Posted On 7 January 2021

Imagine having the perfect home, upgraded to custom fit the perfect lifestyle.
Imagine a life of luxury that includes comforts and freedoms only available to a select group of forward-thinking homeowners.

People are curious about what the future holds for the household and many are just starting to realize that living in the home of your dreams is not only about how your life looks on the outside.

It’s about the finer things that improve your quality of living and the little details that genuinely make life easier.

Unfortunately, this is where most homeowners go wrong…

They fall for the gimmicks and fall short in the areas that matter the most, like safety, comfort, and simplicity.

After talking to homeowners all over the country, We soon realized that people who are serious about maximizing their quality of life need someone to guide them and make sure their home renovation project is a success. That’s why we created the Future Home Summit.

Want a push notification that lets you know when your children are home safely?

How about a fully integrated smart system that knows what music you like, how bright you want the lights and even what temperature you feel most comfortable in?

Or perhaps a home so energy efficient, it produces just as much renewable energy as it consumes, giving you a net zero energy bill and a carbon-free home…

See what’s possible at the Future Home Summit 2021, and witness true luxury for the first time as we showcase groundbreaking innovations in high-end living straight from the top experts in the home renovation industry.

Starting a smart home renovation can be overwhelming, especially if you haven’t completed one before. Whatever the project, your remodel will involve so many details it can easily become a daunting task.

Use these steps and tips for planning a home remodel to choose how to order, prioritize and build a detailed home project plan that will help reduce your stress level while keeping you on budget and on schedule.

STEP 1: BUILD A DETAILED SMART HOME PROJECT PLAN

The first step in upgrading to a smart home is to develop a plan that clearly states the goal for your renovation and includes designing inspiration and an outline of the work that needs to be completed.

Your project plan should also include:

• Blueprints or sketches of your finished smart home project.
• A list of needs and wants for your project.
• Project steps divided into DIY steps and steps that will require a professional.

At this point in planning a home renovation, investigate local zoning regulations and permits. Make sure your neighborhood is zoned for your remodel (some renovations like garage conversions are not allowed everywhere) and find out if you’ll need a permit. 

If you are completing a project that will change the structure of your home or the use of a room, you will most likely need a permit. Wait to apply for permits until you’ve hired a team and built a project timeline.

When to Start: 6 to 12 months before you’d like to start your project

STEP 2: SET A PROJECT BUDGET

The next step when planning a home renovation is to determine your budget and financing. Your budget should include the costs for permits and building materials, labor costs and the cost of decorations or cosmetic touches.

To build your budget:

• Decide how much you want to spend on your luxury home project and finalize financing. Set aside at least 10% of your budget for unexpected costs.
• Request cost estimates from professionals that specialize in high-end upgrades.
• Price out all required materials.

If your cost estimates do not fit in your budget, use your home improvement project plan from step one to eliminate project elements that are a lower priority and request cost estimates from multiple contractors to find the best option for your budget.

When to Start: 3 to 6 months before starting your project

STEP 3: HIRE THE PERFECT TEAM OF CONTRACTORS

Next in your home project planning, you’ll need to hire your team. Don’t choose your contractors on cost estimates alone. When interviewing and selecting your contractors, also consider:

• Years of experience: A contractor who’s been doing business for a long time makes them a safer bet than one who is new to the business.
• Contracting license: Make sure your contractor has gone through all the steps needed to obtain any required certifications specific to their line of work.
• Certificate of insurance: Contractors should have workers’ compensation and liability insurance for the type of work they perform.
• References: Request and call references. This is a great way to make sure your contractor isn’t just good on paper.
• Payment schedule: A reputable contractor won’t ask you to pay the full price upfront, and the Better Business Bureau advises not to. However, it’s important to discuss payment terms before construction begins. In some cases, it’s better to spend a little extra to get someone you’re comfortable working with.

Use this checklist for hiring contractors to complete the process. If you are hiring multiple contractors for a job, determine who is in charge before the project begins to avoid confusion or slowdown later.

