Use These AI Tools Before Your Next Home Renovation Project
Developing a home renovation project, planning and budgeting, not to mention choosing materials and contractors, can seem like a daunting task. There are so many options available and so much information to digest. Luckily, there are artificial intelligence tools that can help you along the way; they will save you time and introduce you to new style concepts.
Design inspiration and visualization
Before you begin exploring materials, the research phase should include design inspiration, visualizing your space, and becoming familiar with common materials and color palettes. At this point in the planning process, AI can help you get inspired and name the design styles you prefer. Being able to visualize your overall design, as well as clearly communicate your preferences to the contractor, is an important step that becomes easier when you use an AI-powered design app in the process.
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Remodel AI helps you visualize and select materials and colors by processing photos of your space and then allowing you to select different finishes, materials, and color palettes. The app is free, but you only get 15 free image generation per month.
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RE Imagine Home is an AI-powered design tool that makes it easy to arrange rooms, test colors and finishes, and lay out empty rooms. It will also take into account your color preferences and design style. It’s free for unlimited features for up to 7 days, after which only the basic version is free (the paid version costs $99 per month). However, for most people, the basic package, which allows you to create 30 images per month, will be more than enough.
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Room AI is a generative AI-powered app that lets you choose the type, size, and style of room design, then create inspiring design images based on the photo. This app is free for up to 5 generations per month, but after that the pro version costs $8.99 per month.
None of these apps will ever give you a perfectly finished rendering, but they can help you figure out your preferences, play with furniture and decor placement, and experiment with colors and materials. As a result, targeting your specific preferences can be much faster.
Budgeting and planning
Another major challenge when remodeling is getting a clear idea of how much it will cost. Since not all projects are the same, they will vary depending on the complexity of your job, your location, and the availability of materials. Using an AI tool to help you estimate costs and time constraints can help make this part of the process easier and faster, giving you more time to review paint samples and tile samples.
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ChatGPT can give you a good overview of your budget and a breakdown of your construction schedule, including factors such as relocating plumbing, installing new fixtures including electrical and HVAC systems, and replacing flooring or wall coverings. The more specific your project description, the more accurate your time and materials estimates will be. It will give you a cost breakdown, but will only give you a general idea – you will still need to get a specific quote from the contractor for a more specific estimate.
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Renotag is an AI-powered cost calculator that will give you an estimate of the cost of your remodeling project based on current material and labor costs in your area. To give you a quote, they need your phone number and email address, leaving it open to advertisers and unsolicited offers from local professionals. But if you’re willing to label unwanted ads generated by the tool as spam, the price quote will be much more specific than those generated based on national averages.
Selecting a contractor
Choosing a specific contractor for your specific job is not something you should leave up to AI, but deciding what type of contractor to hire and finding contractors with the appropriate certifications and skills can definitely be made easier through the use of AI.
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Chatbots like ChatGPT and Google Bard can help you determine which contractors in your area have good reviews and include the specific type of work you need in your bids. They can also help you determine which licenses and certifications to look for when choosing a specific contractor.
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Using AI-powered chatbots on contractor websites when you are in the initial stages of finding a contractor for your remodeling project can help you narrow down the pool of contractors who may have the appropriate skills and services for your job. These tools can also answer any other basic questions you might have about a contractor, such as their licensing and certifications, safety record, and specialization.
While these tools are useful, they should always be double-checked by an actual professional (such as a contractor) before you decide to book a job. The information they provide may be incorrect or incomplete. Once you’ve narrowed down your needs and scope of work, it’s a good idea to get at least three estimates from three different contractors before taking the plunge.