Where to Start? How to Choose Your First Renovation Project

Living

You found a house, signed the papers, and got a mortgage. You moved all your stuff in. Now, you may be standing in the middle of your space and wondering: What do I renovate first?

It can be hard to know where to start. Do you tackle the kitchen? Attack the dated bathroom? Update the basement? Rip up the carpet and install new floorings?

There are some key questions you need to ask yourself to figure it out. Here’s how to choose where to begin your first renovation project.

Where Do You Begin Your Renovation Project? Ask These 3 Questions First

If you ask the right questions, you’ll be able to lay out a smart plan for renovating your home. Don’t jump into it blindly – plan what you need to do, and balance that with what you want to do.

1. What’s Your Ultimate Goal?

Think about your goals for this house before you dive into making a decision.

Are you planning on reselling within a few years? Or are you in it for the long haul? If resale is in your not-so-distant future, you need to make upgrades that will ultimately benefit the sale.

On the other hand, if you’re turning your new house into your forever home, you can approach things differently. You can update more slowly with a longer timeline, and you can make more personal choices when it comes to finishes.

2. What Needs Immediate Attention?

Does the ceiling have water damage? Is the heating/cooling system 30 years old? Are your windows ancient and leaking air?

If you have pressing problems like these, you should address them first. Not only will you be making your house sound, you’ll start saving some money sooner if you make energy-efficient upgrades. Examples include new windows with glass that blocks radiant heat, or an efficient HVAC system.

3. What’s Bothering You the Most Right Now?

If nothing needs obvious, immediate attention, focus on the aspects of your home that bother you most. Do you hate walking into your kitchen and cooking because it’s so dated? Is your bathroom shower ridiculously small and inconvenient?

If you tackle what you dislike the most first, you will start loving your home. This will get you motivated to keep going with more renovation projects.

Determine Where to Begin Your First Renovation Project – Ask the Right Questions

Your new house is teeming with possibilities. The only way to figure out where to begin your renovation project is to think about your goals, your immediate concerns, and what you want to change immediately.

Balancing these three factors can help you choose the right path to take for your remodel. You’ll figure how which room to start with and where to go from there.