Completing a DIY project? During this step, make sure you have the expertise and support you need to complete the job without hired help, including confirming the help of friends of family for when your project starts.

When to start: 2 to 3 months before your start date

Tip #1. ASK YOUR CONTRACTOR PLENTY OF QUESTIONS

When planning your home renovation, don’t be afraid to quiz your contractor about every step of the process.

FIND OUT THEIR PROFESSIONAL OPINION ABOUT YOUR:

• Budget
• Schedule
• Other contractors
• Materials

That being said, stick to your plans as much as possible. Don’t let a contractor force a more expensive product or service on you unless there’s a good reason for it. Just use their expertise to validate your choices and prevent serious mistakes.
 

Tip # 2. PLAN FOR PROBLEMS WHEN RENOVATING

Even the most detailed home remodeling plans go awry. Don’t let it get you down. Be prepared for delays and issues by setting aside a chunk of your budget for unforeseen costs and allotting a few extra days in your project timeline. This will prevent stress and overspending during the renovation and will help you stick to your plan in the end.
 

Tip #3. COMPLETE STRUCTURAL PROJECTS FIRST

When you’re planning a home renovation, make sure you’re prioritizing any structural projects first. If your roof, foundation or electrical system needs improvements, be sure to complete those before spending money on general cosmetic changes. While a kitchen renovation might improve your day-to-day life, a leaky roof could destroy your new kitchen if it’s not addressed at the first sign of a problem.

Hiring a contractor for home renovations can be overwhelming, especially if this is the first big project you’ve ever taken on. If you’re unsure where to begin, we have a helpful checklist full of tips that will show you how to find a good contractor, including what questions to ask and how you can protect your investment.

1. ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

If you’re unsure where to begin, we have a helpful checklist full of tips that will show you how to find a good contractor, including what questions to ask and how you can protect your investment. Remodeling a home is a time-consuming and costly process, so when it comes to making sure your home is in good hands, you can never ask a contractor too many questions. Once you’ve narrowed down your list of prospects, refer to the points below to make sure you get to the most essential questions to ask before hiring a contractor.

QUESTIONS TO ASK A CONTRACTOR

• How long have they been in business?
• Are they experienced in the type of work you need done?
• Are they licensed and insured to work in your area? Can they show proof?
• Will this project require a permit? If so, ensure the contractor is able to get all necessary permits before starting work.
• Can they share a list of references?
• When are they available to start on the job?
• How do they plan to ensure proper safety precautions during the project?

2. PUT EVERYTHING IN WRITING

How do you protect yourself when hiring a contractor? 

Having a clear and thorough contract is absolutely necessary. 

The contract should be in writing, signed and dated, and include:

• Everything you expect from the job, including any promises or guarantees made verbally.
• Scope of work, including costs.
• A detailed schedule of all project stages with start/end dates.
• An established payment schedule.
• A list of suppliers and subcontractors.
• Confirmed contact information and a permanent business address.
• Confirmation of licensing, insurance and all necessary permits.
• Any consequences for missing deadlines, going over budget or defaulting on agreement.

If any language seems unclear in the contract, speak up and ask questions, so nothing in the agreement takes you by surprise.

3. Look for Hidden Fees

While it’s important to have a contract in writing, it’s equally important to understand what’s not included in the contract. Watch out for contractor bids that include “cost plus” and “time and material” pricing models with no cap on maximum budget, as hidden fees can quickly add up. 

It also helps to be upfront about your home improvement budget to make sure you and the contractor stay on track financially.

4. Get Multiple Bids

Another valuable tip for hiring a contractor is that the least expensive remodeler isn’t always the best, and a lot of the time, price reflects quality. Review bids from at least three different contractors, as several quotes give you a point of comparison for what’s reasonable to pay for these services in your area.

5. Trust Your Instincts

Red flags to watch out for as you begin working with a contractor include:

• A contractor refusing to provide a written contract.
• Requests for you to pay in cash or pay the entire cost upfront.
• The contractor not having a business address.
• A contractor unable to pull a job permit (they’re likely not registered with the city).

