When Should You Remodel– Before or After Moving In?
At Ability Remodeling, we have helped countless homeowners with their renovation projects throughout the years. The truth is, no home is ever perfect right away. However, with a little change and upgrades, it can be. Maybe it’s creating that dream bathroom you’ve been envisioning, designing the perfect kitchen to cook family meals, or configuring the ideal space to host friends and loved ones. Whatever it is, when you move into a new home, chances are you already have renovation projects in mind.
But when is the right time to do those renovations? Does it make more sense to tackle them before you move into your new home or after you have already settled in? The answer varies depending on your situation, so let’s look at the factors to consider before making your decision.
Time Considerations
Renovations don’t magically happen overnight. They take time and hard work to ensure they are done correctly. Depending on the project, the timeline can vary from a few weeks to a few months. This is something to consider when deciding when to start. When buying a new home, it’s hard not to get excited and move right in. However, if you have a good temporary living option, it may be smart to get the remodel done beforehand.
Typically, renovations take longer after moving in due to the restrictions of working around a lived-in space. If you have your eye set on a particular change, a good rule of thumb is to do your homework on the project ahead of time to see if completing it before moving in makes more sense for your living situation.
Cost Considerations
Cost and time go hand in hand. Normally, the longer a project takes, the more it will cost. As mentioned earlier, projects tend to take longer when the home is occupied. However, doing a project prior to moving in means considering the cost of temporary living. Paying two mortgages or rent on top of your new mortgage is not always doable.
Lowering financial stress is often the driving factor behind many projects. It is recommended that you have a firm grasp on the cost considerations before making your decision. Only you know what is financially best for you; make your decision accordingly.
Living Considerations
The reality is, no matter when you choose to do your renovations, your current living situation will be impacted. It might mean living out of a suitcase a little longer than you planned, or it could mean losing temporary access to your kitchen or bathroom. Families with kids and pets will need to take different measures than homeowners who don’t have those responsibilities.
Whatever your situation, it’s important to know upfront that your living situation will be impacted, one way or another. These considerations will no doubt factor into your decision of whether to remodel before or after moving in.
Every Situation is Different
No matter what your current situation is, only you can know whether it makes more sense to do your renovations before moving into a new home or after you’ve settled in. With a good understanding of all the factors that play a part in every renovation, you’ll be prepared to make the smartest decision.
Whatever your decision is, Ability Remodeling is here to make your project go as smoothly and professionally as possible so you can start living in the home of your dreams.
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