Remodeling can improve your house’s market value and make it more comfortable to live in. Making informed decisions early on in the planning stage is crucial to a successful remodeling project. To do this, you must assess your home’s existing features to determine how the remodel may impact its aesthetics and functionality.
Before remodeling your house, you should consider the HVAC system, the available space, the flooring, and the layout. Pay attention to the features listed above and include them in your plans. This will help you avoid delays, complications, and disruptions during your remodel.
Check Your HVAC System
The HVAC system in your home is essential to maintaining a comfortable and livable home temperature. Consider the HVAC system to see if it is compatible with the remodel.
Central ducted cooling systems circulate air while an evaporator coil cools the air in your furnace. The cooled air is distributed throughout your home through ducts. A traditional HVAC system requires an outdoor unit with an evaporator, a furnace, and a complex network of ducts.
Assess your HVAC system before remodeling. If you plan on remodeling a part of the ductwork, you may want to consider a multi-zone mini split AC. It will improve your home’s cooling efficiency, lower your utility bills, and give it a fresh, new look.
Consider the Home Layout
Consider the current layout of your home before finalizing remodeling plans. Modern homes have spacious layouts with an open feel that allows the house to flow. The kitchen, dining, and living rooms are the most obvious examples of this design. This design also creates multifunctional areas that make it easier to move from room to room.
Open floor plans can increase the value of your home by 7.4% each year. It’s important to think about whether your remodel will obstruct the open floor plan or if you can create more space by remodeling your older home.
The number of floors in your home should also be considered when planning the layout of your remodel. The load-bearing support of homes with more than one floor is designed to hold the upper levels. It is important to consult an engineer or contractor to determine where it’s safe to remove partitions and walls to create an Open Floor Plan.
If you already have a home, you might want to consider adding a second level. A second floor can add value to your property and give you more living space without taking up any more land.
Assess available space
It’s important to consider the space available in your home before you start remodeling. Do you have enough space to accomplish your goals? If you plan to add a bathroom to your main bedroom, you will need to determine if the space is large enough to accommodate a bathtub, a shower, a sink, and a toilet.
For smaller renovations, you can measure your space. Measure the doorways, ceiling height, square footage, and wall width. Measure the items and appliances you plan to install. Using a room-planning app, you can create an approximate layout of the remodel and estimate whether or not the remodel will be feasible in the area.
Home Insulation
When remodeling older homes, it is important to remember that they were built with less insulation. It is possible that the insulation may not last as long as it should. This could be because there is not enough density or thickness or that it was not installed correctly. After 15 years, insulation can start to degrade and begin to fall off fiberglass batts, which could compromise your insulation setup and be harmful to your health.
Hire a technician to perform an energy audit before you begin the remodeling project. The audit will help you determine your home’s energy efficiency and which areas should be better insulated or sealed. Use the results of your energy audit to guide your remodeling.
Better insulation will maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of your AC. A well-insulated home can also reduce your heating and cooling bills. Insulate your renovated home with eco-friendly materials like cellulose fibers, wool, rigid or flexible cork, and denim.
Repair the Flooring
The flooring is a must-have for all newer homes. In many homes built in the last 50 years, you’ll find linoleum with outdated patterns and colors, as well as shag carpet. This type of flooring may be cheap and durable, but you will want to change it during a remodel. Replace your old linoleum, shag carpet, or other flooring with beautiful neutral-toned tile or hardwood, or laminate floors to give your home a modern and comfortable feel.
Take a few minutes to evaluate the current flooring in your home before you begin remodeling. Consider the humidity levels of the rooms you are planning to remodel. Choose tiles, vinyl panels, or laminates that are resistant to moisture.
Consider whether there are layers of carpet, linoleum, or hardwood underneath your existing floor. Sometimes, beautiful hardwood flooring is hidden under the carpet. It is best to hire a professional to help you determine what’s under your existing floor. They can also advise on how to modify the area according to your needs.
Improve Your Comfort and Home’s Value
If you take the time to consider the features that a house must have before remodeling, you will end up with a newly remodeled home that is more comfortable and attractive. It also increases the value of your home. Planning your remodel will ensure that it goes smoothly and meets your expectations.