For many people, House Renovations Mount Gravatt can be so transformational, fulfilling, and rewarding when done correctly. Whether you’re renovating the kitchen, redoing the bathroom, or upgrading the living room, a home makeover becomes a personal adventure house.
Like all adventures, however, many things could go wrong. Unfortunately, many homeowners often dive straight into the renovation process with no idea of what to expect.
It’s only after they suffer the repercussions of a failed project that they regret not having a plan.
No planning
From wrong materials, distressing unforeseen delays to hidden expenses that come up unexpectedly, renovating your home can easily turn into the most stressful event of your life.
This usually happens if you’re not completely prepared for your renovation project. You can end up becoming overwhelmed by the number of mishaps that could suddenly pop up. Typically, they are usually not pleasant at all.
Unlike the simple and practically easy way they depict it on TV shows, the reality is that it requires a lot of energy, time, and money. If you want to get it right the first time, you need to consider and prepare before starting a renovation project in your house.
Map out your plan
It may sound like a regular undertaking but the plain fact is that building a house, or renovating it, is more complicated since you are starting from a blank canvas.
An example is you are upgrading your bathroom and adding a new bathtub. When installing it, you realize you overestimated the square footage of your bathroom. Not only is the toilet too close to your new tub, but there’s not enough room for you to comfortably move.
This is why it’s crucial to plan everything out before you start. Without a realistic and detailed plan, you could end up with a lot of disasters. There’s even a chance you might forget what your original goal was.
Try to create a detailed design direction and make a plan of action. Narrow down what you want in your renovation project. You need to figure out all the details and not just the big picture.
Set a budget
Once you’re clear about what you want, set the budget. Before you get too attached to that photo in a magazine or at Pinterest, run the numbers. Do as much window shopping as you can, and compare the prices for all the materials you need. If that seems like too much work for you, you can get quotes from suppliers and architects. Most builders usually visit a site and provide a free quotation. You can expect to pay around 50 percent of the material cost, 30 percent for labor, and 20 percent for tax.
Consider talking to at least three contractors, then start comparing bids. You need to know whether you are biting off more than you can chew.
Also consider some unanticipated mishaps along the way, like burst pipes or blown circuits.
Set aside a little extra money so that you won’t have to panic when things suddenly don’t go as planned.
Realistic timeframe
Before starting your renovation project, create a schedule that lists what task needs to be done and in what order. Since home makeovers involve hard work and long hours, most people often get quickly tired.
Get to know that the renovation process can be chaotic. It’s easy to forget about what you’re supposed to do, especially if you’re renovating several rooms. By having a schedule in place, you can work and keep your focus.
It’s also a fact that renovation projects can take longer than expected. Between unfavorable weather conditions, late delivery of materials, and subcontractors getting sick, various things could delay the project.
Be realistic when you’re figuring out a timeline. Think about how long you’re willing to use a temporary bathroom. Check your calendar and see if there are upcoming events that require your full attention.
Do you need permits?
Keep in mind that certain types of upgrades require city government permits. Today’s buyers and lenders check whether homes or commercial spaces complied with building codes and regulations.
Without these documents, you might encounter difficulties if you plan on selling or refinancing your home.
Airtight contract
When working with a professional builder, it’s in your best interest to push for an airtight contract. Even if you hire a contractor, accidents and issues beyond a human’s control can still happen.
Your contract needs to be specific and should include the following: payment schedule,
Timeframe, potential penalties if the contractor fails to meet the deadline, and details on all the work.
A detailed written agreement with protective clauses will protect you against smarmy contractors. A well-written contract not only protect you, but it will also show contractors you mean business. It will prevent them from attempting to scam you with vague language and little details.
Layout functionality
Most people fail to comprehend that the layout is as vital as the aesthetic appeal of the space. You might have probably seen pictures on the internet with a kitchen with hardly any room to comfortably move around.
Before you approve the floor plan, consider the square footage of the room and the layout of the remodel. Try to imagine what the room will look like if you are using all the drawers and appliances at the same time.
Maximizing spaces
If you’re planning on selling your home later, remember that storage space is one of the features that home hunters want. Houses located in small plots that maximize existing space is ideal to many.
By reworking spaces and reorienting a layout, you can increase aesthetic appeal, create a dual-use for a single room, and ensure no space is wasted.
Last notes
House renovation is a big decision that many homeowners face at least once in their lives. Whether it’s to add value to your home or improve the quality of your life, it can bturn out into an amazing e a very rewarding event.
However, renovation projects can also turn into your most expensive mistake. But with careful planning and the right approaches on making the project, it can turn into an amazing experience.