If you have any doubts or uneasy feelings as you review these contractor hiring tips, proceed with caution or move on altogether. Chances are, your feelings are justified, and you should be working with a contractor you can trust.

6. Establish a Plan

Beyond how to hire a contractor, we also have some helpful tips for working with one. 

First, establish a plan for how you’ll communicate with your contractor, and how often. 

Second, make sure the workers are comfortable and set ground rules for parking, bathroom use and any other issues that may come up throughout the project.

Keep an organized folder to track all records, warranties and payment receipts. 

Schedule a final walk-through to ensure the job is complete and confirm all subcontractors and suppliers have been paid prior to making the final payment. We recommend requesting a receipt marked, “Paid in Full,” for your records when the final payment has been made.

You’re Ready to Hire a Contractor

There are many factors to consider when planning for your home renovation project, but by following our hiring-a-contractor checklist, being cautious and following your gut instincts, you can be confident the time and effort put into the project will be worth it.

Once you’ve hired the right contractor for the job, check out our post about how to budget for a home renovation. Additionally, you can learn even more about how to find a good contractor and tips for every aspect of your project in our DIY Home Improvement Guide.

Sticking to a budget is always a challenge. Creating a budget for a large project you’ve never done before is an even bigger challenge. When it comes to home renovation costs, building a feasible budget requires a detailed plan and plenty of research.

Fortunately, we’ve done most of the leg work for you. Simply follow the steps below to create a remodeling budget that will keep you from overspending on your next renovation.

How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a House?

According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of renovating a home that is less than 1,000 square feet is $18,347. For homes in the 3,000 to 4,000 square foot range, the average cost climbs to $36,121. 

Renovations made to an older home tend to cost more than a newer one, especially if the wiring, plumbing and other features aren’t up to code. Typically, you can expect to spend at least $100 to $200 per square foot on any renovation.

When you’re deciding on your home renovation budget, it can be easier and more affordable to prioritize projects by room and build a budget around the cost of each individual project.

Average cost to renovate:

• Kitchen    $12,000 – $33,000
• Bathroom    $6,000 – $14,000
• Basement    $10,000 – $27,000

Source: HomeAdvisor

How Much Should I Spend on a Home Renovation?

To get an approximate idea of what your remodeling budget should be, consider the value of your home as a whole. You don’t want to spend more than 10 to 15 percent of your home’s value on a single room. If you spend more, the value of the renovation will not proportionally add to the value of your home.

For example, if your home is worth $100,000, the maximum you should spend on a kitchen or bathroom renovation is $15,000. If your house is worth more, the spend on a renovation could be higher.

Determine Financing Before Finalizing Your Budget

Before setting the budget for your home renovation, you need to determine how you are financing it. If you are paying in cash, taking out a loan or applying for credit, the budget of your renovation will need to fit within the limit of your available funds.

Once you know how much you can afford to spend, set aside 10 to 20 percent of your available funds for unexpected expenses. This is important. Something will go wrong or cost more than originally projected. By setting aside a percentage before beginning, you know you will have the funds available to finish your project no matter what happens.

Once you’ve decided how much to spend, use the following steps to create a detailed plan and budget.

3 Steps for Creating a Realistic Home Renovation Budget That Fits Your Needs

Step 1: Prioritize Remodeling Needs

The easiest way to stay on budget during a renovation is to know exactly what you want. Create a list of everything you would like the project to include and then separate items into wants and needs.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What do you want this project to do?
• What details are required to make that happen?
• What are you willing to compromise on?
• What are you willing to splurge on?
• Man Building Remodeling Budget Spreadsheet

Step 2: Create a Detailed Remodeling Plan With Cost Estimates

After setting the goal for your home renovation, create a detailed plan that includes expected costs. This will help you build a remodeling budget and communicate exactly what you want with your contractors. Build a spreadsheet that includes each portion of the project and the estimated cost for labor and materials. 

