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After a couple of decades or more, most houses start showing serious signs of wear and tear and while some issues may be purely aesthetic such as peeling paint, others can be more problematic like broken tiles, leaking roofs or a pest problem.
A home renovation, makeover or remodel is undertaken taking into consideration multiple factors and while some homeowners may gut the house down to the brick, most will want to build on the existing structure and improve it and update it for style, utility and other practical concerns. Here are some tips and tricks to avoid common mishaps while undertaking a home remodel and to get the maximum impact from your budget.
Know Your Priorities
When you are undertaking a full-home makeover, many smaller details can fall by the wayside. Make certain areas and tasks the priority so the maximum part of your budget is spent there as usually no one can complete a build or renovation exactly within budget as oftentimes hidden or extra unforeseen costs can increase the amount allocated.
If you are renovating your home to later use or market it as an investment property, then focusing on high traffic areas such as the bathrooms, living room and kitchen may be sensible as most people count the kitchen as the heart of the house and a lot of house sales are made due to the modernity and elegance of the latter.
Clear The Space
Personal belongings especially prized items and valuables should be removed from the property and stored elsewhere such as in bank lockers or warehouses so that the renovation does not result in any damage. Laying down plastic and making routes through the house for contractors and builders can ensure the whole project runs smoothly. As most renovations require walls to be repainted, cover up light sockets and take down wall art and hangings. Ensuring security is essential especially if the house is being renovated in one go and you and your family are staying elsewhere for the time being.
Have a biometric or card entry system for security, sharing it only with the main contractor who you trust. Install CCTV camera to know who is entering your property at all times. Reviewing the insurance your contractor has can prevent issues in case any of the builders working on your house has an accident.
Value To Real Estate
Before deciding on the design additions you want to invest in, make sure you have a consultation with a realtor or a real estate market researcher to learn about the prevalent industry trends that are substantially increasing the value of property this year. Swimming pools and outdoor hot tubs are a prime example of a design addition that can increase the value of a home by a very wide margin.
Owning a smart home is also very high-value so technological investments should feature in your renovation. As there is no end to the home devices and systems that are available in the market, choose according to your lifestyle and utility. Some homeowners prioritize security, some want day to day conveniences such as automated lighting, and energy conservation.
A Step By Step Plan
Work out a step by step plan with your contractor so there is no duplication in the tasks and they are done in the correct order such as replacing wiring or repairing water damage before repainting the walls. Always take care of the practical and safety concerns before deciding on the more aesthetic ones such as what color the curtains should be. For mold or pests, professional eliminators will need to be hired to prevent the problem from arising again.
DIY Only Works So Far
Unless you are a professional contractor or builder yourself, DIY repairs and projects will only get you so far. In many cases homeowners in order to cut manpower costs, undertake DIY projects such as painting, fixing electrical connections or even pest control with home-based ingredients. As far as possible, engage professionals for home renovation tasks such as a painter or plumber and finishing touches like painting a mural on a wall or stitching curtains can be left for DIY prowess so the interior design is personalized and unique.
Materials For Beauty & Longevity
Getting your hands on the right materials is imperative and like all sensible homeowners, always try to reduce carbon footprint during this process. Choose recycled or reclaimed materials in the renovation and avoid importing speciality materials that are not produced or available locally. Wherever possible repair and recycle materials already present in the house. Carrara marble for example is incomparable in its beauty for flooring and bathrooms but it usually requires an expensive importing process that is not very sustainable. Moving forward, more and more homeowners want their houses to be green with an environmentally friendly form and function.
Keep Communication Strong
Throughout the renovation, keep lines of communication open with the contractor and team through video calls so you are aware of even small details if you cannot be present all the time on the property. Steady communication will also weather inevitable complications and improvisations and help you make better choices using the contractor’s expertise.
Safety First
A build or renovation site is oftentimes a hot bed of potential hazards so ensure the builders have their own personal protective gear and have made zones during the renovation to prevent accidents like electrocution by exposed wires. Debris and dust can be dangerous to some people so masks are essential and if the crew is going to work nights, they need professional lighting to prevent any accidents. On your end you can post a list of emergency numbers in a prominent location for builders and keep tools like torches always available. A well-stocked first aid kit is also a must for a homeowner to provide on a build site.
Off-Peak Season Renovation
Many homeowners prefer to renovate their houses during an off-peak season so they can get a more committed contractor and cut their costs in manpower. However, this is a mistake for areas with extreme weather changes which can halt work and actually stretch out the project for longer.
