Three steps to simplify your next renovation project

A home renovation is potentially one of the most expensive and stressful projects you can undertake. Planning ahead, getting organized, and setting realistic expectations are practical tips to help you overcome some of the biggest renovation obstacles including project delays, household disruption and overspending. Here’s how to tackle your next home renovation project and keep your sanity too!

Plan ahead and get organized
Before you begin any renovation work it is important to create a plan. This will help guide you through the renovation process, keep you organized and stress-free. First, determine your expectations and establish your overall budget and timeline, then stick to them. Writing these things down will make you more accountable so you will be less likely to go over budget. Make sure you include a contingency fund within your budget to account for unexpected costs that may arise once you start the renovation.

If you don’t plan on living through the reno, make alternate living arrangements with friends, family or a hotel well in advance. If you do stay, minimize the inconvenience by organizing your home before you take on a renovation to create more space, reduce clutter and make it easier to find things when you need them. Consider setting up a temporary cooking and dining space if you plan on renovating the kitchen, for example.

Lastly, make sure you have everything you need beforehand, such as storage boxes and labels, barrier sheets and protective tarps to stop the spread of dust and dirt.

Keep a design folder
Once you’ve established your project plan, budget and timeline, you can begin researching design ideas to inspire your renovation. Sites like Pinterest and Houzz are great for collecting photos, but try to limit your collection to ten or fewer to avoid becoming overwhelmed. A great way to stay organized and focused is to gather everything you would like to see in your new space into a design folder or binder so that you can refer to them throughout the project.

Decide what you can DIY and when you should call in a pro
Larger renovations may require help from a professional. Determine early on which tasks you can tackle yourself and which should be left to the pros. When hiring a tradesperson make sure to do your homework – use only trusted, accredited suppliers and services and get a contract with them before they start any work.

If you’re handy you may want to complete some (or all) of the work yourself. Painting the walls, refinishing furniture or changing a fixture are small project tasks you can accomplish yourself. When your renovation involves plumbing work, SANIFLO CANADA has plumbing products that meet all the DIYer requirements, and which are designed for use where traditional plumbing installations are either too expensive or involve complicated construction work. For when you would rather hire a professional, use SANIFLO’s Preferred Installer Program to locate a certified plumbing installer in your area.

To learn more about SANIFLO plumbing solutions for your home renovation, please visit saniflo.ca and check us out on Facebook!