To develop cost estimates:

• Use resources like HomeAdvisor to estimate labor costs for engineers, architects, plumbers and handymen. Labor usually accounts for 20 to 35 percent of a project’s budget.
• Choose fixtures and finishes and calculate what you will spend on them. Include paint, knobs, faucets, tile, flooring and anything else you’ll need. Don’t forget to include taxes and shipping costs in the estimates for your materials.
• Include the appliances you want and what you expect to spend on them. Include costs for installation, delivery and how you plan to dispose of appliances.
• Consider what living expenses you will incur during your project. Consider the costs for living without a functioning kitchen, boarding pets or staying outside the home during your project and include these costs in your spreadsheet.

If you can create a plan that is detailed enough and includes your choice of finishes and fixtures, your conversations with contractors can focus purely on labor costs and time estimates.

Step 3: Request Bids From Multiple Contractors

Now you know what you need, what you want and what you can afford to pay for each item. It’s time to find a contractor that can complete your project within your budget. Find local companies with good reviews and ask them to create a bid for your project. Get bids from at least three companies to accurately compare the costs.

When choosing a contractor:

• Complete interviews and check their references.
• Be very clear about both your project and your remodeling budget. If your contractor knows you’re sticking to a tight budget, they will be more likely to talk through additional expenses, time delays and project changes with you.
• Make sure the contractor thoroughly understands your needs and has a clear idea of how you plan to prioritize parts of the project.
• Talk through how you will approach any unforeseen issues and how it will affect the budget of the project.
• If one contractor’s bid is well below the others, toss it out. Cheap labor sounds appealing but opens the door to errors which can cost you more money later. Use competing bids to negotiate with your preferred contractor.
• If none of the contractor estimates fit into your remodeling budget, cut down on the project until you’re comfortable with the cost. Use your list of wants and needs to eliminate parts of the project you previously deemed less important.

Once you’ve selected your contractor, ask them to look at your project plan and home renovation budget to see if there are any costs you may have overlooked. Use the contractor’s estimate as well as feedback to make a final update to your project plan before beginning work to make sure the final project stays on budget.

STEP 1: HOW TO PLAN YOUR SMART HOME PROJECT

Plan Your Future Home for Your Lifestyle Goals

Big mistake: Plan around the products or gadgets you like instead of planning around their lifestyle goals. You should write down your lifestyle goals, get inspiration from other smart home projects, and then consult with a designer to see what is possible for your home. 

Plan Around Your Personal Needs 

Big Mistake: Start hiring contractors before you know your personal needs and wants, then next thing you know, you just built a home for someone else and not you and your family. You should write down the personal needs for you and your family and then consult with a designer to layout the possibilities. 

How fast do you want it done?

Big Mistake: Go with the flow instead of planning an exact timeline that fits with your contractors and fits into your budget. You will need to consider each contractor’s schedule and the difference in fees because you can get it done RIGHT, or you can get it done FAST, but you usually can’t do both at the same time. 

STEP 2: HOW TO BUDGET FOR YOUR SMART HOME PROJECT

What resources do you need?

• Products
• Materials
• People 

How will you finance the project? 

Big Mistake: Financing it yourself and liquidating your savings or using credit cards. The best way is to use OPM (Other People’s Money). There are smarter ways to creatively finance your smart home project without having to spend your own hard-earned cash.

STEP 3: HOW TO BUILD THE PERFECT TEAM FOR YOUR SMART HOME PROJECT

Who’s going to design it (and/or decorate) your ultra modern smart home? 

Big mistake: Hiring a contractor first and telling them what you want without a blueprint or a good designer.

Who’s going to build it (or install) it? 

Big Mistake: Hiring several different contractors who are not following the same plan and who are not working together. You should take a holistic approach to your project and make sure all your contractors are working together, following the same plan from the same designer, and with the same blueprint.

Who’s going to integrate the technology? 

Big Mistake: Trusting the company that makes the product or relying on a construction company to provide tech support to make sure everything is working properly. You will need a certified smart home integrator who can make sure all your tech works together in harmony without problems.

The Future Home Summit is an event like no other in the world. It’s a virtual showcase of everything a homeowner could possibly want in their home if only they knew about it.

