Renovating a house requires skill and, if we are speaking frankly, professional input from qualified contractors. Do it wrong, and you might find yourself going back to your wallet to finance another remodeling. Here are the common mistakes to avoid when planning a house renovation.
- By-passing professional contractors
Before you decide to swing a hammer at that wall, consult a professional contractor. They are able to survey the entire house, point out the key areas that need to be prioritized and synchronize their views with your wishes. Professional contractors also provide home inspection services for folks that wish to renovate a house they just bought from the market. Hiring professionals is a necessary expense if you wish the job to be done right the first time.
- Having a lowball budget
You renovate a house because you want to improve its quality/functionality. There is no room for working with a low budget. Again, be careful not to blow your budget. You want to do a good job at renovating without depleting your savings account. After all, you still have to deal with the same bills month in, month out. Since the cost of renovations seemingly go beyond expectations, set a reasonable budget plus a 20% extra to cover any uncovered expenses.
- Ignoring safety precautions
Just because it is your home does not mean you can overlook setting up the relevant safety measures. Once the hammers start swinging and the cables start hanging from the ceilings, every step you take could be catastrophic. Observe the necessary safety procedures such as putting on a hard hat and switching off the main breaker before attending to any electronical issues.
- Preferring form to function
Everyone wants to have a home that blows every visitor away. However, you need to strike a balance between function and form. This affects almost every aspect of the house including the window placement and the choice of materials. For instance, a kitchen needs as much room as possible to accommodate traffic in case of a fire hazard. This might mean sacrificing the oversized kitchen counter for a smaller, safety-inclined one.
- Mismeasurements
It is human to get carried away by the idea of how the house will look after renovation. That is why many folks buy items such as kitchen cabinets, install them then later realize; “my cooker won’t fit or my refrigerator is too tall to fit in the space left”. Always measure and re-measure the rooms and space before purchasing any fitting.
- Not getting the right permits
The law exists for a purpose. Just because it is your house does not mean you can by-pass getting the relevant paperwork signed. Also, should anything go wrong, you want your homeowner insurance to cater for the cost. They can only do so upon proof of warranted renovations.
- Giving priority to aesthetics
Sure, image is everything. However, what really matters is that which lies “under the hood”. Installing a new bathtub or kitchen cabinets sure will increase the re-sale value of the house, but only if the things that really matter have also be taken into consideration. Such include busted pipes, leaking roofs and faulty electrical wires.
You want your home renovation to go smoothly, safely and in accordance with the law. Contact General Contractors Los Angeles for professional input when getting your house renovated.
