These projects can provide your home with a wide range of benefits if the projects are done properly. While the actual work that goes into the renovation is the most important element of the project, there are a number of other things that you can do before the work gets started that will increase the chances of the project being a successful one.

Create a Realistic Budget

The first step towards any successful remodelling project is to create a budget for the project. This budget can be large or small depending on what you can realistically spend on it. If you don’t create a strict budget that takes all of the costs into account, it’s likely that you will be surprised by the final cost, which can be problematic if you find that you’re unable to afford it.

Once you’ve determined what type of renovation you want to pursue, you’ll have a better idea of how to craft a proper budget. If the renovation is proving to be a major one, it’s possible that you could obtain a line of credit that draws from your home equity. This type of loan uses the equity within your property as collateral.

The most important costs of any home improvement project include the costs of hiring contractors and the costs of the materials that need to be used during the renovation. Once you’ve calculated these costs and have determined how much you’re willing to spend, you should have a good idea of whether or not the project will fit into your budget.

When hiring a contractor, make sure that they provide you with a free quote before the project begins. A quote is an estimate of what you should expect to pay for the project at hand. Although these quotes are only estimates of the final project costs, they are usually never too far off from the final costs.

When you’re creating a budget, it’s essential that you put aside some money for any hidden costs. With large remodelling projects, there may be some additional expenses that only display themselves midway through the project. Set aside 10 percent extra of the total that you expect to pay for the renovation.

If the estimate that you’re provided with is slightly over your preferred budget, there are ways for you to cut costs. For one, you should tackle some of the smaller projects yourself to keep costs down, which can include everything from removing the tile in your kitchen to pulling up old carpet. If you want to save money, consider hiring contractors in the fall or winter seasons. Contractors are at their busiest throughout the spring and summer seasons.

Identify the Scope of the Project

The only way for your project to be completed on schedule is if you have identified the scope of the renovation. If you’re hazy on what the scope should be once work has begun, you’ll likely find yourself making numerous change orders to the original contract, which can cause the project to spiral out of control in terms of both time and money. A contractor needs to know the size of the project beforehand so that they can bring along the proper equipment.

Conduct Extensive Research 

The biggest factor in what a remodelling project will cost is what types of materials will be chosen for the project. There are a variety of different materials that can be selected for nearly every type of remodel, which can scale to your budget.

If you’re remodelling the countertops in your kitchen or bathroom, the more luxurious and pricey choices available to you include granite and marble, both of which offer a stylish appearance to countertops. However, a material like engineered quartz is much more affordable while also being aesthetically appealing.

When you’re looking at flooring materials, the most inexpensive options are typically those of laminate and tile. Carpet can vary substantially in cost and quality. The most expensive flooring materials include hardwood and engineered hardwood. If you’re finding that the costs associated with the materials you’ve selected have put you over budget, consider replacing an expensive material with a more affordable one.

Interview Prospective Contractors

No matter how well you budget and plan for your next home improvement project, the project won’t be a successful one unless you hire the right contractors for the job. There are dozens if not hundreds of local contractors for you to consider, which is why interviewing prospective contractors is so important.

Make sure that you speak with the project manager before signing a contract to ascertain whether or not they understand your vision. When interviewing prospective contractors for the job, you’ll want to obtain references from them as well as information about their licensing.

Follow up on the references you receive to determine if past customers are satisfied. Before interviewing contractors, look up online reviews on Google and the Better Business Bureau to get a good idea of their reputation. During this process, it’s possible that you will be provided with a surprisingly low cost estimate for the project.

While low prices are likely enticing, companies that provide low-ball estimates are typically not legitimate. It’s better to pay more for a reputable company that will do the job effectively and correctly.

Consider Other Options

Whether you’re planning your budget or speaking with contractors, you should never be hesitant to consider other options. If the scope for your project is higher than your budget, there are always going to be ways to scale down the project without sacrificing quality.

According to www.housetipster.com, if you’re having difficulties with any aspect of the project, the contractors you interview will likely be able to provide you with some tips that could bring down your costs.

Consider the return of investment for the project. If you plan on making a remodelling project of around £50,000 for a home that’s only valued at £125,000, you’ll likely be putting too much money into the house, which you may not be able to recover if you sell the home in the future.

Talk to Family Members and Consider Leaving Home

If you have young children who will be surprised by how disrupting a remodelling project can be, speak with them beforehand to make sure that they understand the benefits that come with making those changes. You could also consider leaving home while the remodelling project is occurring.

