As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to impact our daily lives, many provinces are issuing lockdowns. While the specifics of what you can and cannot do vary by province, a commonality is that non-essential home improvement projects cannot be done until the lockdown is lifted. If you’re sitting at home with a list of home improvement projects you want to get done, here’s how to plan them during a lockdown.
1. Plan Ahead
While you might not be able to renovate your bathroom right now, there will come a day when you can. Instead of waiting for that day, start planning your project now. Look for inspiration online, you can search for materials or colours that you would like to incorporate. This way when you are able to start your project, all of your inspiration is ready to go. This will make working with a pro much easier as you already have an idea of what you want.
Additionally, you can start thinking about projects further in the future you would like done. Thinking about updating your landscaping or maybe adding a pool this summer? You can also start planning ahead for these projects now. Research your options, for example, do you want an above ground or in-ground pool? Figuring out what you want now will make it easier to execute your project when it’s time.
2. Connect Virtually
Even if you can’t carry out your project right now, you can still connect virtually with pros and chat about your project. You can use HomeStars’ “get a quote” feature to get quotes from pros for projects you’re planning. You can have entire conversations with pros through HomeStars to better discuss your project. You can also use your smartphone to have video conversations to better show them your project. If you like, you can even book the project for a future date. This way you won’t miss out when the lockdown is lifted and all the best pros start booking up.
3. Start Budgeting
Doing your research ahead of time can help you create a budget. By knowing how much your project will roughly cost, you can start saving for it. You can read articles online, browse our cost guides and connect with pros as mentioned above to get a better idea of costs. If you know you want to splurge on a certain item, factor this into your budget. By planning ahead you can start saving for your project now making it easier to afford down the line. If you typically put money away for a vacation, think about reallocating those funds for a house project. Use your vacation budget to invest in making your home the ultimate staycation.
While you might not be able to update your home for cosmetic reasons right now, there will come a day when you can. Instead of waiting around for that day, take action now and start planning. Look for inspiration, research ideas, and start budgeting. Remember you can still virtually connect with pros to get quotes and even book a service once the lockdown is lifted. By focusing on planning future projects, it will make living in the present a little easier to get through.
