Many homeowners decide to remodel on a whim, but a number of factors must be evaluated thoroughly before taking on any project, says Sergei Kaminskiy, Kaminskiy Design and Remodel. It’s important to have a conversation, he says, about lifestyles, health issues, family growth plans, aging parents, work habits and other matters before beginning a remodel. To start, prioritize a list of the following for your remodeler.

Determine quality of life issues. Maybe you need more space and are considering a room addition or another level added to the home. Should you move or stay and remodel? For some, moving is not an option, due to a career, roots in the neighborhood or otherwise, and remodeling is the right choice.

Consider how long you plan to stay in the home. If it's short-term, decisions are much easier than to plan for 10-20 years. If you consider your home a legacy home that will be in your family for years, you will need to give consideration to current and future toddlers, teens and aging parents. If the home is long-term, it will make sense to use the best materials for roofing, flooring, surfaces since quality materials can last up to 100 years.

Evaluate the health and physical needs of your family. If you have an elder or you are an elderly couple and don't want to move to a retirement community, living on one level and avoiding stairs may be the best option. The same may be true if a family member has physical challenges. If this is the case, choose to turn a downstairs room or office into a bedroom with bath.

Calculate the cost of moving. Moving typically costs about 8-10 percent of the value of the current home. Don’t forget to add in the costs of upgrades like carpet, furniture, painting, etc., and you can easily see how it adds up even more.

Source: KaminskiyHomeRemodeling.com

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