Whilst there are new housing complexes being built on an ongoing basis, there are many existing houses and housing complexes which are, in some ways, more desirable to many homeowners. As such, your new home may be less than perfect for your needs or simply need a little updating or cosmetic pampering. It seems apt, therefore, to have a very general look at home renovations for those who prefer older, perhaps more characterful homes than the modern standard look-alikes which take a lot more work to make them as unique and individual as their owners.
Large or small – renovations are best carried out by specialists
It makes no difference where in the house the renovations are needed; they are best carried out by professionals who are skilled, knowledgeable and experienced in their field. Whether the renovation needed is on a small scale, involving just one room or a section of a room, or on a larger scale involving several different trades specialists, there are certain factors which must be taken into account beforehand.
Allow for the disruption of a renovation project
First and foremost, be prepared to put up with a certain amount of inconvenience, disruption and mess for a time. Even if you are only removing a bath and replacing it with a shower stall, you must be aware that the room will be largely out of action for a few days whilst the work is ongoing. There will be tiling and plumbing work to be done, which could last for a couple of days or a week or so, depending on the scale of the work, the size of the bathroom and the availability of the tiles, as well as unplanned delays which could occur for a number of reasons. If you factor this into your planning, it will cause far less stress and annoyance if delays do happen.
Don’t rush your project – give it the time it needs
Secondly, give yourself – and your renovations specialists – adequate time to complete the work to a high standard. Nothing (even these days) is an instant fix, especially if you want it to be done correctly, with no call-backs and recriminations after the job is finished. Don’t try to rush a larger renovation project unnecessarily just for the sake of getting it finished.
Renovations will involve more than one specialist
Remember that no matter how simple or complex the renovation project is, there will most likely be several different professions involved in putting it all together. If you are adding an additional room onto your house, there will be bricklayers, tilers, window or door specialists, glaziers, plasterers, painters, roofers and electricians on site at some point during the build. If you are adding onto or redesigning a kitchen or bathroom, plumbers and cabinet-makers will be working on site at some point as well. Each aspect of the build requires a specialist’s input, but obviously these specialists will not all be on site at the same time, and there should be a smooth flow in the work so that each professional comes into the project at the right point. For larger renovations involving many different specialist fields – such as those mentioned above – you will definitely benefit from the expertise of a project manager who will oversee the whole job to ensure that deadlines are met, potential problems are resolved quickly and efficiently by ensuring that alternative plans and scheduling are put in place, required materials are ordered and delivered timeously, and that everyone is on site in a smooth flow of co-operative workmanship. Smaller jobs can be self-managed by the owner, but good organizational skills and quick decision-making capabilities are almost a prerequisite, as is an ability not to panic when inevitable problems raise their nasty little heads.
Although they are often messy and inconvenient, renovations can also be a lot of fun
All is not doom and gloom when it comes to renovations. Renovation work can also be great fun. Think of the new choices offered in tiles, colours, textures, carpets, curtains, window- and door-styles, built-in cupboards and furniture (which can be extremely space-saving and offer a host of clever storage solutions). Some people enjoy the challenge of transforming unworkable rooms into bright and family-centered areas; so much so, that they move from house to house, revitalizing and bringing new life into unappealing or low-priced properties that many people would not buy because of the amount of work and money required to turn the property into an aesthetically pleasing and family-oriented home. Even if you are just starting out on your first renovation, don’t put it off because it seems too daunting. If you feel that the project is too overwhelming, there is always help available from a good foreman or project manager.
