The old saying “If You Fail to Plan, You Plan to Fail” couldn’t be more appropriate when it comes to home remodeling projects. In Italy, we call a failed plan “un fallimento” and while these words are of course more beautiful (and dramatic!) in Italian, it’s still the last thing you want for your home remodel.
The three things you need to remodel your home without the drama of disasters are:
- A vision
- A budget
- A team you can trust
Creating Your Vision
Whatever way you approach visualizing your home remodel – one thing is absolutely crucial. Don’t make decisions based on other people’s homes or what the trends say (except for what we say, of course 🙂). You can use inspiration from these sources but the most critical thing is that you design your home for YOUR life. Specifically, design your home for the flow of your life. How are spaces in your home used, or how do you wish they were used? What are your favorite things to do at home? What types of gatherings do you like to host? Get clear on what you want before seeking outside inspiration.
Another tip is to get visual. You can go full-on with a vision board (a classic way is either on Pinterest or on paper) or you can keep it simple with a file. Start collecting ideas you love. Make a few notes on why you love certain spaces and designs.
At NOLI we work with clients who already have a vision as well as with clients who need our help in creating the vision for their home remodel.
Defining Your Budget
Along with a budget, you also need to define scope and a timeline. I’m going to say the thing nobody ever says: to plan a high-end residential kitchen remodel your budget is at least $75k. It’s possible for other projects – like a small bathroom remodel – your budget could be less. For a large kitchen remodel, start with $75k and use scope and timeline to define further.
The scope of your home remodeling project should be as defined as possible. Of course, you need to leave room for flexibility and the unexpected but getting clear on the scope of your project upfront will save you a lot of time and prevent headaches later. Our team can help you define a scope that is a balance between achievable and ambitious.
The timeline for your project should include milestones along the way as well as the final ideal deadline. Once you find a trusted partner to work with on your project, you can map out specific timeframes and what is reasonable depending on sourcing, suppliers, and other factors.
Should you stay in your home during a remodel project? This is a question that often comes up. We usually recommend you stay in your home assuming you have enough functioning space to live in that is far enough away from the action. If that’s not the case, maybe it’s a good time for that bucket list trip – or to visit your in-laws!
Finding a Team You Can Trust
The NOLI team is super proud to have worked with dozens of families in the greater Cincinnati area to help them plan the home remodel of their dreams. Below are a few factors we recommend looking for in a partner for your project:
- Reliability, and trustworthiness, with references and a portfolio of case studies
- Alignment on overall style – for example, NOLI works with clients who are looking for modern Italian design
- Sourcing compatibility – for example, NOLI works with established Italian brands with superior artisan craftsmanship
You’ve no doubt heard home renovation horror stories (we have too!). Avoid a nightmare and plan the remodeling project of your dreams by using these three trade secrets: create your vision, define your budget (and scope), and find a team you trust.
