A remodeling project is a sizable undertaking, and successfully completing one will require a good amount of planning. To learn how to plan your remodeling project from start to finish, follow these crucial tips.

Assess the goals of your project

Before starting a remodeling project, you should have a good understanding of the goals you seek to accomplish. Whether you’re trying to achieve a desired appearance or add value to your home before selling it, you should consider your goals in advance. Doing so will help give your project direction and ensure that you achieve your desired results.

Determine your budget

An essential step in pulling off a successful remodeling project is to determine a realistic budget. You don’t want to get halfway through the process and realize you don’t have enough money to make all the changes you want to. When you’re determining your budget, it’s important to account for a contingency fund. This fund will help you deal with unexpected costs, which are part of any home remodeling project.

Prioritize important elements

When determining your budget, don’t forget to prioritize impactful upgrades such as adding wood flooring. Typically, homeowners tend to focus on pleasant aspects such as purchasing new furniture or windows. As such, the topic of flooring typically gets put on the back burner until the end of the project, when little money is left. However, neglecting to think about the flooring is a big mistake—it can have a large impact on the appearance and value of your home. Luxury hardwood floors, for example, have remained in style for centuries, and they can add up to 2.5 percent of value to a home. As such, flooring should be a top priority in any remodeling project.

Create a timeline

Creating a timeline will help ensure you can complete your project in a timely manner. If you have a specific date you want to complete your project by, you can work backwards from there. Otherwise, choose a start date and consult with the people involved with your project to assess how long each step will take to complete. Try to arrange each step according to priority and determine which renovations you can complete simultaneously to save time. To keep track of your timeline, pencil in the duration of each project on a calendar and provide a few days of cushion to account for unexpected delays.

Build a team

Depending on the scale of your remodeling project, you may need to enlist the help of a team. If you need expert help, it’s important to research qualified contractors and get quotes so that you can factor such expenses into your budget. While building your renovation team, be sure to address important factors of your project, such as the budget, schedule, and materials you want to use.