7 Things to Remember When Planning a Home Renovation
A renovation is a great way to add value, personal touches, and life to your home. Planning for a renovation, however, can be a nightmare. How much time is it going to take? How much will it cost? How much of my house should I renovate? Can I stay in my home during the reno or should I plan to stay elsewhere? All of these questions and more make the thought of a renovation unappetizing. Here at The Roof Clinic, we want to help you make the most informed decision possible so you can be pleased with your choices. Here are some tips that may make your renovation less stressful.
- Do Some Research Before Hiring a Contractor
People can be unscrupulous and too often a contractor will “massage the truth” to get your business. If a deal seems too good to be true, you should definitely be skeptical of it. Just because a contractor gives you the lowest quote does not mean it is the best option. Take to the net, find a site that offers impartial reviews, and do your own investigating. Don’t rely solely on the 5-star reviews, nor the 1-star reviews either. Angry people are more likely to post a negative review and happy people not so much. A middle-ground review shows that the person really took some time to present their experience objectively. A well thought out, objective review will have some pros and some cons. Note: Always make sure a contractor is insured.
- Plan to Pay More than the Estimate, Just in Case
Listen, the truth of the matter is that costs usually end up being different than what a contractor quoted in the beginning. This is not to say that you will always pay more; it is just a good idea to plan for the worst-case scenario. You never know what may come up during the course of a renovation. We have all probably seen those popular renovation shows on TV. How often does the host or contractor come back mid-renovation and tell their client that they found a problem that will add $X to the original budget? Plan for this circumstance, just in case. It is not as if the extra planned cash is going to waste if you do not end up needing it.
- Don’t DIY Without a Professional’s Advice
Sometimes, we just want to break out the tools and start fixing things ourselves. This is not always the best idea, though. Unless you know the ins-and-outs of what you are doing, you can harm yourself, others, and/or do lasting damage to your house. It is perfectly fine to assist with a job (assuming the contractor is OK with the help), just make sure you are doing so under the supervision of a professional who can step in and help as needed.
- Understand that Perfection is Not a Realistic Standard
Yes, you should always expect the best when you hire someone to do a job; however, expecting perfection out of them is preposterous. Even the best contractor in the world is liable to make small miscalculations here and there. Do not flip your lid if your newly tiled bathroom has some small imperfections that very few people will notice or if paint is slightly off color. Give the benefit of a doubt and remember that contractors are human too.
- Don’t Forget the Outside of Your House
Improving your kitchen, bedrooms, or bathroom is always great, but what about your roof, patio, or backyard? When you make plans for renovation, think about the part of the house that the world sees. Make that broken-down front porch more aesthetically pleasing. Take care of the one thing that keeps you safe and dry: your roof. Fix up your backyard and make it BBQ-friendly.
- Be Flexible with Time
Construction is a messy and time-consuming process. Be prepared for jobs to take longer than expected and do not explode on your contractor because s/he missed the deadline. There is always a chance for unknown factors to complicate even the simplest of job. Be understanding and forgiving.
- Be Courteous to the Workers
It is easy to forget that construction workers are people too and should be treated as such. Just because they are working does not mean that you can mistreat them. Offering beverages on a hot day or allowing them to use your bathroom can go a long way in improving morale, and a happy worker is a productive worker. Do your best to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for all parties involved and you will definitely see a difference in quality and care.
Was this article helpful to you? Do you have any other questions? Feel free to contact us. We would love to help you and, if we cannot answer your question, we will try out best to find someone who can. At The Roof Clinic, our goal is to always make sure you are covered.
