Proper planning is vital in determining the success of any home renovation project. Proper planning can also save you some time and money and ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. Here are a few tips to help you with your planning. Using sites such as HandyAmerican.com can greatly assist you in this.
Inspect your Home
Thoroughly inspect your home to determine the condition it's in. Walk through the rooms and decide what needs to be done while keeping a critical eye on all aspects of your house. Decide which aspects of your home will be affected by any home renovation work such as plumbing, heating and electricity. If you're going to start a major project such as bathroom, basement or kitchen renovation, take measurements to determine how much space you have available to help you decide what sort of changes you'd like to make.
Do Your Homework
HandyAmerican.com emphasizes the importance of doing the proper research before undertaking any home renovation project. Determine the weak and strong points of your house, consult with friends, neighbors and even building suppliers to get an idea of the scope of the project you want to undertake. Run background checks on any contractors you are considering hiring, HandyAmerican.com advises that you check with your local municipal business bureau whether the contractor is fully licensed. It's also recommended that you check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged against the contractor or company.
Consulting with a qualified inspector or contractor on the nature of the work you want to have done is crucial, as experienced professionals can give you an idea of the work and costs involved in your home renovation project.
Shop around to get price ranges for things you may need in your home renovation. Research prices as well as durability and quality so that you can make educated choices.
Plan Properly
Have a professional make up scale drawings of the renovation work you'd like done. Get expert advice on what can and cannot be done in your project to achieve your goals. Doing this ensures you avoid construction problems later down the road. Consult with the expert on what should be done and when, compile a list of the work that needs to be done so everything is well organized. Plan your budget and make allowances for inevitable events that will make your project go over budget. Always plan for unforeseen expenses.
Permits and Financing
You may have to take out a loan if you don't have enough savings for your home renovation project. There are many different ways of financing your project such as credit lines, credit cards, mortgage extensions and personal loans. Explore the most suitable form of financing for your situation.
Your renovation project will need the required permits and you will need to adhere to local building codes so be sure to submit your renovation plans to your local municipality's urban planning department. If you've hired a professional for the job, they may assist you with this.
Preparing the Work Site
Remove all furniture and valuables from the work site and establish rules and boundaries with your contractor to ensure you'll experience the least amount of disruption possible.
Supervising the Work
If you have the necessary experience to deal with contractors and tradesmen then make sure you are always available to supervise the work, if not you can use the services of an independent contractor, you can find a comprehensive list of reputable contractors on sites such as HandyAmerican.com as well as many free articles on various home renovation projects.
Posted by: TrustedPros