An Ultimate Home Renovation Guide

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An Ultimate Home Renovation Guide

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Category : Home Renovation

Have you ever decided to renovate your house but confused about where and what to begin with? Should you start with remodelling your living room, your kitchen, or your bathroom? Should you start by demolishing unused spaces, repainting your faded walls, replacing old windows or installing new plumbing systems?

If you are looking for answers to these questions, then you are in the right place.

What are the first steps you need for a home renovation?

Firstly, make a to-do list. List down all the changes that need to be carried out. Analyse all the aspects of your house which require serious remodelling. For example, if notice water stains coming from the roof, you need to repair your roof. If you are getting frequent electrical surges, you may want to check for faulty electrical appliances or consider rewiring your entire system. These issues are among the more common signs that your home needs some TLC.

Secondly, prepare a budget. House renovations are usually expensive projects that require significant investments. Taking into consideration your to-do list, try to analyse and calculate approximately how much the entire job will cost. For example, the expenses for the remodelling of the kitchen could include the cost of adding new quartz countertops, new vintage kitchen faucets and new sleek kitchen appliances. Now, compare your estimated expenditures with your actual funds to see if your renovation project is feasible.

Once you have your budget set, try to prioritise the rooms that desperately need remodelling. For example, if you have a limited amount of resources available, you might want to cross out some minor renovations for next time and focus on the most significant ones.

Who will carry out the renovations?

You can hire professionals for a home renovation. If you recruit a contractor, they will help you with the where, when and how of starting your renovation project. You can also hire an interior designer or architect to get more creative and appealing house concepts. A 2015 survey by Houzz’s staff noted how high-quality results were obtained due to contractors and design-build firms.

However, if you have some DIY skills and equipment, and if your project is small enough, you might be better off handling the renovation yourself so that you can save money.

With the high number of online interior design services and DIY home renovation ideas available to you, you can quickly develop interesting ideas for your home renovation. In addition, you can research the items that you need to buy and look for the cheaper prices. This is known as a cost-saving strategy for all homeowners.

Start the Renovations

Once you have established your priority list, budget, plan, and strategies, the work can begin.

First, it is essential to clean out all the clutter and junk to create more space. Then, as per the design crafted by the contractor or by yourself, the demolishing or remodelling process can start. New plumbing systems are installed, roof leakages are repaired, damaged windows are replaced, fresh paint is applied, concrete floor covering is installed, and brand-new furniture and appliances are arranged.

However, one vital thing to keep in mind while renovating is the budget. According to the 2017 statistics of Houzz, 46 percent of homeowners had exceeded their fixed budgets. Most of the time, it can happen that you have exceeded your set budget. Or, other unexpected issues can arise.

The only way out is to have a backup plan.

A backup involves arranging extra equipment, resources and support of people ahead of time and before the renovation project starts. You make preparations in case your ideas fail or your project turns into a never-ending nightmare. It also ensures that you do not get stuck and do not have to pull your hair out.

According to several home renovators we’ve spoken to: “renovation is like pulling a loose thread on a cheap sweater- the job keeps unravelling.”

Do you have the same opinion? Please share your comments.

How to Stay Sane During your Home Renovation

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Category : Home Improvement

Do you have a hard time to keep you calm while going through a home renovation? It is true that home improvement is hard work and if you are a faint-hearted person, better learn to be patient weeks before starting your project. A home renovation project can test your relationship as well as your handyman skill as well. Despite the hardships, the results are extremely rewarding.

If you are going for DIY home improvement, it is definitely a cheaper alternative especially if you are on a strict budget. On top of that, you get to go through a lot of trials and errors and learn a lot of new things. If you are planning to have a DIY renovation project, check out the tips below, I am sure that they will save you from a lot of unnecessary hassle!

• Always be practical and realistic with your ideas

Nowadays with the help of technology, you will get tempted by all the fancy styling and big ideas on Pinterest. However, embarking on such a huge DIY project is not always the best option. While going through the internet to find your ideas, it is important to keep your budget and handyman ability into consideration. While it can seem easy while watching the videos, it might cost you more time or materials. Choose well!

