Preparing For A Home Renovation
Every homeowner will consider renovation at some point. Especially if you’ve been living in the same house for years and you’re the artistic, decorative type. Additionally, if you intend to put your home on the market, there are upgrades that will increase its value.
Preliminary Work
With the above in mind, one of the first things you should do is clean the home. Granted; you’ll need to clean it after you remodel, too. Water damage and mold should be taken care of first so that any new fixtures and wall replacements don’t cover the problem and allow it to fester. Although you can take care of certain issues such as small water spots, if you have mold, fire or storm damage, then contact a nationwide service Restoration Elite, who offer a full-coverage package, to address these problems.
If you’re using contractors, make sure they understand what you want and how the project should progress. You don’t want to see the results of a misunderstanding several weeks into the project. If you’re doing the bulk of the work yourself, then take all necessary safety precautions. Buy goggles to protect your eyes, work gloves to avoid splinters and nails, boots, a first-aid kit and ear protection for any drill work.
Measurements
You want to make correct measurements before you start tearing things down. If your dimensions are even a half-inch off, it will create a domino effect that could throw the entire project off. Mark down all measurements and then buy the necessary materials.
Materials
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is buying the cheapest materials you can find. If you can’t afford a home renovation right now, you should put it off until you’re financially stable. Cheap materials are cheap for a reason, and you may end up paying far more down the line.
Right Paint
These days there are many different kinds of paint suited for different surfaces. For example, it’s better to use flat paint for ceilings, and semi-gloss for bathroom trim. In fact, for any area of your home where an upscale look works better – such as your dining room – use semi-gloss.
The Bathroom
Renovating a bathroom requires more considerations than other areas of your house. After all, the plumbing issues are dominant here: the shower, the toilet and the sink. The experts at Plumbing Fix recommend drain cleaning before you begin making any changes to your bathroom that involves the plumbing.
You don’t want leaking pipes to become a problem as the project is underway. If you’re adding a new bathroom to the house, understanding the sewage system is a must, and will probably require the services of a professional plumber.
An Electrician
Depending on the scale of your home renovation, you’ll benefit tremendously from the services of an electrician. If you want outlets in different places, or new ones altogether, then you’ll need to understand the layout of the electrical grid. There are state codes that determine how an electrical system must be configured – and you, of course, need to adhere to them, as it’s a matter of safety.
Permits and Insurance
If you have homeowner’s insurance, then it is imperative that you understand the implications of home renovation for your policy. If you make changes to your home that require permits and you fail to obtain them, any damage that occurs will not be covered. Home renovation can be a lengthy process, and it’s best to do the prep work before you get started. Otherwise, it can be costly and ineffective.
Sara Belle is a super-connector with ManageBacklinks.io who helps businesses with building their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. Sara frequently writes about the latest advancements in the SaaS world and digital marketing.
James is an internet entrepreneur, blogging junky, hunter and personal finance geek. When he’s not lurking in coffee shops in Portland, Oregon, you’ll find him in the Pacific Northwest’s great outdoors. James has a masters degree in Sociology from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Bachelors degree on Sociology from Earlham College. He loves individual stocks, bonds and precious metals.