Are you currently renovating your house? If so, congratulations! Renovating your home is a great way to improve the quality of your living. Not only will it look better than before, but you can also drastically reduce energy costs by upgrading appliances and sealing up air leaks.
However, there is a lot to be aware of when renovating your home. There are many things that can go wrong without proper precaution. So, if you’re currently doing renovations, here’s some important advice to keep in mind:
Find A Good Contractor And Stick With Them
Contents
This is especially important when renovating your house. A good contractor will know what they’re doing and will be able to help you get the results you want. They’ll also be able to provide advice and recommendations, which can be invaluable during a renovation project.
It’s also important to be clear about what you want from your contractor. Make sure you’re not pressuring your contractor to do things you don’t necessarily want them to do. Some contractors might recommend unneeded or unhelpful services or products simply because they can make commissions on those sales.
For example, if you don’t need new windows right now, but your contractor recommends them anyway, it’s likely that he just wants to make money. Not all contractors are like this, but it can happen. Make sure you’re not just pushing renovation work that’s not actually necessary right now for your own convenience or because of pressure from the contractor.
You also want to be careful about who you hire as a contractor. When renovating, it’s important to work with the right roofing contractor. A good contractor will ensure that the job is done right – and up to code. Don’t just hire any random person out there; only work with licensed and insured contractors.
Make Sure Your Permit Is Up To Date
A few things are required prior to renovations, including permits. You must have a permit for renovations or additions that exceed ¼ of the whole building’s value, more than fifty dollars in repairs on your roofing system, and all electrical work. Additionally, you need a permit for plumbing work if it involves replacing fixtures, adding new ones, or when making changes to the drainage or venting systems.
It’s important that you have your permit up to date, as inspectors will be visiting your property to ensure work is being carried out according to code. If something isn’t up to code, it can lead to costly fines – not to mention having to redo the work that was done incorrectly. There are some instances where you won’t need a permit, such as replacing broken windows or doors, building fences less than six feet high, and putting up insulation.
Don’t Forget To Use Your Homeowner’s Insurance
Many homeowners choose to renovate their homes themselves, instead of hiring a professional. While this can save you money in the short term, it can also lead to costly mistakes if you’re not careful.
One of the most important things to remember when renovating your home is to use your homeowner’s insurance. This will protect you in case of accidental damage or injury. If you don’t, you could end up with an expensive repair bill that might have been covered under your insurance policy if you had used it.
Also, consider how renovating your home will affect the resale value. Potential buyers are likely to factor in the cost of any repairs when they’re looking at a property. So, if you’re planning on selling your home in the near future, it might be wise to hold off on any major renovations.
Get Competitive Bids.
When renovating your house, it’s important to get competitive bids from different contractors. This will help you get the best price and the best work done. It’s also important to have a good understanding of what the project will entail so that you can ask the right questions of the contractors.
Be sure to ask for references and contact them to see what those contractors have done elsewhere. If you feel comfortable, ask them for a bid as well. Once you have all of the bids, compare them based on quality and price, and then go with your gut feeling about which contractor you want to use. You should also consider incentive programs that some contractors may be offered.
Don’t Take Shortcuts With Safety
Renovating your house can be a fun and exciting process, but it’s important to remember that safety should always come first. Although some renovations are simple, others can be extremely dangerous. When doing any type of work around the house, always wear the proper safety equipment.
If you have young children or pets at home, keep them away from any work zones. If needed, put up temporary barriers to keep them safe.
Also make sure that before you start renovating that you have a clear path to the door so in case of emergency, you’ll be able to get out quickly.
Finally, always consult a professional before starting any major renovation project. They can help you avoid dangerous mistakes and ensure that your renovation is done safely and correctly. Taking these precautions will help ensure a safe and successful renovation project.