• Always plan your project from the beginning to the end

Before initiating anything, it would be advisable to plan your project from the start till the end. Planning on the go will just complicate things as renovation comes with a lot of small changes as well. Better plan everything so that you can get a clear picture of how much time and effort it is going to take. In addition to that, proper planning will not make you confused later on as well.


• Make your shopping list and plan your budget accordingly

A home renovation project does come with its share of expenditure. Make sure that you put everything on your lists such as décor pieces and accessories, construction materials, tradesmen, fittings and furniture. Since it is a DIY project, the costs might add real fast and you might end up buying things which you do not need. If you don’t want any last minute bad surprises. Planning is better. Shop only according to your budget.

• Ask for help

When it comes to home renovation, accepting help can be a real boon. May it be your friend or sibling willing to help you with the paint or your in-laws offering to babysit the kids. Even if they do not offer, you can come forward as ask for help. Try to ask as many people as possible and see if they manage to get some time off from their busy schedule. Reach out for help before your renovation date starts.

• It’s okay to outsource when needed

If you know a friend who has special skills and can help you out, well there is no shame of hiring him to do something which you are struggling with. Even though you are a handy person, there are things which you should leave for professionals such as plastering and electrical works.

• Plan your breaks

While you have started to work on your project, some days you might want to just finish the work before resting. Sometimes it does not happen until you are fully exhausted. That’s why it is vital to schedule break time as no renovation is more important than your health. By resting and recuperating yourself, you are going to be able to concentrate more.

• Opt for meal prep

Since renovation is a full-time job, it is better to be fully prepared beforehand as you will practically have no energy to do something else. Prepare your meals ahead and refrigerate them which will save you money and time. This will also allow you to eat healthily.

• Take the inconveniences into consideration

While you are still in the process of renovating, there is going to be a lot of inconveniences around you in the house. Most of the time, you will not be able to cook or do the dishes if you are doing the kitchen part, while for the bedroom part, you will not be able to enjoy your bed for few days. It’s better to plan beforehand which problems you are going to face so that you can come up with a solution.

• Finish it off completely before rearranging the tools

Once your renovation is over, make sure that everything is done perfectly before put away the tools. It can be quite annoying that you started to clean up and you find out that work has not been done completely. It can be time-consuming and frustrating, better make sure that the job is done right.

In the end, doing your home renovation on your own is very fruitful and something that you can brag about with your guests.

Basement Renovations – Using the Dormant Living Space

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Category : Home Improvement

When starting home expansion and renovation projects, one of the spaces we always forget is the basement. Instead of breaking down walls or constructing new buildings why not invest in renovating the basement you already have? Basements are living spaces waiting to be used as kitchens, playrooms, or even an extra bedroom you could rent off as an apartment.

A basement renovation can be a daunting task to undertake whether you carry it out yourself or with the help of a professional. With a number of regulations to consider, it is helpful to know what you’re getting into before you start.

Dry it out

Eliminating all the moisture from your basement will help make the space more comfortable and protect your furniture and fixtures. If your basement is filled with significant moisture, and by this, we mean an actual pool of water, you’ll need to consult with a professional. But for less invasive moisture there are a number of easy DIY tasks you can carry out to cure water problems, such as: sealing cracks with special caulking, moving drains away from your walls, and even a good coat of water-lock paint can significantly reduce moisture.

Install an egress

Many homeowners like to side-step this task, but a well-placed egress can both save your life and improve the look of your room. The International Building Code requires that spaces have a means of egress that is fully accessible in case of an emergency. A good option for basements is to install a window that will be easily accessible and bring in some light. This will help your basement look less like a dungeon, as well as bring in some fresh air which could help with reducing moisture.

Plumbing

Whether you convert your basement into a laundry room, kitchen, or bedroom with its own ensuite bathroom, the plumbing connections of your basement need to be tested and properly installed to ensure the basement stays dry and, yes, yet again, free of any moisture.

