Before you resign yourself to the idea that you’re not ready or renovation isn’t worth it check these myths to see how you may be able to accomplish what you need by looking at it differently.
There’s no good contractors out there
This is one of the standard responses that I hear when talking to people about renovating. Oddly enough, many of these people haven’t even tried to find a contractor yet. They’ve just heard from other people that its a challenge. Everything I share is what I know from personal experience. Do bad contractors exist? Yes Are there contractors who will meet with you and then never send you their bid? For sure. Are there good contractors? Yes. One of the things that sets good contractors apart from bad is the process you go through before you start working with them.
When it comes to bad contractors who take too long, never finish, disappear or didn’t do the work like they were supposed to. While this can happen its usually because the person who hired them wasn’t clear.
Nothing is foolproof but there are definitely ways that you can work to set things up to be as successful as possible from the very beginning.
It’s too expensive to do a renovation
Spending on a renovation could certainly spiral out of control. However, that amount can be managed by knowledge. So before you decide that a renovation is out of reach consider doing some research. Some kitchens are desperately in need of any improvement no matter how small. I’ve live in houses with the ugliest of ugly kitchens. Even at their worst, I made small changes like adding backsplash, new appliances or painting cabinets. When getting maximum value for resale, like with a flip, there are budget friendly ways to do an entirely new kitchen if you research your material selections.
You need to hire a designer
As someone who has no formal training in construction or design I can assure you that specialized skills are not a requirement for a kitchen renovation. All that is needed is a sketch with a few measurements like the length of walls and any windows or doorways. Once you have that basic information you can easily sit down at a big box home improvement store and have a plan created. Using the standard cabinet sizes they’ll put an entire cabinet list together for you. Once you have that, you’ll be able to compare pricing for cabinetry to make the best choice for your renovation project.
I can do this all myself
If you are one of the fortunate people who has the type of experience that is needed for renovation then go for it. Even if this is you, make sure you bring in other “experts” when it comes time for the specialized details like significant plumbing, electrical and HVAC tasks. During home inspections these items may be inquired about and a permit requested to make sure the work was completed to code. By following the proper guidelines from the start you will be saving yourself from considerable headache in the future.
Whatever type of renovation you are planning make sure to address any deferred maintenance issues first. A kitchen renovation won’t be as valuable if the roof is leaking and the windows are old and not functioning. Make sure to first prioritize those items so the home is protected.
Ready to take that next step when it comes to flipping?
That’s why I’ve got additional resources to help you get the information you need to move forward on creating your flipping life.
Make sure you have the Fixer Upper Checklist so you know which areas are key to added value in a home.
There are several videos available on finding houses, renovations, and funding on the Threshold Homes YouTube Channel. Check out your favorite flipping topics and new videos weekly.
You can’t close a successful and profitable flip unless you start. What is your biggest challenge is with getting started house flipping? I’m here to help.
Amber
Want to buy a property and renovate it?
I have a freebie checklist that will help you — 8 Things I look for When Purchasing a Home. Just click here to download it.
Love before and afters?
Follow us on IG @thresholdhomesmn and FB @thresholdhomesmn to see the projects we’re working on. And for more ideas on renovating & restoring fixer-uppers!
Looking to buy a house to renovate? Check out the fixer upper checklist to help you find the house with the most “flip” potential.
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