Remodeling is not for the faint of heart, but it also doesn’t have to take your sanity to the brink either. Here are some tips to make your renovations go off without a hitch.
Hire a Professional
This may seem like common sense, but, a professional contractor is going to be able to take your vision and make it a reality with minimal effort on your part. Aside from having the skillset to get it done, they are going to be knowledgeable about building codes, inspections, and whether that wall you want to remove is load bearing. Not to mention, have you seen how clean a painter’s lines are? Just pay someone else and get the professional finish.
Know the Law
Did you know adding a deck to your house requires a permit with your local building code office? Pretty much anything you want to do on your property will require some sort of involvement from the code office. While this is not true for paint and new doors, if you add a bathroom they will want to be sure that your plumbing can support additional use. Putting up a shed? You will need to honor setbacks and property lines. A lot goes on behind the scenes and it’s just one more reason to leave it to the professionals, or get really friendly with your building code office.
Avoid Fads
It’s so easy to get caught up in the farmhouse fad. The white shiplap is heaven, we agree. But how long until that is as dead as the mauve wallpaper of the early 90s? Instead think of things with a timeless and classic look. Accessorize with items in the latest craze because you can change those things out for a completely different vide. Keep your canvas simple and you won’t find yourself rushing to update your home when it comes time to sell.
Get Creative with Money
As humans we are always looking to save a dollar, when it comes to home renovations it’s really no different. Look for sales or websites that offer discounted finishes. Have a warehouse membership? You can save a lot on home improvement pieces. If you know you want granite for your kitchen remodel, consider re-facing (changing out the door and drawer fronts) or painting your cabinets instead of completely replacing them. It will save some money, and time. Have gold or brass doorknobs? Take them off and spray paint them for an updated look. Pinterest, TikTok, blogs, and basically anywhere on the internet have ideas on how you can DIY through your house. Just remember to leave the big stuff to the pros.
Pad your Timeline
New bathroom in six weeks? Sure! We’re optimistic people, but we also are realistic. The truth is even the best laid plans can get out of control. If you hire a contractor any number of things can come up and cause a delay in renovations. With that said, if your contractor is really behind, it might be time to have a talk. Either way, even a DIY plan can get off track, so if you think you can wrap up in a few weeks, add a couple just to be on the safe side.
Patience
They say that patience is a virtue and we can’t speak on that, but we can say that home renovations take forever! Ok, that’s a bit dramatic, but when you’re excited about the finished product it is just painful to wait. But it’s necessary. There are a lot of moving parts and if one thing isn’t allowed to finish, it could ruin the whole thing. For example, you just tiled the new shower and you are dying to just step inside. Don’t do it! It takes time for tile and grout to set properly. If it doesn’t, you could end up with a cracked mess sure to leak to your subfloor and that is the last thing you want! Same goes for paint. It may feel dry to your touch, but it takes time to fully cure. Hang your family portrait too soon and it could leave a lasting mark.
When you say the words renovation or remodel it can send a shudder, but it’s not that bad, and really a nice investment on your home. So follow these tips and you’ll be off to a great start!