You now have the time, money, and the determination to do the renovation that you’ve longed for for years. When you’re ready for a home update, it’s important to carefully plan and organize your renovation.
Here are some tips on how to best realize your dreams while avoiding some of the common pitfalls:
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Sign a contract
There are still a few contractors in the world who will seal a deal with a handshake, but these contractors are few and far between. A written and detailed contract should be worked out between you and the contractor.
Among the items that need to be included are the costs of parts and labor, the payment schedule, the start and end dates of the job, an arbitration clause, copies of the contractor’s license and insurance, his bricks and mortar address, and a number where his office can be reached in case of emergencies or scheduling changes.
Keep all your information in one place so while renovations are taking place you can keep track of the proper billing.
Hire a designer
This might be money well spent, especially when it comes to a large renovation of your home’s space. A professional designer can help you avoid mistakes that can be costly in the long run. A designer can also help you find deals to help you save money without compromising quality, and even give you ideas for the interior you never considered.
Even if you can’t afford a designer for the whole project, you might be able to find someone who can consult with you for an hour or two.
Be creative about storage
Storage doesn’t have to be ugly, or even obvious, and a renovation is the perfect time to add some subtle nooks and extra space. One real splurge can be a walk-in-closet if you’re renovating the master bedroom suite. This closet can have storage units for everything, including jewelry, shoes, ties, jackets, trousers, blouses, sweaters, socks, and other types of hosiery.
Other types of storage that can come with a renovation might include classy built-in bookcases, window seating with built-in cases, hall benches that can double as storage units and custom-made storage that can be made to fit into awkward spaces, like the place beneath the staircase.
Go green
If you’re renovating an unfinished attic, you might want to go green and start conserving energy. For example, there’s a foam derived from soybeans that can be sprayed between the studs and joists. When the foam swells and hardens, it will provide excellent insulation without much cost or damage to Mother Earth.
A renovation is the best time to swap out those old appliances or fixtures like windows for more energy-efficient ones. Look for new appliances with a green stamp of approval, and tight fitting fixtures. Your contractor might have ideas that are just right for your home.
Renovating your home is exciting and fun. It adds just the right splash of color and personality to be new without resorting to a huge move or vacation. A bit of pre-planning can save you time, money and aggravation, so before you pile up your things into a San Antonio area storage unit, take time to look at what new ideas you can incorporate into your new space.
Brooke Chaplan
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Not spending an adequate amount of time and energy conducting research about the potential contractors for your home remodeling project can, unfortunately, lead to disastrous results.