A FRESH START in the New Year! Adding on or renovating your existing home? Here are a few key components to put in your arsenal before taking on this daunting adventure. Let’s dive right in.

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Before anything else, START HERE:

• Define your goals: before diving into a renovation, you’ll need to clearly outline your objectives. Yes, only you know what your space challenges are! Such as, increasing space, update aesthetics, improving functionality, or a combination.

• Set a realistic budget: Yes, yes, and yes. All things need to be considered as potential costs, including materials, labor, design, permits, and of course, those unforeseen expenses that are almost inevitable in construction.

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Planning

It is always wise to plan, but where to start? Create a detailed plan outlining the desired scope of work, project timeline, and outcomes.

We recommend hiring your interior designer prior to hiring your contractor.

Your designer can prepare you with a realistic budget, visualize the design and plan of execution before bringing on a contractor.

Collaboration and communication with designers or contractors are crucial to align expectations and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Prepping

Give yourself, your family and your professional team, time. Prep yourself with a realistic timeline.

Construction takes time, and more time and then maybe a little more time.

We advise homeowners to back track – if you’d like construction to be completed prior to the Holidays, start your research and planning AT LEAST 8-9 months prior (maybe longer, dependent on the project size).

PREPARING

Prepare Your Home & Yourself: Communicate with family members about the upcoming changes and establish temporary living arrangements, if necessary, and it’s almost always necessary, just to keep your sanity.

Additionally, prepare mentally for the disruption that a renovation can bring to your daily routine.

Flexibility and patience are key as unexpected delays or adjustments might occur during the project. Prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. And of course, clear the renovation area of belongings and furniture to allow contractors easy access and prevent damage to your possessions.

Order of tasks // Realistic “Ideal” TIMELINE

1. Consider goals, dreams and aspirations (refer to above) 2-4 weeks

2. Determine budget (refer to above) 2-4 weeks

3. hire Designer: (Why hire designer before a contractor? Designers are here to provide clear planning and vision; this allows designers to streamline the process by handing over the plan to the contractors to get feasible pricing) 3-5 weeks

4. Start the planning and design process 8-12 weeks

   • Hire contractor 3-5 weeks

   • Get pricing estimate from contractor 1-2 weeks

5. Prepare yourself/home for start date 2-3 weeks

6. Start construction 10-34 weeks

7. Add additional weeks for unforeseen circumstances/ final touches 2-4 weeks

8. Project completion celebration!

In conclusion, by following this guideline and approaching your home renovation with careful planning and realistic preparations, you’ll set the stage for a smoother and more successful transformation of your home. Keep in mind that flexibility is key, as unexpected challenges may, and probably will arise along the way.

Whether you’re located in Johns Island, Mount Pleasant, near or far, renovations and project execution is where BT Interiors shines the brightest – give us a call or visit our website to learn how we can help your house feel like home.

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