So, you’ve decided to do a remodel on your home. Perhaps you need a bigger bathroom or kitchen. Maybe you want to convert your attic into a living space rather than a storage space.
Whatever you’ve decided to do, it’s worth remembering that any type of remodel will cause some disruption to your daily life until it’s completed. Fortunately, if you’re prepared for it, you can get through a remodel without it being too much of an inconvenience. Here’s how to get prepared for your remodel.
Tell Your Home Insurance Provider
The most sensible thing you can do before starting a remodel is notify your insurance provider. Depending on the type of cover you have and your provider, you may not be covered to do a remodel. This could mean you need to find an interim provider while the work is being carried out.
Other providers are more than happy to extend your cover to include your remodel which will cover your home should anything go wrong. In most cases, providers are happy to cover the remodel but you will need to pay extra now and when the remodel is completed.
Find An Architect
You should never attempt to remodel your home without advice from an architect. Although you may have a general idea of what you want to do, architects are able to see so much more than the average person when it comes to design. An experienced architect will be able to advise you on how best to use your space.
An architect will also be able to help you stay in keeping with the other properties in your area. This is a tremendous help should you need to seek approval for extending or building on your property. It’s important to remember that your neighbours will get a say.
Building Paperwork
Once you have completed the design with your architect, you’ll need to hire a trustworthy builder. To find a builder you can trust to do your remodel well, ask family and friends for recommendations. Ask builders to show you their certifications and licenses.
When you agree on the work set out for your remodel, make sure you have a contract in writing and both parties sign the contract. Keep a copy for yourself so you have it to refer to should you need it throughout the building work.
Check The Timeline
A remodel on your home will cause some disruption but this disruption is much easier to live with if you have a timeline that your builder can stick to. It can help you to deal with work being carried out if you know when it will end. Your builder should be able to provide you with a project timeline.
Although these timelines are very rarely perfect, they should give you realistic expectations. Ask your builder to keep the lines of communication open throughout the whole remodel so you know when materials have been ordered, when they are expected to arrive, and when they will be installed.
Make Use of Storage
It’s wise to declutter your home before a remodel. It can help to put some of your belongings into storage elsewhere. This is useful for several reasons.
Firstly, it gives the building team the space they need to work properly and get the job done as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Secondly, it keeps your precious belongings safe from harm. Although builders will take every precaution, accidents can happen and your belongings may get damaged in the process.
Lastly, it’s a good way for you to start from scratch once the work is completed. There’s nothing quite like designing a blank canvas.
Make a Plan
When you decide to go ahead with a remodel, there are many things to think about. Will you stay at home or live somewhere else during the remodel? If you’re staying at home, you need to think about how you will live.
For instance, if you’re remodelling your kitchen, you may be without appliances like a fridge and cooker. How will you prepare your meals? If there are builders around several hours a day, you’ll also need to think about how you’ll get privacy when you need it.
Seal Up Rooms
It’s surprising how far dust can travel. When you have one area of your home being remodelled, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the rest of your home will remain untouched. If you have rooms that aren’t going to be in use during your remodel, it’s advisable to seal them up.
You can seal rooms by closing the doors and blocking them with towels or draught blockers. When the remodel is done, you know you won’t have to spend your time cleaning through these rooms to remove dust and dirt.
Tell Your Neighbours
If your neighbours don’t already know about your remodel, now is the time to let them know. Tell them what you’re doing, when the work will start, and when the work is expected to finish. If you have good neighbours, you shouldn’t have any problems.
However, there will be times when neighbours complain about work being carried out. This is why it’s so important to keep them involved and make sure they know what to expect.
Welcome Your Builders
Your building team will be the difference between having your remodel done well and having your remodel done to perfection. If they have everything they need, when they need it, the job is likely to go smoothly. This includes tea and coffee.
Set out some old mugs and a kettle ready for when your builders arrive. Put away anything you don’t want your builders using or don’t want to get damaged.
Take Photos
Big changes are about to happen to your home. It’s easy to forget just how big those changes are if you haven’t got something to look back on. Take plenty of pictures of your home as it is now to remember your achievements.
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