Do you want to change or upgrade your home? Renovating your property is a big decision to make, and one that should not be made lightly. While it can be an exciting task to embark on, you want to make sure you have fully prepared yourself and your home, to make sure the process goes smoothly and to plan.
Before you start your renovation project, here are some of the most important factors that you should consider.
#1 Time
Depending on the type of renovations you are investing in and the scope of the work, they typically go on for a long time. You should ensure you have factored in the time it is going to take, as well as any delays that you cannot foresee. Renovations are likely going to disrupt your social life, and your home life for a while. Make sure you consider this when you want to see your friends, and make plans that will allow you to eat, sleep, shower, relax and hang out. This is especially important if there are going to be times when your bathroom, kitchen and bedrooms are being renovated and you cannot use them.
#2 Budget
Renovations will be expensive, and at times, you may have to pay more than you initially planned. Before you commit to the renovations, you should ensure that you have thoroughly researched the work that you want to be completed, spoken to various contractors and obtained quotes, and understand all the relevant costs involved. Your budget is going to be impacted by every single detail, from the flooring to the wallpaper. If you have a small budget, you may consider investing in a room at a time.
#3 Labor
It’s also important to consider who will be doing the labor. Are you DIY savvy enough to take on the renovation project yourself? Or would you be better off hiring contractors to do the work for you? If you do choose the latter option, you’ll need to consider exactly which company is right for the job. First, you need to make sure that a contractor has experience handling your type of project. For example, when building a sunroom, make sure to hire professionals that advertise themselves as sunroom builders. You should then take a look at their reputation. Do they have positive online reviews? If not, you may want to avoid them. After you have made these checks, you should then start to look into the price. Collect multiple quotes so that you can compare pricing and work out what is a good deal.
#4 Permits
Some renovations require permission from your local authority. This can be a timely process, as you will need to complete an application and wait for it to be reviewed. They will require information on the scope of the work, the contractors, the methods to be used and the materials, to ensure the project is safe. It is important to speak to your local authority to see what permissions and permits you need to obtain to ensure you remain compliant. If you do not obtain this before you start working on your property, you are breaking the law and you could be given costly fines and your work will be delayed or stopped. Without the correct permits, contractors may not complete the work, and insurance policies will be void.
#5 Property foundations
The foundation of your property is vital to any renovations that are going to be completed. You should review the structure of your property and ensure its integrity is intact. If you think there may be a problem, then you should hire a foundation repair expert. Foundation issues can be extremely serious, and are important to resolve before investing in any renovations. This will ensure the work can go ahead safely, and you won’t run into any problems later down the line.
If you are thinking of renovating your home, consider these top factors before you sign any contracts.