If the project is a small one that will only take a couple of days to complete, you may be able to stay in your home without issue. If the remodels are going to take a few weeks, consider planning a vacation around the project so that you can enjoy yourself while the work is being completed.

Prepare Your Home for Remodelling

There are several things you should do in your home before the start of the project. Move any artwork, electronics, or photos to more secure areas where they won’t become dusty or get broken. You should also cover any large furniture items with plastic or similar coverings to keep dirt and dust particles away. Smaller items of high monetary value should be placed in a safety deposit box. These items include jewellery and cash.

By following these suggestions your remodelling project should be stress-free and you should end up with wonderful results. It’s hard to predict any type of issues that may occur along the away however, these tips will decrease the chances of you having to deal with any problems during the remodelling process.

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Going In With A Plan

If you find a home that’s within your price range but is underwhelming, if you feel you’re able to take on the task of renovating it, or even adding extensions to it, you need to have some sort of plan in place. It’s not just about the budget and keeping within that, but also making sure that you aren’t taken for a ride by the professionals.

After all, if you move into a home that needs a lot of work done to it, you need to work with professionals that can provide a swift turnaround. Instead of working with a cheap builder based a few miles away, working with contemporary architects or at the very least professionals that come recommended by people you trust, will make for a less stressful process.

Understanding The Scope Of The Task

Comparing a fixer-upper to a fully renovated house is unfair. Many people buy a fully renovated house for the reason that they don’t have to do any work to it. If you buy a fixer-upper, you can put your own stamp on it, and you can communicate your personality, as well as it being a very lucrative nest egg.

But for all the positives, you have to understand how difficult it can be to get to this end product. When we buy a fixer-upper, we have to live in it, and this can be very stressful, not just on us, but the other people that have to live there too.

Who Else Is It Going To Affect?

If we have our dream home, albeit in a very subtle manner at this point, it’s going to be a lot of work to get it up to code. This means every spare moment is spent on this house. Many couples don’t survive the task of renovating a home, and if you have family members, do you have to purchase a semi-dilapidated home so you can turn it into your dream property? This is why so many of us opt for the fully renovated property anyway.

Although nowadays there are plenty of companies that do house flipping, if you want to see your dream home through to completion, it’s not the financial implications that need considering, but if you will survive it emotionally. Your own home is something you should have control over, stylistically.

But when the task of renovation dawns on us, this is why it’s important for us to plan every finite detail. And in addition to this, thinking about it over a long time period, rather than setting yourself a strict deadline means that everybody that lives in the house will be better off.

The post The Dilemma… Buy A Renovated House Or Go For A Fixer-Upper? appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

The truth is that there are many ways to ensure that you are making the most of your money, and as long as you take a look at just some of them at least, you should be able to improve your situation massively. We’ve done heaps of research, as we plan our next move after we get back from our honeymoon. Here are the best ways to make your money go further on your next property, no matter what kind of personal situation you might be in.

Save Up Early

One of the simplest and best things you can do here is to simply make sure that you are saving your money as early as possible. If you can do that, you should be able to make sure that you are going to make much more of what you have and be much more likely to get a property you are really happy with as well.

Saving money is something that a lot of people find incredibly hard to do, and generally, you will need to make sure that you are going to approach it from as many angles as possible if you really want to make it work as well as possible for you. Let’s take a look at some of the many ways in which you can save up money. Remember: even the small savings add up to make a huge difference.

For a start, you can easily start saving by thinking about some of the smaller expenses in your life which you can cut down on. Everything, from your mobile phone contract to your grocery bill, can be sliced or halved if you know what you are doing. More often than not, it’s about using your common sense and not allowing the problem to worsen. As long as you know what to do here, you will find that saving money is actually very easy.

You should also think about the larger things, as although the smaller things do save up a lot over time, it is equally as true that the larger savings are going to make an even bigger difference. By saving up early for your next property, you can be sure that it is going to be that much easier. Both in terms of the property itself and all of the various costs associated with moving house, you can be sure that saving money is going to make a huge difference on the whole.

Choose Your Property Wisely

It goes without saying that the property itself makes a huge difference to whether or not you are going to be able to keep your finances intact. There is always the possibility of ensuring that you save money by simply going for a property that is not going to cost you as much, and that is one of the biggest things that you will want to think about.

