PLANNING is the first step towards a successful renovation. You’re probably planning improvements all the time and just don’t realize it. For example, if you think you don’t have enough kitchen cabinets or enough counter space, you’ve already started planning a kitchen renovation.

IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY with the layout of a room or the number of rooms, you have begun a major improvement plan. Once you start to visualize things the way you’d really like, you’ve started planning improvements.

You’ve probably had some improvement projects in mind for a while, if only you knew how and where to start, and how much these ideas would cost. A good way to start is to inspect and appraise the home like you’ve probably never done before: view the home as if you were tomorrow’s prospective buyer.

UNCOMFORTABLE FLOOR PLAN? Does everyone stomp on the hall rug going in and out of the house? Do you have to walk through the living room to get to the base?

WASTED SPACE? Can you get an extra room in the basement or attic? Would the veranda look better closed? Could you turn the garage into a game room or workshop?

MINOR ANNOUNCEMENTS? Do the doors open incorrectly? Missing add-ons where you need them? Enough storage space? Do you have trouble heating some areas when it’s cold?

DISGUSTING DECOR? Does each room look as good as it could? Does a room need paint, wallpaper or a new floor covering? More or less lighting?

IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED? Broken tiles, cracked mortar, leaking plumbing? Cracked walls and ceilings? Electrical wiring in good condition? Are you getting the best possible performance from your heating system?

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

When your inspection is complete, you will have an overall plan for improvement. It will probably be too extensive and too expensive to accomplish all at once. Decide what you hope to achieve with the finished work and how you want it to look. Prioritize all your project ideas.

WITH THIS INFORMATION, you can wisely approach a contractor to discuss the project, or you can start planning to do all or part of the work yourself.