Preparing for a Home Renovation

Home Renovation
Committing to a home renovation brings some challenges, as well as the anticipation of a fresh new living space. If you think and plan ahead before beginning, you’re more likely to have a good outcome as well as a smoother experience.

Before you call contractors

Before you begin to get bids from contractors, there’s work to do. First, set your budget, schedule, and how long you can allow for the work to be done. Renovations generally take longer than the time allotted for them, so build a few extra weeks into your scheduling plans, at the least. It’s wise to expect the unexpected because every home has some surprises–sometimes they’re good, like beautiful hardwood flooring under the carpeting, and sometimes they are not so good, like faulty electrical wiring that will have to be replaced and rerouted. It’s a good idea to allow a bit of extra time and money to deal with the unexpected. If you’re doing multiple rooms, have the kitchen done first. Upgrades on the kitchen often add the most value to a house, and on a more immediate note, you’ll want to have your kitchen functioning again as soon as possible. Hang plastic over doorways in the areas being worked on to contain dust and dirt from construction. Make sure to interview several contractors and compare the bids and timing they offer.

Adding a home office

If you’re adding a home office as part of the renovation, make sure it gets lots of natural light. Strategic window or skylight placement can help with this, and sometimes even adding a mirror to reflect natural light into the area will do the trick. However, in some situations, there is no natural light to be had in the devoted office space. If this is the case, do your research and plan to have overhead lighting installed. You can supplement it with area or task lamps, too. If your work is solitary and requires quiet, then locate the office in a less busy area of your home.

Do you need a home warranty?

Once the renovation is completed, consider investing in a home warranty. Such a policy covers major appliances and/or systems in your home. Many companies allow you to select the coverage that is important to you. You can do a bit of digging to find out if a home warranty is worth it for you. If, for example, the HVAC system in your home is original to the structure, and the warranty on it expired long ago, you might wish to purchase a policy that will cover it. Before you make your decision, see if your appliances have current warranties on them and what those cover, and check the report from your inspector to see if it indicates any questionable systems or appliances. A home warranty can give you peace of mind, as well as potentially save you lots of money if a costly appliance should break down.

The big picture

Before you undertake a renovation, make plans. If you won’t be living in the home during the work, you might invest in a lockbox so the contractor and workers can let themselves in. Make plans for where the workers can park their vehicles and unload supplies. Talk with your neighbors about the amount of time, inconvenience, and noise that can be expected. Speak with the contractor about any permits needed and make sure these are in place.

Although some headaches will happen, a renovation is a great way to upgrade your home. Whether you’re adding a home office or a kitchen or having the electrical wiring redone, this might be the perfect time to consider a home warranty to protect your investments. If you take time to vet the contractor and hire trustworthy and reliable people, budget for expenditures of time and money, you should have a positive outcome and add value to your home for years to come.

If you’re in the Roswell/Atlanta area of Georgia, consider contacting Singular Home Improvement for a free quote on your renovation project.

By Emily Graham – Mighty Moms