Choosing your property is something that takes time anyway, and the price is just going to be one of many concerns you are looking out for. But as long as you manage to keep your wits about you, you should find a property that is not going to cost you too much, and which you can hopefully enjoy living in as well. Getting this balance right is always going to be important, so make sure that you are doing whatever you can to make sure it happens.

When you are choosing your property, you should also try to be aware of the different kinds of costs that might be associated with it. Things like the type of heating and whether or not there is a water meter will make a difference to your finances in the long term, so you will benefit from considering these issues as best as you can. As long as you do that, you will find that you can make your money go much further and that you won’t have overlooked any of the important details. This will men\ you are in a much better situation on the whole.

The Location & Your Wallet

One of the biggest concerns in choosing the property, too, is choosing the location, and that is something which you are going to have to consider if you are keen to make this all work as well as possible. Not only does the location affect the price of the property, meaning that you could get a similar property for less money elsewhere, but you also need to think about the general living costs of the place you’re moving to.

This is less of a concern if you are not moving there, but only renting it out of course. But in either case, you should think about the associated costs and how much better or worse it could be in an adjoining town or city. As long as you can do that, your money will automatically go that much further from the outset, as you will be setting yourself up for greater financial success immediately. That will mean that you don’t have to worry quite so much about what is going to happen to your finances when you buy that new house.

Managing The Mortgage

Almost everyone needs to find a mortgage if they are to be able to afford a property, and this is not something you want to rush into or take lightly. This is arguably the biggest loan you will ever take out, and you need to make sure that you are going to get it right if you are to keep your money in the best possible position.

As long as you manage your mortgage well enough, you should find that you can much more easily and effectively keep your money intact in general, so it is worth knowing about how to do so. As it happens, there are a few basic rules of thumb you need to consider if you are going to be able to manage your mortgage as well as possible.

First of all, don’t just go for the first one you come across that accepts you. You need to make sure that you’re getting the best possible deal on the mortgage you find, so it’s worth shopping around for something that is likely to be the best you can find.

Secondly, get clued up on the different kinds of mortgage, most importantly the different kinds of interest rates. A fixed one will not vary at all, but maybe a little higher on average, whereas a variable one will start lower but probably or possibly rise at some point. It’s up to you to decide which of these situations is best for you.

You should also seriously consider looking for a usable housing loan calculator or mortgage calculator so that you can work out exactly how much you would be paying back with any mortgage which you come across. Going through the actual figures and being absolutely certain of them is a hugely important step if you are to try and keep on top of your loan, and if you’re to make your money go as far as you would like to.

Do all this, and you should be able to manage the mortgage much more effectively.

Plan Far Ahead

One of the simplest and yet most effective things to consider as well is to make sure that you are planning out your finances as far ahead as possible. You probably already do this with your basics such as food and bills, so it would be strange not to do it for the largest purchase you will ever make.

If you sometimes struggle to know how to plan far ahead, you might want to think about going out of your way to make a change in that respect from now on.

If you manage to do that, you will almost certainly find that it improves your chances of success with your next property and that you will be that much more likely to keep your finances intact the whole time. This kind of planning is something that can easily make your entire life that much easier and quicker to achieve.

As long as you have taken care of the above, you will find that you can make your money go much further on whatever next property purchase you might make. That will then mean that you can have more money aside for other expenses in your life, which is something that you will need to think about at this time as well.

The post Make Your £££ Go Further On Your Next Property 🤑 appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

The important birthdays stop, birthdays, in general, get much less exciting, and day to day your life changes very little. But, when the milestones come, they are huge, like getting married or having a baby. One such important milestone for many young adults (or even older adults in the current climate) is buying their first house.

Buying your first house is an important step. It’s usually your most expensive and important purchase to date, maybe ever. It’s your chance to make a house your family home, to truly settle in your space and to give yourself financial stability and security in the future.

But, it’s not always easy. Buying a house isn’t quite like buying anything else. There are many steps to take and hoops to jump through before you get the keys to your home and if you’ve always rented before you might have no idea what you are letting yourself in for. There’s plenty of conflicting advice out there, but here’s what you really need to know.

  Thinking of buying a house? Read this before you start looking!

You’ll Need More Than a Deposit

When first-time buyers start looking, they often look at mortgage calculators online, putting in whatever they’ve got saved up as their deposit, without considering the associated costs. In reality, you might have to take around £5,000 out of your savings to cover the other costs of buying a home.

