There is a fairly good chance that when it comes to home remodeling, Killeen, TX does not stand out as a premier locale for home construction. In most cases, most folks would identify Killeen for its military base, Fort Cavazos (formerly Ft. Hood), or for having a central Texas branch of Texas AandM University. Otherwise, Killeen tends to be seen as a somewhat small city about halfway between Austin and Waco.
In other words, for most folks, Killeen does not stand out, which is unfortunate. What’s more, the Temple-Killeen metro area is one of the fastest growing areas in the entire country over the last few years. When growth like this takes place, it can be hard for infrastructure to keep up. However, the city has done wonders by maintaining a small-town charm while still offering 21st century amenities to its residents.
And with tremendous growth comes housing. While new construction is certainly a way to go for many new home buyers, others are hoping to invest time and money into thoughtful home remodeling projects. The idea is to take existing homes and turn them into thriving, modern living spaces while still keeping them wholeheartedly Killeen through and through.
But how does this process begin? It includes the following:
Planning/Design/Blueprint — It can be tempting to grab a hammer and start demo ASAP. However, before any work starts, homeowners should take a good look at the space(s) they want to remodel and truly break down what they want to achieve. This may involve some rudimentary software rendering. Others may choose to use low-tack tape on walls, floors and ceilings to help them visualize changes. Still, others may look through architectural magazines for inspiration. The point is to have a clear idea of what things will look like at the end of the project.
Budget — No work can move forward without establishing how much money will be allocated to the entire remodeling project(s). It can be tempting to tell oneself that spending can be monitored during a project. The problem is that contingencies can, and will, present themselves in ways that were not planned. Also, depending on the nature of the remodel, access to food and housing during construction may not be possible, which will mean more of an expense. When exhaustion, stress, and tension come together as one, minding one’s spending can go out the window in place of ‘treating’ everyone.
DIY — Some money can be saved during home remodeling with some sweat equity. Going the DIY route to handle some demolition, painting, drywall, or other types of work can save a lot of money. However, it is imperative that DIY work be done on tasks within one’s abilities. A large percentage of home building contractor’s work comes from fixing mistakes.
Timelines — Establishing timelines isn’t easy, but rough estimates are possible to be given by the building contractor with whom one works. Depending on the scope of the project, it can go as long as a couple of weeks to six months. This is where working with an experienced, well-reviewed, and highly respected building contractor pays for itself. They will be able to sit down and talk through the ins and outs of what can come up during a remodel. This is key as it can help both sides come to a contractual agreement that makes sense to everyone.
Finally, when it comes to home remodeling, Killeen and every other place in the world pushes home buyers/homeowners to do two things: work with a building contractor that knows the area and understands the difference between remodeling and renovating. Luckily, central Texas has T. Locke Construction, one of the preeminent building contractors in the entire state.If you’re looking to do some home remodeling in Killeen, click here to connect with us today.
