom is drab and doesn’t have a practical shower, you might find mornings a struggle. And if you’re a keen cook and find yourself spending a lot of time in the kitchen, then upgrading this could make the experience more pleasant. Investing in a better layout and new appliances should lighten the workload too.

What will make the biggest impact?

It’s a good idea to choose a project that will have a big impact on your home. This doesn’t need to be big as simply painting the front door or wallpapering a single wall can have a transformative effect yet it’s quick and cost-effective to do. It’s worth thinking about other improvements too, such as insulating the loft or installing a new central heating system, as these could have a big impact on your family’s comfort and help your long-term finances. 

Sometimes it’s hard to picture what changes will make the most difference or to realise the impact that small changes can have. To help you visualise the difference that specific home improvements can make, it’s often useful to turn to social media and look at ‘before’ and ‘after’ shots of similar projects that other homeowners have done. There are some good examples of these on MyJobQuote’s Facebook page. 

Is there anything that niggles you?

When choosing a renovation project, it’s also a good idea to think about the day-to-day niggles you have with your home. Perhaps it’s a lack of kitchen storage that could be helped by a few new shelves or maybe it annoys you that there’s no downstairs loo. Perhaps your lounge isn’t lit very well or the bedroom décor isn’t relaxing enough. Remedying these will not only bring a sense of satisfaction but will help make your home life happier.