Have you been thinking about renovating your house or workplace but don’t know how to do it?
Well, in this case, don’t let your fears derail your plan!
Whether it’s a newly bought one or your old house, renovating it can be extremely rewarding for you. It will attract more buyers and will hike the price if you are planning to sell it after renovation. Or, it can become an ideal home for you to live in, by minimizing the issues you faced before.
But, you should keep in mind that having a home remodeled can be a very challenging and daunting task. However, with proper planning (in advance), you can make this process pretty smooth and efficient.
So if you are wondering what to do next, we have got you covered!
The following checklist will provide you with everything you need to do/know pre & post-renovation.
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Extra funds in the budget
One thing is for certain that no matter how good your planning is, there will always be surprises.
It is necessary that you keep a contingency fund in your budget, and utilize it efficiently to avoid any delays in the workflow. These funds can be used for eating and staying out due to some unexpected events during the renovation process.
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Doing your own research is very important
It is very important that you make time to ask around in your circle about their experiences regarding house renovations. It will provide you with a wealth of information about the challenges they faced and how they resolved their issues. You can use this valuable information to eliminate many errors that could have haunted you during the process.
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Selecting the contractor
This is a crucial step, so you better choose your contractor wisely!
When selecting a contractor, try to interview more than one, and ask for references to their previous customers. Contact some of those references and get firsthand information regarding their work.
You can always ask the contractor to provide you with pre & post renovation pictures of their previous assignments. Compare them based on the criteria mentioned above and select the one who seems more reliable for your project.
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Everything in writing
While interviewing the contractors, ask them to provide details of their proposals in writing. It will become much easier for you to compare them on all fronts later. After making your decision ask them to provide a detailed written summary, with labor and material cost mentioned separately.
This document will help you compare the end product with the initial proposal. And if things don’t go accordingly, you can hold them accountable for it.
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Calendar consulting
If you have plans to move into your renovated home or host an event in it on a particular date, you have to make sure to keep some extra days in between. As the process might face some unexpected delays, these reserve days will save you from bigger disappointments.
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Keeping the belongings secure
Renovations are messy and can cause damage to your precious belongings. If you are doing partial renovations to your house, then you can easily transfer your precious items into your non-renovation zone. But, if you are doing a complete overhaul of your house than making an onsite safe zone or renting an offsite locker will keep your belongings safe and secure.
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Tools
Create separate toolboxes for different jobs, like an electrical toolbox, plumbing toolbox, etc. Yes, this will result in added expenditure for buying the same tools for different boxes. But the time you will save from this method outweighs the costs substantially.
You can also create storage bins for tools at an easily accessible location onsite. Just make sure to place them back at their respective locations for future ease.
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Protecting the Kids & Pets
The renovation process can be dangerous for your little ones, as tools, electrical wires, and sharp edges are left exposed. You have to keep them under your supervision and away by installing child safety gates. You can store sharp objects well out of their reach, and use electrical safety covers to avoid any unpleasant incident.
Around 90% of pet owners consider their fluffy friends a part of their family. The renovation process can stressful for your pets, too, so you must consider their safety and security. While planning the remodeling process, always have someone to look out for them to avoid any mishap.
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Weather Check
Keeping the weather forecasts in check is necessary for smooth operations of outdoor and indoor renovations. Don’t bank on the weather forecasts to be accurate all the time, and try to do the outside work like painting, wood cutting, etc., on pleasant days.
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Hiring a professional
Many people go for house renovation to get rid of bug infestation. Where renovations are meant to improve your place, these bugs might give you a tough fight for their survival.
Where bug killer sprays can be really useful but sometimes, the battery of these little creatures can make your life miserable. This is when you need to consult a pest management consultant for professional help.
They use specialized equipment and perform thorough searches around the house to locate and get rid of the bugs. They can be called upon for periodical visits to keep the house bug free whenever you feel the need.
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Bug killer sprays
Of course, you won’t hire a professional every time you see a bug inside your house. In order to deal with them, you have to keep some bug killer sprays at your home. As they are highly poisonous, keep them out of the reach of the little ones and the pets. Make sure to remove the carcasses of the bugs immediately to avoid attracting other bugs.
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Every day check-in
Ask someone from your family or any reliable friend to keep an eye at the renovation site. Ideally, you should be the one visiting regularly, if you want the renovation process to go according to your plans. If someone is there all the time, they can effectively rectify many mistakes before they become any major inconveniences.
Conclusion:
Renovation of your home is a daunting and challenging task that affects the balance of your life explicitly. But, the motivation and excitement of moving into your renovated house, along with careful planning, get you through this process efficiently. Just make sure to follow the checklist, and be prepared in advance for all the surprises it entails. There are some tasks where your ‘DIY’ knowledge won’t help, and all you will need is some professional help. But don’t hesitate, as the result will be really rewarding.
