Whether you are on your first home renovation or have been doing renovations as your career, there are always mishaps you wish you knew beforehand. As fun as these projects can be, there are things you always want to consider before, and during the renovation processes.
One of the best pieces of advice for tackling a renovation is to expect the unexpected. With that being said, there are points to consider that will help keep you prepared, and not caught off-guard if something should occur.
Here are five things to consider while you are preparing for a renovation.
Document Everything
Documenting everything is a good life habit to get into in general, but especially crucial during renovations. You can’t always rely on memory, particularly when things become stressful.
Writing down everything, from your to-do list, shopping list, warranties and whom you’re contracting and for what project, having a written document is more proof to back you up. If an argument occurred between you and the contractor, your document would back you up, rather than relying on he said or she said.
Budget for Serious Problems
If you are renovating an old house, this is very important for you. Expect that you more than likely will run into some problems, maybe even serious ones. Many people who do renovations find themselves in a mold situation once they start to tear walls down.
You’re best to include in your budget money for a serious issue like mold. Those sorts of problems should be left to companies who specialize in mold remediation. Get everything done right the first time so it doesn’t become a reoccurring problem.
Expect to Go Over Budget
As much as you don’t want to, there is a good chance you’ll end up over budget. That is because of those unexpected expenses that you don’t anticipate. Every purchase, no matter how small, will eventually add up. However, the more you can prepare yourself and have money set aside, the better equipped you will be to handle extra expenses.
Think Realistically
Although dreaming and being creative is part of the renovation process, but for everything to come together without breaking the bank (and possibly relationships), you’re best to be as realistic as possible. As much as we want to have the best of everything that cannot always come true.
The same goes with renovations. Even though the renovation is meant to update your house, that does not mean you need to get the most expensive features out there. However, if you find yourself not being able to compromise on something, it is okay to hold the project off until you can afford it.
Have a Lot of Fun
Your renovation should be as fun as possible. Look at the process in a rewarding way. You are the one who came up with the plan and are managing the whole operations. Enjoy the moments that come along with the renovation. You’ll be able to enjoy your new space that much more knowing how much fun you had putting in the work.
