If you have been wanting to remodel your Florida home, there are several considerations that you should spend some time thinking about before moving forward to do so. For example, knowing what you want and how you will pay for it are major components of any successful remodeling project. To make sure your plans go as smoothly as possible, be sure to consider these top seven important factors for Florida home remodels.
1. Design Inspiration
Before making any changes to your home, you need to think about how you want it to look and function. To avoid overwhelming yourself, start by thinking about one or two areas that you want to focus on remodeling. For example, if you want to change the front appearance of your home, you could consider new patio enclosures Florida or a different style of shutters. To get ideas for inspiration, pick up a couple of home designer magazines from the grocery store or start a Pinterest board today.
2. Budget
All the plans in the world will not be of any use if you cannot pay for the items you need to complete your remodeling project. For this reason, you should start with your budget in mind from the very beginning- especially before you start spending money. When in the middle of remodeling, it can be easy to overspend if you are not careful. Make sure to budget appropriately and separate your regular funds from remodeling ones.
3. Space and Square Footage
Something else to think about for your home remodeling endeavor is how much space you need after it is complete. If you are trying to increase space, maybe there is an option to combine rooms or remove a wall. You can also add to an existing structure, depending on the square footage around your foundation. For space planning, it can be helpful to consider how your life might look in the next ten years. Do you expect your household makeup to change? What about your daily routine?
4. Wood Type
All types of wood are not the same. This is especially true when it comes to home-building materials and termite preferences. Although you may already like certain wood finishes better than others for aesthetic reasons, there are more serious downsides to consider outside of appearances. There are also factors such as powder post beetles and wood decay fungi to consider. For the best chances of avoiding these problems, look for non-toxic salt treatments that can act as insecticides to protect your property.
5. Flood Zone Warnings
How much rainfall does the location of your home receive every year? Depending on where you are, you may also need to think about flood zone warnings. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, there are limits on the number of improvements that homeowners can make on properties that are located in flood zones. Otherwise, FEMA says you may need need to raise your foundation.
6. Building Permits
Another consideration that can vary based on location is building permits. In Florida and many other states, you need one type of permit if you are remodeling a residential home and another kind for commercial business remodels. If you plan on doing the remodeling yourself, be sure to thoroughly research the permits that you will need; if you are going to work with a professional construction team, make sure the company has the correct permits as well.
7. DIY or Hire a Professional
Speaking of DIY or hiring a professional, this is one more top consideration that you should think about before you dive into your project. In general, DIY remodeling tends to be more cost-effective, but the quality comes down to your skill levels with home projects. Mistakes from inexperience can also be costly, so make sure you know what you are doing before you tear out your living room wall.
Remodeling your home can have many benefits. By carefully thinking about considerations such as these before beginning your project, you can ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible.
