Having your own space where you can be as queer and as open as you want is one of the biggest blessings for all LGBTQ couples. However, no matter how great your space was at the beginning of your life together, it probably suffered some damage during past home parties and the long lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. Now, it’s time to refresh your queer nest and give it a new trendy vibe. Renovations are super fun but also expensive, so here’s how to manage your budget and not get carried away with all the fabulous improvements.
Do some inspection
If you’re looking to build some additions on your property and extend your living space, start by inspecting your home’s foundation. Some homes can’t be expanded due to damage. This damage can be repaired, but make sure to invite experts who will tell you how much money and time would it take to fix it. In many cases, it’s cheaper to retain your original footprint if you have a damaged foundation.
Consider Home Energy Efficiency
Practice smart budget allocation
If you’re not good at creating a budget, you will benefit from this simple and solid advice. In general, it’s recommended to spend between 10 and 15% of your overall home value on one room renovation. Of course, this number can be dialed up or down, depending on how much work does a room need and how much you use it. For instance, a $100k property might require a $20k kitchen renovation and only a $5k bathroom renovation.
Decide between ID and contractors
Working with an interior designer is a joy, and you can find plenty of suitable candidates in bigger cities like Sydney or New York. They can provide you with a lot of creative ideas that will ensure your home ends up looking fabulous and unique. Also, they will handle all the details like hiring contractors, getting materials and scheduling different stages. And they are usually very LGBTQ friendly. On the other hand, this option will cost you a lot more money than going directly to different contractors like plumbers, electricians, etc.
Hire trusted contractors
If you decide to take the contractor route and do scheduling yourself (you can do it, for sure), make sure to only work with legit people and companies. Hiring locally is a great idea, so if you live in Sydney, finding a reliable plumber in Sydney is your safest bet. Established contractors with a built reputation will be understanding and friendly and will ensure all customers get the best results without any bias. If you need recommendations, you can always consult with your gay and lesbian neighbors and ask who they recommend.
Pick one stunning feature
If you have a so-called “too much” gene, do your best not to go all-in with every feature. However, when it comes to some features, you can go big. Imagine moving into a new home together—what amazing features do you see? Picking one big renovation project that you really love like opening up the ceiling, creating an outdoor kitchen or adding a pool will make everything worth it.
Prevent going off the budget
If there’s one thing that’s easy when it comes to renovation it’s getting carried away with improvements. It’s so easy to end up going several times over budget if you’re not careful. Planning all the improvements and sticking to the original plan is crucial, with structural works taking the top positions. Of course, making sure you and your man have a practical kitchen or you and your wife have a comfortable bedroom is more important than having arched entryways and intricate ceilings.
Stay flexible
No matter how much time you invest into planning, sometimes things just go sideways—those tiles you’ve ordered from abroad might be late, your extra outlets are not working, etc. In case annoying unforeseen things happen, you’ll have to deal with them on the go. Just don’t stress and try to make small changes that will ensure you can continue with your project. Hiring affordable dumpster services in Alabama or similar can be a great way to stay flexible since they come in different sizes and won’t eat into your budget. If you decide you want another feature, or you want to get rid of something, or you just need space to declutter your home as you go along, a dumpster rental is a great choice.
Plan for storage
Full-scale renovations render a property simply inhabitable and that’s why arranging storage is an absolute must, comment expats at Henfield Storage, as you can’t just leave your clothes, upholstered furniture, or any other piece of delicate matter in a basement, garage, or in a garden shack.
Safeguard inventory
Renovation is a lot of construction trash, heavy dust, and often exposure to chemicals in paint, finish, etc. That’s why it’s mandatory for you to take the time and safeguard, and belongings you don’t want to have ruined.
According to packing experts Strong Move, you should think thrice on you containers as both plastic and cardboard boxes have their pros and cons depending on what you need to store, where you’ll keep it, and for how long.
Recap
Hopefully, in the future, you will have an even bigger home ready to receive a stylish LGBTQ makeover. If you follow these tips today, you’ll not only end up with a chic and safe queer haven, but also be much more experienced for your future projects.