5 Questions Every Homeowner Should Ask Before Starting a Design Project

All of those projects you see on HGTV or on Instagram or Pinterest all started from nothing. They require a lot of planning to pull off. It can look easy when it's all crammed into a one hour show or a few images in an Instagram reel. But before you get too excited about doing a renovation in your own home, answer these questions first. Then you'll be better prepared when you hire your designer and general contractor to get the job done the way you envision it.

How Does The Space Need to Function?
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The first thing to consider is how the space functions now and how you want it to function in the future. Make a list of your must-haves and a list of your nice-to-haves. Who is using the space? Are there growing kids? Are there pets? Does the space need to function for aging in place? What about accessibility? Think long term, not just how you would like to live right now. A renovation is a big investment, and you want the finished space to work for you and your family for a long time.

What is My Budget?

Consider how much you have to spend. It might be a good idea to start putting money aside into a savings account now so you don’t max out your credit cards or lines of credit to take on a renovation. It may not just be the cost of the renovation itself that you need to pay for, either. You may need to find other accommodations during part or all of the project, so put that into your budget too.

Do your research. Find out from professionals what you can expect to spend on a project of your size. And add a contingency of at least 10 percent to account for unforeseen changes. Electrical, plumbing, or structural changes that are only discovered after opening a wall, product replacement, and even the fluctuating tariff situation are just some of the most common things that can quickly add to the cost of a project. Keep that in mind when building out your budget.

What is My Timeline?

Time and money are the biggest factors in renovations so think about how much time are you realistically able to give to the project. Projects typically take longer than people expect.  People are generally shocked to find out just how long a renovation can take. It isn’t going to take a couple of weeks; it’s likely to take months. Good design takes time to make sure nothing gets missed and that you get exactly what you want. Plus good contractors are often booked out months in advance. So, whether you’re doing the project by yourself or you hire a designer and general contractor, plan ahead and be realistic about the schedule.

What is My Tolerance Level for Change?

One thing that is certain: changes will happen. Delays will happen. Unexpected things will come up. You need to be prepared for the unexpected. The same goes for the mess, the upheaval, and the disruption to your daily life. Speaking from personal experience, when we renovated our kitchen, our kids were 4, 6, and 12. We spent weeks cooking dinner in the slow cooker in the living room, on the BBQ, or in the microwave. Thankfully my mom lived around the corner and she graciously hosted dinner often at her house but trying to feed a family of five during a full kitchen reno was nuts! The dust drove me crazy too because it got into every nook and cranny of the house.

Be prepared for the upheaval, and know your own tolerance level so you don’t lose it on your designer, your contractor, your partner, or your kids. Renovations can be stressful, so take some time to evaluate how well you’re able to handle it.

How do I want to feel? 

Taking on a renovation is not just about having a beautiful space that functions well at the end. It’s also about having a space that you feel fabulous in; but feeling fabulous means something different for everyone and for every space. So, really imagine how you want to feel when you’re living and/or working in the space. Do you want to feel joy? Calm? Restored? Productive? This applies to all of  the people living and/or working in the space and applies to both residential and commercial projects. Think about how you want to feel but also consider how everyone else wants to feel in the space as well. This is the overall outcome you want to achieve because if you don’t feel good in the space, you won’t spend any time in it.