Renovations rarely go smoothly. If you count yourself among the select few who had done some large-scale renovation without delays, you are a well-organized person. But, if you want to learn more before embarking on a large-scale home renovation, here are a few tips.
Don’t daydream – start planning
Don’t waste your time dreaming about renovations, color combinations or material options. This activity won’t bring you any closer to your goal. Instead, you should consider the following factors:
- Best season and month for renovation;
- The number of free days you can link together;
- The time necessary to amass the money.
Also, check the weather – one of the most overlooked factors. Look at the long-term weather forecast to pinpoint the perfect days for in-house work.
Check if your home is listed
There is a slim chance of this happening as most people live in their own, somewhat young houses, but if you perchance live in a particularly old house, check if it is listed. There’s an unusually high probability for this to be the case if your home was built over a century ago. You can end up in court if you carry out unauthorized work on such a household, so be vigilant and check everything before you hire contractors.
Financial question
Of course, before you start thinking about any large-scale renovation, you have to sort your finances out. First, you need to check if the project, as you envision it, is financially viable considering your situation. Second, think about the consequences because there are bound to be some. A renovation in one part of the house can damage the entire wiring system, for example. Or put a hole in your plumbing. Of course, there’s no reason to get so dramatic, but you get the picture. So, how can you prevent this from happening? Simple, add a contingency sum to the overall renovation price tag. This sum should land somewhere between 10% and 20% of the renovation.
Loan problems
Are you having trouble getting a personal loan from a credit union or a bank? Is your renovation going to cost somewhere between 500$ and 10,000$? Then you can rely on bad credit loans also known as loans for poor credit. They are designed for people who may have trouble borrowing money due to their bad credit history, so don’t worry – they won’t judge!
Security
If you are a part of a larger family unit, you have to sit down and make arrangements on who will take time off work to manage the renovation. During larger projects, a household tends to be more vulnerable to break-ins. With exposed piping and building material in your backyard (or front yard), vandalism is also a realistic possibility. Security is a crucial factor in the renovation process!
Consider insurance
Does your home insurance cover renovations? If this clause doesn’t exist in your contract, have a talk with your insurance company. Plus, it goes without saying that alterations to the existing household, as an insured one, can throw additional curveballs at you. Bright and open communication is the key to avoiding any complications. Better make sure your insurance company knows everything about your renovation.
Secure your stuff
Remember – the contractors are there to do the work and make sure it is done without damaging the goods. However, securing those goods is your responsibility. Before the workers arrive and the renovation begins, you have to make sure all the tender pieces of furniture and other paraphernalia are secured. If you have enough room in your garage to move items such as lamps, shelves, decorations, etc., you are in luck. Alternatively, you can easily rent a metal container and pack your stuff there. Whatever cannot be moved has to be covered in a layer of protection. Thin plastic sheeting is the go-to solution for such occasions. Clearing out an adjacent room is probably overkill, but the reasoning for this varies on the context of the renovation and household itself.
Arrange sleepovers
If necessary, arrange sleepovers with your closest friends and family members. Not for the whole renovation, but from time to time. If you have kids, you’ll have to sit down and have a long talk with them. After all, they have to prepare for the renovation, too. Leaving their bedrooms while strangers take over the household can be a disturbing experience for them.
While it is necessary to treat yourself to a few daydream sessions, sooner or later you have to sit down and begin working on a plan. Every homeowner who has had a minimum of one previous experience with house renovations will tell you that the success of the project lives and dies with proper planning. With these tips, you should have at least a broad idea on how to strategize and prepare yourself for a daunting home improvement project.