In our line of work, we are constantly interacting with people who are either thinking about refreshing their home in some manner, are in the midst of doing so, or have just done so and are perhaps looking for “the finishing touches”. This means we also meet a lot folks who have or are about to make some very costly or frustrating mistakes.
If you’re thinking about investing in your home, ask yourself these questions and consider the value of hiring an experienced professional to guide you through the process with ease.
What’s our real budget?
Ok, so you might be thinking this is a no brainer – of course everyone thinks about their budget before taking on a home project. While this might be true, what we see consistently is a few scenarios:
- Not accounting for their renovation costing more than expected (which, let’s face it – is usually the case)
- Not taking into consideration the total cost including furniture, lighting, rugs, artwork, drapery, etc.
A phenomenon we have seen first hand more and more over the past several years is renovations completely eating up the furniture, lighting, and decor budget. So, by the time the clients come to us, they have now spent all their money and have very little left to actually furnish their space – leading to an underwhelming result. Your budget should include everything needed to make the vision come to life – otherwise you might have some really nice countertops next to some sad and tired furniture.
Many folks severely underestimate how much furniture, drapery, and lighting cost these days. Just like everything else in the world, prices have gone up significantly, and when you multiply this across multiple items and multiple rooms… it really does add up.
You should be hiring a designer or decorator to consult on furnishings before you begin your renovation (even if you aren’t using one for the reno itself.) They will not only help you understand the true cost of your project, they can create a plan to help you stick to your initial vision. This way, you can either augment your renovation budget to accommodate your furnishings budget, or wait until you can afford to both to the degree you desire.
Of course, if you need even more guidance, they can also consult with you and your contractor and aid you in decision making throughout the duration of your renovation. This helps avoid costly mistakes and the regretful “wish we had/hadn’t done that but it’s too late now” plight (we see this far too often.)
This point also applies to a redecorating project where only the furnishings are needed and there is no renovation required. Once again, underestimating the entire budget can lead to frustration and disappointment. Let’s say you are really itching to redecorate your living room, dining room, and primary bedroom – but once you start shopping and crunch the numbers, it’s turns out it’s going to cost two to four times what you expected.
Our advice in this situation is always to finish one room before moving onto the next. There’s nothing worse than having spent valuable time, energy, and money on a decorating project and still have the feeling of your space being unfinished. Much of the “wow” factor comes from the finishing details like artwork, lighting, drapery, and accessories – without these, the results may be underwhelming.
A professional can help you budget accordingly, create a plan, and help you actually stick to that plan to ensure the results match the vision.
Do we actually need to start from scratch?
You might be looking around at your space and feeling deflated, knowing that you need a change but not knowing where to start. In some cases, you might need (or want) a complete overhaul – and we can certainly help with that!
However, it might be the case that you actually need is a refresh with the help of a few key pieces. You would be amazed at how much impact a coat of paint, a new rug, lighting, and some artwork can have on a tired room.
Sometimes, this can actually be more overwhelming than starting from scratch and giving yourself a clean slate to work with. The questions begin to swirl around in your head… which pieces do I keep? Donate? Recover? How do I update my space while retaining it’s character and marrying the new with the old.
Yes – it’s a lot to think about, but with the right guidance, this approach can save you quite a bit of money in the long run. We actively encourage our clients to keep many of their existing pieces and find ways to work them into the design scheme (in some cases, they even become the star of the show.)
If you’ve purchased good quality furniture or decor in the past and cared for it, chances are it will last for many decades. Timeless, classic pieces will transcend the trend cycle, and with the right updates, transition with you into a new era.
Where will we be in 5 years?
This is a scenario we find many of our 50-70 year old clients facing – the urge to freshen up their home, coupled with the uncertainty of where they will be in the next five or so years.
At this stage in life, the ever present questions regarding downsizing loom – making it challenging to move forward with home projects. On one hand, you want to enjoy and be comfortable where you are, but on the other hand, why invest money in a home that you may not be in five years from now? This is a tricky dilemma, no doubt about it.
Generally speaking, we would advice clients in this situation to adopt this framework:
- Determine both a total budget and a separate budget they feel comfortable with for things they can’t take with them (flooring, wallpaper, trim work, etc.)
- Limit major purchases when possible to items that will transition to another space (aka not super specific to the space such as a sectional or oversized rug)
- Speak with a realtor before making modifications specifically in the interest of resale value
- Decide what elements they can live without changing vs. which they are desperate to update
There is no reason to be stuck living in a home that doesn’t inspire you and create joy. When you think about how much time you spend in your home, and how it directly affects your mood – it’s so worth the investment to have your home reflect your current personal taste. However, as you approach a time of transition, it’s imperative you spend with care and intention to ensure that you don’t end up with buyers remorse.
With this approach, not only will you be able to love the space you currently live in, when you do end up moving, you’ll feel good about making another round of investments to new space knowing money wasn’t wasted.
When do we want/need this project completed?
If you have a deadline for the completion of your home project, keep in mind the various wait times involved. You could be waiting several months after you sign a contract before demolition even starts, and then depending on the scope of work, crew size, and material availability (especially if you are very particular about what you want), the actual renovation could take anywhere from several weeks to several months.
In our experience, most people understand this part of the process to a certain degree, but underestimate lead times for furnishings after they renovate.
- Sofas & Chairs: 8 – 12 weeks
- Drapery: 4-8 weeks
- Rugs: 2-4 weeks
- Lighting: 2 weeks
- Casegoods: 8-12 weeks
All of these timelines are banking on the fact there are no backordered items, in which case you need to prepare yourself to either reselect or wait until that item is back in stock.
If you are working with a designer or decorator, they can assist you in ordering all the furniture and finishing touches while your renovation is underway (or before it’s even started) to ensure all lead times are aligned with your expectations and needs.
The bottom line is, whether you’re looking to undertake a renovation or go forward with a decorating project, it’s imperative that you have a clear vision, realistic expectations, and full understanding of the scope of your project before you begin. Hiring an expert can mean the difference between disappointment and satisfaction, between frustration and peace of mind.
Browse our Design Services or call and chat about your next project (905) 668 – 3483.
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