Top five challenges when planning a home
remodel and how to fix them
While having an own house can be a rewarding experience, the needs to change and remodel which come with passage of time, can be a bit intimidating for homeowners.
From changing furniture to upgrading the pipelines and electrical fixtures, be aware of these five main challenges and learn how to deal with them in the appropriate manner.
That said, attempting DIYs for home maintenance may lead to disaster and this is where hiring a handyman becomes essential. While to remodel or renovate depends on your budget, hiring a contractor can save you money on buying tools for repairs and maintenance and make the overall job far cheaper.
# 1 Room additions
Building an extra room involves budgeting, creates detailed plans and obtaining the requisite permits and compliance with local building bye-laws. Apart from planning and preparation, the necessary materials need to be purchased as well as the tools.
Room additions require a dedicated and seamless expansion of your home that should align perfectly with your vision. For this you would need a room addition designer who shares the same vision as you and stays true to it from beginning to end. Moreover, for homeowners, a room addition not only offers a much better staying experience but increase in property value as well.
Again, while additions generally increase the market value of the home, the extent of this increase will depend more on location and from project to project. A real estate consultant can help you to determine if a particular home addition is right for you and the financial implications involved.
# 2 Outdated plumbing and Electrical issues
When renovating old homes, outdated electrical and plumbing fixtures can pose safety hazards and lead to costly repairs if not addressed in time. This could be due to the age of the house, worn out fixtures because modern households use far more water and electricity than which the older systems could handle.
Once you have identified the plumbing and electrical issues, you can opt for pipe replacement, installing new fixtures like faucets and shower heads with water efficient models and upgrade the water heater if it is over 15 years old.
For upgrading the electrical system, rewire the whole house with copper wiring, upgrade the electrical panel with the outdated circuit breakers to higher electrical panel.
# 3 Water Damage
Moisture problems are a major challenge in most homes, which become more evident at the time of renovation. If left untreated, it can cause the paint to peel, wall cracks and eventually structural damage.
Water damage can be due to leaking roofs and gutters, poor ventilation, cracks in walls and foundations and rising damp because of the detonation of the damp proof course.
Some common signs of moisture problems are signs of water stains on walls and ceilings, apart from peeling paint. Presence of mold and mildew, especially in areas of poor ventilation indicate high seepage levels.
To solve this problem, conduct regular roof and gutter repairs, waterproof the walls and foundation, install a damp proof course and repair the cracks in the wall and sealing joints. Furthermore, improve the ventilation, fix leaking pipes and waterproof the kitchen and bathroom to ensure long lasting renovation.
# 4 Bathroom renovation challenges
One of the most daunting tasks is renovating a bathroom in a house due to their constant exposure to moisture and humidity which makes them age the fastest than other sections of the home. When it is time for a makeover, consider replacing the old pipes with modern fixtures which are more durable and hire a licensed electrician to rewire the fittings.
Mold growth is another common problem with old bathrooms that can result in structural damage and even health issues if left untreated. So start by removing the rotten materials and waterproof the walls, floors and ceilings of the bathroom to prevent future water damage.
Bathroom renovation can take between 3-8 weeks to complete the initial stage, and homeowners may even spend a month or two only in collecting ideas and picking up fixtures and materials. A renovation specialist will be able to better work out a timeline that suits the owner.
# 5 Layers of prior bad renovation
You may not be the first to take a crack at renovation as multiple owners before you may have done substantial renovation over an extended period of time leaving behind a legacy of issues for you to tackle.
Before your remodeling work commences, do a dig on the poor workmanship or uneven carpentry in order not to risk ruining the end result. A shoddy extension perpetuated by previous owners may need to be dismantled before any new work can begin.
Commonly asked questions about home renovation mistakes first-time buyers make
- What should I fix first? Typically, you should pay attention to the kitchen but time your renovations correctly to still be able to live in the house when the renovation is in progress.
- Best months to renovate the house: The peak months for renovations are usually between May and September as they have the best weather which allows quicker and affordable renovations.
How to prepare for home renovation issues
While no one can predict the future, you can prepare for the unexpected home remodeling challenges by adopting an intelligent approach. Instead for waiting for something bad to happen, you can nip things in the bud by:
- Forming your talented home building team early.
- Keeping an open mind when contractor completes the work.
- Leave room in the budget until you get the all clear from the building crew.
The bottom line
Buying a home is a massive investment and if you are thinking of renovations, then probably you are going to stay there for some time. If a first time homebuyer, there is every likelihood you will make a few changes which will not only be fun but an exciting process.
While it is not one-size fits all when it comes to being a homeowner, it is imperative that one is aware of the common mistakes and thoroughly research them to save time and money.
