Home renovation might seem straightforward on the surface, but that’s not the case. There are several things you must be aware of and understand in order to make sure there aren’t any unpleasant surprises later on. In this article, you will learn about all of them.
You will work with a contractor.
Whether you are building from scratch or renovating, a contractor is a professional who manages the building of a structure. The contractor is responsible for providing all of the materials and labor needed to complete your project. In addition, they will be able to answer any questions or concerns that you may have. You should find an accredited contractor who is licensed and insured so that you don’t deal with any legal issues in case something goes awry.
It will cost more than you imagined.
Renovating a home is an exciting time, but this won’t be the case if you end up paying more than you expected. To make sure your renovation goes as smoothly as possible and doesn’t cost any more than it has to:
- Always get 3 quotes for any job or service you need done. This will help ensure you are paying a fair price for the work that’s being done.
- Get a fixed price quote for each job, not an hourly rate plus materials. If there aren’t any unexpected costs, then the price will stay the same from start to finish.
- Allow 10-20% contingency for unexpected costs in your overall budget – this way, if anything does go wrong, like bad weather or damage to existing areas of your home during construction, you can handle it without blowing out your budget.
- Get everything in writing – don’t rely on verbal agreements because things can get misinterpreted or forgotten about later down the track. It’s always best to have everything clearly stated in writing, so everyone knows what they’re doing and who’s responsible for what.
You may need to move out.
If you can’t stay in the house and anticipate that your renovation would take months, you’re probably relieved to know that there are a few options for addressing this scenario. You can rent a hotel room for $10 per night or even find an Airbnb with shared housing or accommodations in the building. If you’re getting your house all fixed up and then move back, renters insurance will cover any damage done to your home during this time frame.
The kitchen is the most expensive room in your home to remodel.
To start, it’s important to note that the kitchen is the most used room in your house. You cook meals in it, and you also congregate there with friends and family. It’s a place where memories are made—and all of this means that when you’re planning a home renovation, you may be inclined to give this one particular room special attention.
Unfortunately, renovating the kitchen isn’t just about giving it a fresh coat of paint or putting up a new backsplash. Kitchens typically involve expensive materials (countertops, appliances), require skilled workers (electricians), and take more time than other rooms because they need to be gutted before being redone.
The deck can be a great addition to your home too.
Like any major kitchen upgrade, a deck addition can be a costly project. So build a deck that lasts. Consider selecting composite decking boards because they are durable and eco-friendly. While you are at it, check out furnishings and lighting for your composite deck.
Like your kitchen or any part of the house, this outdoor deck can be built pretty much to your liking. It’s a private and versatile space to spend lovely evenings, entertain family and friends, and beautify the surroundings.
There are several ways to reduce the costs of renovating your home.
A lot of people who consider renovating their home often bring up a common complaint: they’re worried they’ll overspend in the renovation process and end up with a higher cost than they would have otherwise. This is because there are many ways you can reduce the costs of doing so, but it’s important to know them if you really want to go through with it. But there are tons of affordable home renovation ideas that could have a significant impact on your home or just prove to be useful in terms of saving money that you could otherwise spend on things that aren’t very important.
One of the first things that come to mind is using reclaimed, salvaged, or recycled materials. Imagine your new kitchen being made from old doors and door frames—a wonderful thought. You could use these as cabinet doors or drawers in your kitchen or dining room instead of buying new ones. If you want to make sure you’re on the right track, start by searching online for “recycled materials” and “salvaged materials” in your area (or anywhere) for ideas.
Another way you can save money when renovating your home is by cutting down on costs by doing some of the work yourself. For example, if you want to repair cracked tiles on your bathroom floor, try replacing them yourself rather than hiring a contractor—you might be surprised how fast this task will go once you get used to applying tacks (remember how we were about to demonstrate this?).
You might not always have time to do all repairs yourself—especially if it’s something that needs specialized expertise like an electrical contractor—but there are things like repointing bricks or repairing old wooden furniture that anyone can do themselves without any special equipment. This can help save thousands in labor costs over time and give the peace of mind that no one will get hurt while they’re working with extremely heavy equipment around other people’s houses.
In Conclusion
Home renovations can be a true money pit if you don’t know what you’re getting into. And it’s not just the out-of-pocket money that gets you. It’s the unexpected costs that always seem to rear their ugly head during or after the renovation is complete. Knowledge is power when it comes to renovating your home and we’re here to arm you with the knowledge of five things that you MUST know before you renovate your home.