Original Article – https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/9-things-that-will-slow-down-your-home-renovation/ss-AAU68y1?li=BBnbcA0#image=10
This article originally appeared on Angi and is syndicated by Cheapism.
Whether you’re giving your laundry room a major facelift or tackling a kitchen remodel, home renovations are big undertakings with even bigger payoffs. Home upgrades breathe new life into your living space and offer you the chance to design each detail.
But no matter if you’re renovating a house with no experience or are a seasoned DIYer, delays can happen with any project. By identifying the things that will slow down your renovation and taking a few key steps to avoid them, you’ll be enjoying your new bathroom or home office before you know it.
Maybe you’re inspired by watching a home renovation show or are excited about a few free weekends on your calendar when you can finally take on your kitchen improvement. Not so fast. While motivation helps your renovation project come to fruition, planning and patience are just as critical. Take time to map out a clear plan for your renovation, including the scope, budget, and schedule. Add in buffers to your budget for unforeseen costs, and add extra days to your timeline for delays. For instance, your local granite countertop installer might need five weeks to measure, order, and install the new surface, but it’ll look gorgeous when complete, so your patience is worth it.
Maybe you’re inspired by watching a home renovation show or are excited about a few free weekends on your calendar when you can finally take on your kitchen improvement. Not so fast. While motivation helps your renovation project come to fruition, planning and patience are just as critical. Take time to map out a clear plan for your renovation, including the scope, budget, and schedule. Add in buffers to your budget for unforeseen costs, and add extra days to your timeline for delays. For instance, your local granite countertop installer might need five weeks to measure, order, and install the new surface, but it’ll look gorgeous when complete, so your patience is worth it.
Some homeowners try to tackle HVAC or plumbing work without the proper experience. If you’re not careful, you can run into problems that can be frustrating and time-consuming. If you spring a leak while fidgeting with your pipes, you could have water damage and need to call a plumber in the end anyway. While there can be pride in doing it all yourself, be sure to assess your home renovation skills before starting your project. Consider hiring contractors to tackle pieces of your project where you’re not as confident, or that could be dangerous. It makes more sense to hire an electrician near you instead of experimenting with wiring and lighting and slowing down your home renovation anyway. Hiring a pro can save you time, headaches, and probably even money, too.
Nothing slows down a home renovation project like getting halfway through and needing to push pause until you can pay for the next steps. Consider saving up for the full project and get quotes from local contractors beforehand to ensure you can cover all the costs of a bathroom remodel or kitchen renovation.
The cabinets you love might be on backorder, or the floor sander you want to rent isn’t available until next weekend. Make sure you order and plan for the right building materials and tools before you begin your renovation project. That means picking out your paint colors, doors, hardware, and windows before you begin. Be sure you have all the tools you need, too, because trips to the store can also lead to an extended timeline.
Sometimes the best contractors are booked for a few weeks or months and can’t take on any new projects. From local general contractors to plumbers, book your experts in advance to ensure you have the help you need when you need it.
Talk with your contractor about what works for your family schedule. Maybe you don’t want the drywallers coming on Saturday morning when you usually sleep in, or you host a book club every Wednesday afternoon. Getting on the same page with your contractor ensures you’re sticking to a realistic project timeline that doesn’t disrupt too much of your lifestyle.
For certain projects, like a kitchen renovation, you’ll likely need a permit to do the work. If you hire a kitchen renovation pro near you, they handle the permit process for you. If you opt for a homeowner’s permit, the approval process could add time to your project.
There are municipality rules, building codes, and zoning laws to follow. Your project needs to meet code so it can pass inspection. Otherwise, you may have to do extra work to bring your renovation up to code.
Once you have a wall open for HVAC work, it could make sense to add insulation, too. If you’re rewiring the living room, maybe now’s the time to add recessed lighting. Expanding the size of your project can be the right move but adds time and cost to the job. Historical home renovations tend to have an extended scope because of the age of the home and the greater possibility for improvements.
Snowy winter months or rainy spring days can delay your home renovation project. Whether you’re getting a new roof or taking on the cost of adding a sunroom, factor in extra time for delays outside of your control.
You may need a drywaller, trim carpenter, and electrician for your kitchen reno, but booking them in the right order is a step often missed. Depending on the season, everyone might not be available in perfect sequence, but planning it in advance can help mitigate delays. Think through the steps of your home renovation to ensure you are coordinating your contractors in the best order for your project. Speaking with pros can also help, as they often know the best order of operations for remodeling success.