Creating the space

Once you’ve decided exactly what you’d like to do with your room, sit down and plan how many rooms you will need, and whether or not you need walls. Framing the walls is an important process that will mark off your new living spaces and provide you with skeletons to hold electrical wires and outlets. When these are finalized, drywall installation can start taking into account all your appliances.

 

Only one question left: how are you going to decorate it?

Home Renovation on a Budget

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Category : Home Improvement

Whether big or small, home renovation costs can quickly get out of control. Here’s how you can keep your renovation on budget.

 

Creating and sticking to a budget

Create a spreadsheet or a list on a piece of paper and include the costs of all the works that need to be done. Request free quotes from professionals to get an exact idea of the amount of money you’ll spend on re-tiling the bathroom floor or adding cabinets in the kitchen. It is only after making up the list will you see areas that are eating up a lot of your budget. Make adjustments on expensive materials, and if necessary, cut out items altogether.

First things first – be realistic.

Make a realistic plan or list of work that has to be done and honestly decide which one is for DIY and which ones are to be handled by professionals. For instance, hiring a pro for light demolition like taking down unwanted cabinets, appliances or tile work is not necessary. Unless you’re not really into DIY, take care of these little tasks yourself.

Don’t rush through things

Take your time to carefully and meticulously plan everything! Wait for that additional paycheck that is due next month before starting to buy materials. If you are aware of any future sales promotion on any essential construction materials, then hold back until the items are on a discounted price.

A step by step process

When renovating on a budget, it is always wise to tackle one room at a time. If you have started with the kitchen, don’t start work on another room before finishing. Even if you have to wait one more month to start work on a new room, do it. Proceeding step by step will prevent you from living in a house with unfinished rooms for months.

Reusing whatever can be reused

A practical way to save money is reusing old furniture, cabinetry and some appliances. Give them a touch of fresh paint or have them repaired by professionals before buying new ones. Items like kitchen cabinets and book shelves can be renovated on a budget. You can also look for used items on the internet to buy from people who are moving and want to get rid of their old, but still usable, materials.

Ask for help

Don’t hesitate to ask friends to help. If you know someone in the trading professional services, ask for their help and see if they can give you a discount or a package of all the work they can perform.

DIY v/s Professional Home Renovation

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Category : Home Improvement

Embarking on a DIY home renovation project is a great idea. The planning, actual work and final result can be really therapeutic as it imparts homeowners a sense of control. However, DIY doesn’t necessarily mean taking over the whole project on your own. Sometimes, and especially for some work, the help of professionals is crucial.

What can I really do myself?

Well, realistically, there are various works that do not require previous experience or expertise in a particular field. Some work can be done with the help of other family members and done with your partner together with the children, including:

• Repainting interior walls, doors and the exterior facades
• Adding interior or exterior lighting to update fixture décor
• Refreshing your cabinets with fresh paint
• Hanging wall art in a room to change its look
• Enhancing any room with new window coverings

Home renovation starts with good planning

Making mistakes and running into unforeseen problems are part and parcel of any DIY projects. That is why planning everything from small sketches to making a list of materials needed is so important. And it’s during the planning that you’ll decide which work you can tackle yourself, and which ones will be managed by professionals. Additionally, a well prepared plan should take into account the available budget. Visit home renovation professionals websites and request free quotes on the various services they offer! This will give you an idea of the amount of money you’ll spend hiring experts in the field.

Tackling your house’s structural repairs

Unless you are an experienced mason or architect, tackling structural repairs in any house or building on your own is strictly forbidden. Most old homes have structural problems, and as homeowners, you should expect these types of building to have structural wear. Repairs of this nature need to be thoroughly inspected and evaluated by certified engineers, architects or a team of contractors.

DIY is the solution to unlock your creativity

DIY is an expressive way to tap into your creativity. Don’t be shy to experiment with new colours, shapes and concepts for your home renovation project. Whether you’re being helped and advised by professionals or repainting your walls, don’t be afraid to express your views if you don’t agree with some of their propositions. Go on Pinterest or any other social platforms for inspiration and start planning your home renovation project today.

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