Home Improvement Checklist

6 Questions to Ask Before Your Next Home Project

No one likes to begin a project just to find out that you hadn’t properly prepared. Whether due to excitement to begin, a rush to get it over with or anything in between, with home projects especially, it’s extra important to do your homework before you begin.

My husband and I have done our share of home improvements, and we quickly learned the importance of getting a permit for anything you have done to your house. We found this out the hard way, when we found several improvements that the previous owner did not get permits for.

Here are just a few simple questions to ask yourself before undertaking any kind of home improvement project.

1. Will this project increase the value of my home too much? According to QuadCitiesRealEstate.com, it makes sense to do a large-scale home project like a room addition if the value of your home after the project comes within five to 10 percent of the most valuable homes in your neighborhood. You don’t want your home to be more valuable than the current top-tier homes in your area because you may not see the return you want if you decide to sell. On the flip side, you also wouldn’t want to do a costly home project just to find out that it hasn’t increased your home value at all.

2. Do I need a permit? While some home projects don’t require city permits, many do. You can incur some costly fines if you begin a project on your home without the proper permits from your city. Browse your city’s website or call their office to make sure you have the proper permission to begin whatever project you’re planning next.

3. Am I following code? Along the same lines as getting the permits you need, it’s equally important to ensure that whatever project you start follows the correct city codes. These rules are intended to keep you and your home safe and free of all potential danger. When in doubt, contact a local, licensed general contractor for advice. Even if you’re not planning to hire him, he’ll probably be able to point you in the right direction for the code information you need.

4. Am I taking proper safety precautions? Whether it’s a job you plan to do yourself or one that requires a professional, it’s extremely important to take the necessary steps to keep everyone working on your job safe. From wearing proper safety gear to making sure that the contractors you hire are properly insured, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

5. Am I doing my part to sustain the environment? There are so many “green” options when it comes to home improvement, interior design and home building these days. So, do your part to find eco-friendly ways to complete the jobs you’ve started. And the best part – the costs to keep your home energy-efficient, sustainable and “green” don’t have to be any more costly than their eco-unfriendly counterparts.

6. Have I found the right financing solution for me? And lastly, before you begin any project that requires you to borrow the funds necessary to complete it, make sure you find the right financing solution to fit your needs best. Using a credit card or personal loan isn’t your only payment option. You can use the equity you’ve built in your home to take out a home equity line of credit. That way, you’ll have the funds available to use as you need them. An equity line of credit is a great option to have available during home improvements, when the financial flexibility that only a line of credit can offer can help take care of unexpected expenses.

Although my husband and I have never had an equity line of credit, it is nice to know that it is available if  we ever need it.

Whenever you start a home improvement project, there are always things to consider. These are just
six questions to ask yourself that could keep you from wasting time and money in the long run. So, start smart and be sure to properly plan for whatever home endeavor lies ahead of you.

*Although this is a partnered/sponsored post, the story above are is my own.