Thinking of starting a renovation task on your new purchase? Check out YouTube star Kyle Stumpenhorst house renovation tips and home improvement ideas.
Get his top tips for homeowners on how to find the right contractor and navigate challenges of a renovation project in today’s market.
Kyle Stumpenhorst, of Rural Renovators, house renovation tips include:
Do the research
When selecting a contractor, it’s important to look at their internet presence, reviews and social media to gain insight into their working style.
If a contractor is busy (which is a good sign), take a look at their active projects and come with ideas for paint, design, etc. to ensure a smooth process.
Focus on quality over price
While it might feel tempting to choose the cheapest options, lower cost is not always better. Focusing solely on price could result in having to re-do projects.
Don’t wait for material costs to go down
With demand for renovations so high, many homeowners have expressed hesitation to move forward with projects due to high lumber and material prices.
But, waiting is not the answer. The wait time for contractors will only increase and material costs may not go back to pre-pandemic prices. Preparing your budget with the current pricing will allow for a better result.
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Most Common Home Renovation Projects
A new survey from DEWALT, part of the world’s largest tools and storage company Stanley Black & Decker, looked into home improvement trends in the United States.
The most common home renovation projects being considered include bathroom remodels (42%) and kitchen remodels (40%), followed by bedroom remodels (28%), porch/patio/deck makeovers (21%), and landscaping projects (20%).
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Contractors are needed most for electrical work (44%), flooring (41%), plumbing (40%), windows (40%) and structural work (39%) – all skills that are required for most of the top projects.
When it comes to selecting a contractor, homeowners prioritize price (62%), followed by being licensed (52%) and professionalism (49%). Most homeowners (53%) rely on word of mouth to find their contractor, while 40% of homeowners use online search.
“Many cities across the U.S. are experiencing a home renovation uptick, and as homeowners turn to professionals to complete more advanced projects, the rise in demand is revealing a critical need for more skilled talent,” said Maria Ford, President of Commercial Construction at Stanley Black & Decker.
“This commercial boom across the U.S. demonstrates how imperative it is to expand the skilled trade talent pool, particularly for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, welding, and other similar skills.”