Article: For remodels that include an addition to the room, removing walls, or other structural changes to the home, it's best to set up an appointment with a professional contractor in your area. Normally, the contractor will come to your home, talk about the remodel with you, and survey the room to see what they're working with. Then, they'll give you an estimate for the cost of work and materials. When talking to a contractor, be as specific as possible about what you'd like the room to look like. If you have inspiration pictures, show them. Keep in mind that while using a contractor is more expensive, they can save you time and ensure that the work is done properly. For some big renovations, like refinishing floors, removing trim, or even taking out small, non-load-bearing walls, it's possible to do the project by yourself. Before you take on any project, make sure you have the proper tools and understand the risks. Do-it-yourself renovations can be a very stressful learning experience, and your project might not turn out exactly as you planned. If you start doing a project and find that you're in over your head, don't be afraid to contact a professional for help or advice. For an average remodel, plan to spend about $110 per 1 foot (0.30m) squared. If you're going to be re-doing a closet or expanding the room, be sure to include that area in your calculations. If you're doing a remodel that requires a lot of demolition, or you plan to add new flooring, add an additional $15-$30 per 1 foot (0.30m) squared. The price will depend on what kind of flooring you're using or how you're doing the demolition. Keep in mind that doing demolition and renovations yourself will save you money. Then, you can hire a professional to do the parts of the renovation that you cannot do on your own. Once you've decided on the style and know how much space you'll have, make a general drawing of the room that you can refer back to throughout the renovations. Include the places where you'd like to put furniture, mark any doors, and note where there are windows. Your sketch doesn't have to be detailed or even to scale. You should just have a general idea of where you'd like to put everything. If there's a smaller room adjacent to your bedroom that you rarely use, you might want to take out the wall to incorporate the space from that room into the bedroom. Make sure the wall isn't load-bearing, and double check that removing it will provide the amount of space that you're looking for. This is also a great method for adding a larger closet or ensuite bathroom to your bedroom. Keep in mind that removing a bedroom or bathroom can negatively affect the value of your home. Before committing to combining 2 bedrooms, talk to an appraiser to see how the value of your home could change. If you don't want to remove a wall, then you could add a door between 2 adjacent rooms, such as a sliding barn door or pocket door. This will keep the rooms separate while providing more space. If you already have hardwood floors or have hardwood under carpeting, consider making it a focal point to your room. Changing from carpet to wood can change the entire feel of the room. Making the switch from carpet to hardwood normally has a high return on investment, but it's important to do each step correctly to ensure that the flooring will last a long time. If you currently have older carpeting in your room, you might consider replacing it with new carpeting for a fresh look. Try to pick a neutral color that will match your desired theme. Compared to expanding the room or purchasing new furniture, replacing the floors can be pretty cheap and give the room a whole new look. If replacing the floors is not an option, then purchase a large area rug to cover them. Once the room is remodeled, you can add furniture to the bedroom. For totally new furniture, plan to purchase a bed frame, mattress, nightstand, and a dresser. You can purchase these in a matching set, or find a mix of pieces from different stores. If you don't have a lot of closet space, you might consider getting an extra dresser or an armoire to hold your clothes. For mismatched furniture, search at places like antique stores and flea markets for unique pieces.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Contact a contractor for an estimate if you want help from a professional. Consider doing the renovations yourself if you want to save money. Set a reasonable budget for your renovations. Sketch out a floor plan for your ideal bedroom. Consider removing a wall to combine rooms and expand your space. Refinish or replace the floors for a relatively inexpensive update. Pick a set or multiple pieces of furniture that fit your desired style.