We, at Livmatic, are uniting the top minds in the home renovation industry to introduce a new kind of luxury living, the kind of living thought to only exist in science fiction and retro-futuristic magazines.

We’re combining the innovative designs of the future with the technical know-how of the present and making it possible for homeowners to create a home that is more comfortable, efficient and resilient than any other home in the world.

The best part is that it’s 100% virtual, which means you can plug-in, relax and explore what’s possible from your home or even in your pajamas if you choose. But that’s only if you are one of the privileged members of our guestlist.

Guestlist members receive:

• Free general admission to the Future Home Summit 2021
• Access to the top experts in home improvement from the comfort of your home
• An interactive tour of our special events, virtual exhibits and ultra-modern smart homes
• The chance to learn from the top minds in the home renovation industry
• Tips and tricks on how to make your home renovation project a success
• Updates on our future events before we make them available to the public

Normally these tickets go for $14 per person, but for the next 30 days, we’re giving away 2 FREE tickets to the next 500 qualified homeowners to RSVP to our Guestlist. That’s a $30 value on the house!

Enter your information below to RSVP for our Guestlist and see if you qualify to be a Free VIP Member. Members automatically receive 2 Free VIP Tickets to the Future Home Summit 2021 and a call from their personal Concierge to save their spot in our VIP Member's Area.

Click here to find out what to do next and get straight to the good stuff!

Access to the top minds in the home renovation industry...
An interactive tour of our virtual exhibits and ultra-modern smart homes...
Everything you need to know for your future home project at your fingertips…

This is just a fraction of what our Guestlist Members receive when they qualify, so why are so many homeowners looking to upgrade their tickets to VIP Status? Well, aside from having double the perks, there is one major benefit that changes everything.

That’s our white glove concierge service that comes with every VIP ticket. Once a homeowner qualifies for the VIP upgrade, they will be automatically assigned to a member of our concierge team to personally guide them through their home renovation journey and be a liaison between the homeowner and their perfect team of contractors.

This is meant to give our VIP Members a more luxurious experience, saving them the time and effort of doing it all themselves. Don’t get me wrong… The event alone is AWESOME, but you just don't get a personal concierge to walk you through the process and customize it for your lifestyle.

VIP Members get all the perks of being a Guestlist Member, plus:

• A downloadable PDF version of The Ultimate Guide to Lifestyle Design
• Our white glove concierge service to guide you on your home renovation journey
• Our 3-step method for upgrading to the home of the future
• Access to our experienced team of Future Home Professionals
• A complimentary and personalized Future Home Masterplan, where we customize a plan for your future home and break it all down in writing, so you can make an intelligent decision
• 1-on-1 attention from the right home expert to turn your vision into a reality

With double the value, you can understand why we don’t normally hand these tickets out for free. These tickets typically go for $47 per qualified homeowner. The good news is that we are upgrading the next 100 qualified homeowners who RSVP for the VIP Membership with 2 VIP tickets.

That’s a $94 value for FREE!

Be one of the next 100 homeowners to qualify and receive every tool, service, tip and trick you could ever need to make your future home project a success, with the help of a personalized white glove concierge service of course. 

Take this trip with us as we guide you through your own custom interactive experience, where you can see videos, hear from the top experts and map out your own Future Home Masterplan with our help every step of the way.

The perfect lifestyle design...
The perfect home…
The home of the future...

This is what awaits our qualified Guestlist and VIP members. At Livmatic, we help our members cut through the clutter, find the right information and make intelligent decisions when upgrading their homes’.

We give you all the tools to create your future home with a simple and straightforward approach, but believe it or not, there’s still an easier way... Members who want to cut to the chase can speak with one of our experts directly and start their future home projects in no time. Upgrade to the VIP Membership Area within the next 30 days and get double the perks for FREE.

Our White-Glove Concierge Team will help you:

• Decide on your desired lifestyle
• Find the right materials
• Hire the right contractors
• Create a thorough plan
• Keep track of timelines
• Stay within your budget
• And much more!

With a Future Home Masterplan, first class guidance and the perfect team, the possibilities are endless.