Conveyancing searches can cost up to £600; legal fees might set you back a further £1500, you’ll need to pay bank transfer fees and around £150 for a valuation for your lender.

There’ll also be mortgage arrangement fees of up to £2,000, a booking fee of between £100 and £250, survey costs vary depending what you want but could be over £1,000 and then there’s the cost of actually moving all of your positions and covering the notice period on your rental.

This extra money can be the difference between getting approved for a mortgage and not. So, it’s important to take them into account when you are making your calculations and save for them separately if you need to.

It Takes Longer than You Think

When you are renting, it can be tempting to give notice to your landlord as soon as you have an offer on a purchase approved. Don’t do this. It can take a lot longer than you might think.

Once you’ve found a solicitor, they’ll have to prove your identity, and there’ll be paperwork to fill in and certify before they even start their searches. Then, these can take up to six weeks to come back, and you never know what they might find. Your survey might also reveal problems that lead to further negotiations.

Even if everything runs smoothly, the vendor might be waiting for their own purchase to complete before they can move out of the home that you are buying. It’s not uncommon to wait up to six months between first viewing your home and moving in.

You’ll Forget What It Looks Like

You may view a house once before you move in. Sometimes twice. But rarely more than this. You can go months before seeing your future home for more than a quick visit. You’ll start making plans for new furniture you want to buy and where you are going to put things.

Over time you’ll start to doubt yourself. You’ll forget exactly what shapes the rooms are, or how big things are. When you get the keys and spend proper time there without an estate agent or vendor, you might find it doesn’t look quite how you remember. So, try not to buy too much beforehand.

There’s Lots of Waiting

During the searches and surveys stage of making a purchase, you’ll spend a lot of time just waiting. You won’t have a moving date to tell people when they ask, you won’t know what’s happened, and there can be weeks at a time when you hear nothing. This can be frustrating, but a lot is going on behind the scenes.

If you want an update or any information don’t hesitate to ring your solicitor. Remember, you are paying for their services so don’t worry about making contact. Then, suddenly everything will happen in one go, and the wait will be over.

The post The Things First Time Buyers Really Need To Know appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

Below are five simple but effective foolproof ways to properly stage any home. These helpful tips will work for any homeowner when prepping for a sale.

Boost Curb Appeal

Style and appeal don’t just happen on the inside of a home. It also happens on the outside. Take a walk across the street, and look at your home from afar. Does it have curb appeal? If not, make a list of the areas you see that need work and prioritize them because the exterior is the first thing people see and can really make or break a sale.

There are easy ways to boost curb appeal. Landscaping is a great place to start, especially if you have a unique pathway that leads up to your front door. Accentuate it with rose bushes or potted plants. If it’s fall, line trendy pumpkins along the walkway, mixed with orange and red flowers. Instantly enhance your home’s appearance if you paint your front door a bold color or replace it completely to draw attention to that part of your home. This will also increase resale value.

Boosting curb appeal is also as simple as replacing your old mailbox or installing outdoor lighting or spotlights.

  Add Some Curb Appeal To Your Home

Give Your Home a Deep Clean

This doesn’t mean you should just put away the dishes, take out the trash and clean the toilets. Your home will need a head-to-toe intensive cleaning — everything from the walls to the baseboards to your appliances. It’s a good idea to hire a cleaning company for your initial deep clean, then once that’s done, you can keep up with it easier.

A deep clean also includes the exterior of your home, so if your sidewalks or driveway are badly discolored or stained, hire a pressure washer. The main goal is to eliminate all dust, dirt, and grime from the premises — inside and out.

Practice Feng Shui

When you hear the term feng shui, you likely think about peace and order within your surroundings. That is exactly what you’re trying to create when you practice feng shui in your home, especially when staging it. Create a harmonious environment by putting an emphasis on good lighting (hint: visit Lights, for some amazing interior pieces), which will unleash positive energy out into your home. Let in as much natural light as possible to create a warm, welcoming feeling.

Open your windows to purify the air and let out any stuffiness you may feel. Plants absorb toxins and pollutants, so choose a few larger plants to strategically place around the house, as smaller plants may feel like clutter. Add a fountain to your foyer or living room area to create a serene and relaxing environment upon entry.

Think about where you position your furniture, decor, and art prints, as this will have a huge impact.

