There are lots of reasons to consider engaging in a home renovation. From ratty-looking to outdated, uncomfortable, need more space, or just plain “I’m sick of looking at it,” that’s about all it takes to jump into action.
Our advice, however, is not to jump too fast or too far before carefully planning the project and its various components. So, before you start swinging that sledgehammer, consider these important home renovation/remodeling facts.
You can save money, or you can save time. If you’re thinking about taking the DIY approach for part of the job to save money, understand that it will likely take you more time to complete each step. Also, if you’re working with a contractor, he or she may not agree to wait a week while you rip up the tile floor when they can do it before lunch.
Take your budget and add 20 percent or more. It’s important to set a realistic budget for any home improvement project. And yet unforeseen circumstances often arise that blow that budget through the roof. After all, you don’t know what you’ll find until you start ripping things apart.
The less mess the better. Renovating a property creates a lot of debris and junk that needs to be dealt with properly. If you just leave it lying around, it can cause safety issues, reduce productivity and make the project take even longer. This is why you should Google “skip bins for hire sydney” and have a plan to reduce the waste that’s created. On top of that, it’s also an easier clear-up process if the mess is dealt with throughout the project meaning you can go back to normality even quicker.
Consider your living situation. If you work from home or your kids take part in virtual learning, it may be hard to focus with a construction zone right outside your door. Plus, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a contractor who agrees to work after 4 pm during the week or on weekends only. Consider building a backyard shed as an outdoor studio to work in if you really must work from home during construction. This will minimize disruption to you, and allow the builders to work during the day. If you need electricity, install a solar panel on the shed roof, and you can even install a toilet if you use greywater from a water butt.
Don’t ignore building codes and permits. Building codes have changed over the years, as have permit requirements. For example, you should find out if you need permission to build a pool before you contact somewhere like California Pools. Find out if you can upgrade your garage without new permits. Check with your local building department and make sure contractors you consider are up on the latest codes. Don’t assume your contractor is pulling permits; get in in writing.
Know your DIY limits. These days you can learn just about anything by watching a few shows online. But just because you think you can do it yourself doesn’t mean you should. Renovations can be a risky procedure, especially big-scale ones like driveway installations. In such cases, it would be wise to contact concrete driveway installation Milwaukee (or nearby) and let them do their job. Know your renovation strengths and outsource the rest, more so when it comes to electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
Remember Murphy’s Law. If you’re lucky, everything will go smoothly, come in under budget, and be finished on time. But in the real world, you’re likely to encounter unexpected problems, delays, and even accidental damage. Murphy’s Law, as originally stated, is “When something can go wrong, it usually will.”
Organization is key. Get a handle on expected material delivery times and work with your contractor to devise a realistic project timeline. For example, if the floor tile you chose won’t be in for another two months, that will delay cabinet installation, which will delay counter and backsplash installation. So perhaps demo work shouldn’t start tomorrow.
Just as there are umpteen reasons to undertake a home remodeling project, you have an equal number to choose Pann Home Services to handle the entire project for you. From planning, design, project coordination, installation, and all the rest, we are an elite and well-respected crew of home remodeling specialists. Contact us today to schedule a free in-home consultation.
