Dreaming of renovating your condo or your family home for some time now? You might be excited – with the Pinterest board ready and the stencil designs set aside! Are you busy doing up the budget for the furniture? Hold on! It is time to take a break! You might be on the verge of making a mistake. For starters – you do not go around budgeting for the furniture or picking up tile – at this initial point. You require a schedule and a plan to execute this renovation process.
This article will give you an idea about the mistakes that you may make in the renovation process, why a professional service is required, and some red flags to avoid.
What mistakes may you make while renovating?
If you are a novice to the domain of renovating and remodelling a house, despite all your excitement and ambitions, it is better to seek the services of a – renovation contractor.
However, if you are in two minds about the same, and wish to clarify some specifics before going ahead with the hiring, here are a couple of mistakes you might make as a first-time/inexperienced person –
- Do you know the difference between remodelling and renovating?
You have decided to renovate your home, but you end up remodelling your home. That, unfortunately is a mistake that a novice like you may make. Renovation implies restoration to a previous state, while remodelling is creating something new.
Now – if you are looking to renovate your house, there are particular spaces that you may not change. But you have to ensure that those spaces do not have a weak structure or have lost their colour. Figuring that out requires professional knowledge.
Also, if you plan to remodel your home, then you have to begin from one end and stick up to the other without any glitches in the middle.
A professional would know how to go through the process and execute your dream realistically.
- What kind of materials do you need for the process?
Another mistake you might make is not knowing the quality or standard of the products you will have to use to renovate your home. The hardware for various areas, such as the kitchen, bathroom, or bedrooms, is to be of durable quality.
Also, the cement, colours, and basic nuts screws and must be of high and long-lasting quality. If there are any additional goods that you require for the renovation process – you will have to cautiously pick out the hardware brands.
Again not every brand may be as good as they market themselves to be. This is where a professional’s experience matters in comparison to a novice.
- How is the process executed?
Where to start and how to proceed? What about the lights? When to buy the furniture? How to set the space? These are areas you may make a mistake. However, a professional can assist in the execution of your renovation idea in a practical manner.
- Do you have a budget (overall and exclusive)?
This is another area where you may make a mistake. Normally – a condo renovation could cost you somewhere between $22,000 – $55,000, whereas for a house, it could start from $35,000 and go up to $75,000. This is barely an estimate.
Within an overall budget, you will require a specific area budget or, rather an exclusive budget (for specific areas which you wish to set up).
A professional will know the specifics compared to the novice you are.
- What about the timeline?
You might think that you will get the house painted in a fortnight. Start working on it – and you will not know how 20 days will pass. Not having a set deadline and finishing the work within it is another mistake you will make, contrary to a professional.
Is professional service important?
You have figured out the problems you may have when you do not seek professional assistance. Hence, it is better to seek help. For the same, check –
- If the professional has his set of licenses and practice papers.
- Whether he (his services) or his company’s services are listed in the local office/notary
- Does he have a portfolio of his works? What does the contract state? How is the payment made?
As a novice or someone who does not have the same level of experience as a ‘noted’ professional, you must seek the assistance of someone who knows the intricacies and pitfalls of the job.
What red flags must you note?
As you have noted, the services of a renovation contractor are crucial. Hence, you need to note the discrepancies before you hire one yourself. How will you check the same?
- Start by checking their license and contractual agreement terms. A professional contractor will have the area or town certification to work (US Green Building Certification, LEEDS Certification). If there is a discrepancy, you should backtrack your steps.
- Next, you must check the contractor’s listing in the local office (notary, local town office, county office). There must be an exact address of the concerned person.
- The payment mode is another red flag option. If the concerned contractor insists ‘only’ on taking cash (though in some instances, cash payments work) – then be assured of some glitch. Typically, payment options are varied – from cheques to online transactions (as documentation).
- What about the contracts they are providing? Please read through the contract in detail before you sign up for the renovation process. With the housing and renovation costs skyrocketing – one mistake could cost you thousands of dollars.
- Lastly, presenting a portfolio of his work is another essential part (if he/she is not a novice). It is advised that you go through the same; if there are queries, you may note the same down and put up the questions later.
If there is a glitch in any of the above mentioned factors, it is time you look for alternatives.
Closing thoughts
Renovation of a space (irrespective of its size) is challenging and requires as precise execution as planning. Therefore, despite one’s thoughts and ideas of ‘making over the space all by themselves’ – it is judicious to seek the assistance of a professional service provider.
Given their work experience and knowledge in this domain, they will be able to integrate your designs into their renovated format professionally and systematically maintain the budget. After all – home is where the heart is.