Declutter

There’s a reason why all of the homes you see on HGTV practice a minimalist approach when it comes to décor — because it’s more attractive in general, especially to potential buyers. You want them to see your home, not the pile of old magazines you have strewn about your coffee table or the overstuffed coat rack you have when you walk into the foyer.

  How To Declutter (Almost) Instantly

Create a structured system that works for you. Take it one space at a time — room by room or section by section. You can even start with the most high-trafficked areas first, then move on to the rest. Whichever route you choose, it’s important to focus on one space at a time and its contents. Ask yourself — do you need it? Do you use it? If the answer is no, it’s time to either donate it or trash it.

Practice this strategy throughout your home until you feel your living space has grown and your load has lightened. Not only does less clutter have more visual appeal, but it also has mental appeal, as the anxiety and stress that comes from disorganization and clutter will disappear.

If you find decluttering difficult, try some storage ideas to cleanse your room!

Rearrange Your Furniture

When it comes to your furniture, less is more — and your buyers are going to want square footage, not tons of seating. Leave enough space for the buyer to imagine their own furniture inside of the house. Remove any unnecessary pieces that may clutter your living room, kitchen, or bedrooms. Keep it simple and relaxed. This includes the removal of family pictures or personal items. You can add personality with wall art – think of your home as a freshly cleaned hotel suite, and stage it that way.

There are ways to enhance space with furniture. After all, it’s about how the buyer will perceive each space. Choose a focal point for each room. Will it be the oversized antique sofa against the wall or the grand piano in front of your striking bay window? In this case, you want to draw attention to the bay window, so your focal point should be the piano — therefore you should choose a less extravagant seating piece.

Remember to also keep traffic patterns in mind. Rooms need clear pathways and entryways. A couple of other tips to remember — don’t be afraid to set up a couple of seating areas off the wall to create a comfortable area for conversation. Keep rooms balanced with the correct sized furniture and the proper amount. You don’t want one side of a room cluttered up with chunky oversized furniture, and the other practically bare, with only a couple of small side tables and a small armchair.

  3 Common Home Interior Mistakes To Avoid

Successful staging is the key to selling your home, so make the task at hand seriously. Start with the above simple but effective ways you can properly stage your home yourself without hiring a professional staging company. Remember, square footage is important to all buyers, so enlarge your space as much as possible. Less is more. You want to leave room for your buyer’s imagination.

The post 5 Simple But Effective Ways To Properly Stage Your Home appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

The next option is a flat: which is great, but flats can often feel cramped and dingy. This doesn’t have to be the case, as you’ll see, even if the tiniest properties can feel spacious. If you haven’t ever thought of living in a flat, by the end of this post you’ll want to pack your bags and move in.

Safe and secure property

When you move into a building with a flat, you will live under Property Management. This means that a group of people own the building and are solely responsible for making sure that you and all of the other residents are happy and safe at all times. This means that they will dedicate their time and resources to good security doors, alarm systems and privacy for all people who live there. It takes the worry off you and gives you the peace of mind you need in your home.

Convenience

flats are one of the most convenient types of property you can buy. The reason for this is that they are usually located in the middle of the city near to transport links, shops and other amenities. They are also run by a board of people meaning that you don’t need to worry about taking care of the maintenance and other small jobs in your home because everything is taken care of.

Great amenities

Do you know when you go abroad and stay in a really fancy hotel which has a gym, a spa, and a communal garden? Well, how about having these amenities available to you every single day? Every flat building has a whole host of amenities that are there for all residents of the building. It means that you can live in your own private space, but also enjoy getting to know your neighbours while using the gym, the pool, and even the rooftop observatory which some buildings offer.

Fitness motivation

The amazing thing about being in a communal building is the fact that you don’t travel to go to the gym. It means that when you are on that health kick in the springtime you don’t have to roll out of bed at 5am to get in the gym before work. You can simply get up, go downstairs and you will have all of the facilities you need to keep yourself fit and healthy.

  5 Design Tips To Make The Most Of A Small Bedroom

Great investment

Flats are a great way to invest your money because they don’t cost the earth and they will always be increasing in value. A flat is a type of property which many people want to live in, and this means that you will never have a problem selling it on and making yourself a good profit. You can even decide to rent out your flat to holidaymakers and you will get a great return on this during the summer months.

The post Why You Should Consider Buying a Flat Instead Of a House appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.