Many people think that building a brand-new house is not easy, but it is actually even harder to renovate an old home to suit your preferences. With renovation, a homeowner will not really have the freedom to build just about anything he or she wants; the new plan will have to take into consideration existing designs, plumbing and electrical wiring systems, the current space and other structural components that cannot be altered. This is particularly true for apartments and condominiums as walls for these structures cannot be knocked down. To help homeowners create a space that is truly their own, here are five tips for house and apartment renovation that homeowners can use:

Plan your renovations ahead of time.Before you even embark on a search for contractors and materials, take a moment to figure out first what you really want or need for your home. Do you need to redesign only small portions of the house or do you want every single room to look new? Do you just need to replace or remove a few fixtures or knock down a whole room? Knowing exactly what you need will help you save more time and money during the construction process later.

Research and get as many recommendations for contractors as you can. The contractor you work with will influence the quality of renovations, how much you spend and whether things will go smoothly or not. As such, it’s best to choose one you can work with and who also understands and prioritises your needs and budget.

Set a budget and try to stick with it. Clearly discuss with your contractor how much you are willing to spend for a renovation and what you can expect with your budget. This can help you from overspending later on, especially if you only plan to renovate small spaces in your home.

Don’t be too ambitious or trendy with your designs. This is particularly important if you are planning on selling your property later on. Updating your home can help increase its appeal, but take care not to be too quirky with your chosen design at this can make it difficult to sell. In addition, choosing highly ambitious designs can lead to larger renovation expenses. For instance, kitchen renovations, homeowners should only involve simple fixes, such as replacement of out-dated or unappealing counters or cabinets as this is enough to make the room look attractive enough for selling.

Consider your future needs. Future-proofing your new designs will help prevent additional renovations later on. For bathroom renovations, designers recommend incorporating safety features that may be useful if you have children later on or if there is an elderly person living with you.