Know These Things before Renovating Your House

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Know These Things before Renovating Your House

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Home renovations are no small feat; that is why you must be ready to prepare for them if you want the new changes to be done as soon as possible. Whether it’s a personal project or something you’ve hired professionals for, renovating is challenging but incredibly rewarding once done. The process is called complex at best, but extensive planning can help smoothen any bumps on the road.

Ideally, when you do home renovations, you want to do everything in one go because, the longer it gets dragged out, the more expensive it will be. It is a good idea to set your own expectations and temper for ambitious plans.

Another thing to note is that, when setting aside a budget, give more allowances for renovations, especially if you have an older home. Aside from the general statements above, here are some things you need to know before renovating your house.

Set a Realistic Budget, and Stick to It

It can be easy to get carried away with additionals later in the renovation project, but those little additions can really strain your budget. If you have a budget and you have accounted for all the costs, including the payment for contractors, then stick to it. There may be some minor adjustments later on, but it is to be expected especially if you’re renovating an older house.

It is always a good idea to set aside extra money for necessary additions later on. Make sure to communicate regularly with your contractor to ensure that you’re staying within the budget.

Lastly, do your research. You can always talk to an expert, but it is important that you know the stuff too.

Verify Contractor Credentials

Renovation involves a lot of money, effort, and time for everyone involved, and the last thing you want to do is work with someone who isn’t licensed to do the job. You will be spending a lot of time with your contractor and involve money, so it is a good idea to do a background check on any contractor you will be working with.

Online reviews and references are good, but it may be a little bit taxing to validate and confirm each and every one of them. So on top of that, get a hold of a contractor’s license, lien history, bond number and certification, and other relevant things. It may be a hassle on your part, but it’s better to be sure now and you’ll be saving a lot of headaches later.

Don’t Work on Too Many Rooms at the Same Time

If you are renovating out of necessity, it is not a good idea to do work on multiple rooms at the same time. Prioritize doing the rooms where you spend the time most. For example, if you have to choose between the living room and spare bedroom, then go for the former rather than the latter.

This is also a handy tip when you are on a budget. If you work on more than one room and your funds are limited and there are unforeseen costs that you need to pay for, it may put your budget in trouble. Plus, having too many things done in your home will render you unsettled, frustrated, and unrested when you do want to get some sleep.

Remember that you don’t have to renovate a room when you don’t have to. For necessary renovations, like adding a spare bathroom, you should consider getting a macerator with easy installation. It looks like a standard toilet, but it is easier to install and less expensive because you only need to affix it to the existing pipe for it to work right away.

Spend for Good Quality

A renovation is already a costly project, but it is important to spend for good quality on things that matter. Some examples of things you should pay to have good quality include kitchen cabinets, appliances, faucets, and doors. Inversely, this does not mean that you should splurge everywhere.

If you’re redecorating, adding, or replacing items in a room, make sure that you invest in quality items but not on frivolous things. You don’t have to have the biggest TV or the most luxurious bookcase. You can always mix and match low-priced and basic items with good-quality ones to give the room an air of sophistication.

Document Everything

Sometimes there are plans that just don’t go through smoothly, and this problem is often deliberated by you and the contractor. If you have reached an agreement, always write what was agreed.

Make sure to keep tabs on every expense incurred every day so you can check with your budget and see your progress as well. Ideally, it would be a good idea to have a tight contract with everyone you will be dealing with on your home renovation project.

Temper ETA Expectations

When you have a project, there is an estimated date of completion, and most homeowners who’ve tried renovation will tell you that not everything will be done by that time. It is better to temper your expectations for the time it will be done because you will only disappoint yourself. If you want a good job, then it is better to be generous with the time to allow workers to do their job properly.

Ask a Lot of Questions

Most people don’t know this, but it is actually okay to ask a lot of questions. This is especially for processes you don’t have a lot of knowledge on. If you did your research, it may not be enough, so it is better to clarify with the people who will be working on your home. After all, it is your money you will be spending, so make sure it is put to good use.

What are your home-renovation tips that you want to share? Share your suggestions and advice in the comments.

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