Did you inherit an older home from a relative? Perhaps you have always loved the architecture found in older homes and you have decided to purchase one. Or, maybe you bought a house at the beginning of your marriage and you realize that it's time for some pretty big changes. Whatever the reason that you are remodeling an older home, from doing some research to hiring a remodeling contractor, here are some ideas that might help you to plan something you will love for many years to come.
Do Some Research
Start by buying something like an accordion file. This will mean that you'll have a place to keep things like magazine pictures, photographs and ideas that you want to write down so you won't forget them. Give yourself time tome a great plan. After all, you will more than likely be spending some pretty important money on your remodeling project, so you don't want to make any major mistakes.
Think of searching through home decorating books and magazines, including those that include architectural designs. Cut out pictures from your own magazines and take snapshots of pictures you find in things like library books. Put them in your accordion file. Consider going to old homes in your area that have been turned into museums and are now open to the public. Find out if you can take photographs. If not, at least take copious notes and do sketches of things you like. For example, if there is a large marble fireplace in a bedroom, you might want to use that idea for your own home. Think about driving through neighborhoods to get ideas for the outside of your house. In fact, if you're brave enough, think about asking the owner of the house if you could make an appointment to see the inside of the home.
Meet With A Remodeling Contractor
After you have decided how you want to remodel your older home, unless you are a contractor yourself, you will probably want to hire an expert, like those at Jps Remodeling and Home Repair, to do the restoration. At the very first meeting, explain what you want to do. Show the contractor the pictures and other items you have collected. After all, the saying A picture is worth a thousand words might be extra true in this event. Be open to the contractor's ideas. After all, he or she has the training and the experience to add to your own ideas. For example, the contractor might suggest that you buy actual antique light fixtures for your home, and he or she will have the resources of where to buy them. Beside that, you and your contractor understand each other. It's probably a good idea to put everything in writing, too.