Basic Components of House Renovation: Keep Scammers Away
It's never a bad idea to breathe new life into an old home. It's both exciting and nerve-wracking to renovate. You might have been waiting years to get a home renovation and when the moment arrives, you find yourself filled with apprehension and not sure where to start; how are you going to get it done? What kind of help do you need and who's going to provide that help? How can you make sure you avoid the scammers?
There have been several reports on criminals claiming to be professionals trying to renovate your house only to charge and advance fee, start the work, but never continue it – let alone finish it. Feel free to report in the comments below the names of questionable characters acting as construction specialists or experienced renovators.
For now, let's get back to the basics you need to know about home renovations if you are considering doing it yourself.
It's pretty daunting, but the excitement of having your home renovated and looking completely new outweighs the worry, especially after you finish this read and learn about what to expect before you start.
Let's take a look at the following tips on how to avoid being disappointed when it comes to your house renovation.
1. Design and Plan
At the very least, you have to have a good idea of what you want. Are you planning to renovate each room or one? Are you working within the same square footage of your house, or are you planning to add another room or another story? If you are planning to expand on your existing home, that could mean seeking permits to do so, for instance.
This first step is crucial because it will prevent mistakes that can ruin the whole process. As with almost anything else, it's easier to prevent than to fix. One mistake can be very costly, in more ways than one. Also, plan on what things you might want to do on your own, what things will need a professional.
2. Hire the Right People
Always make sure that your choice of a professional company is based on correct information. Some home jobs need professionals, like plumbing, installment, or electrical work, unless you know what you're doing.
To avoid any fraudulent behavior, you can check their licenses and ask probing questions, such as how they charge for extras. Sometimes, extras, like bathroom accessories, are used as a chance to make more money off of you because you're already committed to them. Last but not least, don't forget to check the BBB page of the company that proposes to help you with the job.
3. Feasibility Check
You probably have a good idea of what you want, but you might not have any idea if it's feasible or not. You might not be aware of the different components that relate to one another, and that some things can't be done until something else is completed first.
It doesn't mean your idea may never happen, though realistically, that does sometimes occur when homeowners don't know that their house might not have the basics to implement specific designs or projects.
On the bright side, a professional company can help you through any hurdles and provides you with solutions that are as close as possible to the dream house you have in mind. But knowing when you might have to walk away from a project is also essential.
4. Large Projects First
As a rule, get the significant renovations out of the way first because they will impact the smaller changes. Big things include foundation or structural changes, flooring, plumbing, replacement or fixing rooftops, demolitions, or window and door installations. You might think it's no big deal to remove one door and replace it with another, for instance, but not so fast!
There are a lot of things to take into consideration when it comes to doors. We also know from Dun-Rite Kitchens that door installations are a whole system that includes initial visits from the designers, project planning to inspect the home and take measurements, deciding on the high-quality material for doors, then comes the installation of your new custom door.
This is an example of a big change that needs to be thoroughly planned and timed right before you move on to smaller changes.
5. Structural Carpentry
Before the new comes in, the old has to go. Structural carpentry differs from fine carpentry and has little to do with pretty woodwork and everything to do with the elements that keep your home above ground and upright. This work could involve moving walls, building new walls, or enlarging windows or door spaces significantly.
If your structural carpentry is not planned for and not appropriately implemented the first time around, you will face a lot of downtimes if you need to demolish or start over again. This will be very costly and time-consuming and will hold up your home renovation completion.
6. Mechanical Safety
The mechanicals is what makes your home safe to live in. It's when your house is down to the ground that the electrical and plumbing work needs to be done, including the ductwork for central heating and air-conditioning or rewiring the entire house. Having new appliances or using several electronic devices and tools means the electric panel may need upgrading. It's at this point that your home might look like a war zone, and you may very well have to seek refuge elsewhere for a while.
You may not be able to remain in your home while work is going on. If you know this is going to happen, then planning where to stay for that period will help relieve you of some of the stress that usually accompanies any major renovation.
7. Insulation First
When all the work behind the scenes is completed, you can then move on to the final step which is enclosing the walls. Insulation and lining will be inserted first, and the work done on the walls will be finalized, so the walls are ready to be painted.
8. The Right Type of Flooring
Some people prefer the flooring to be done last to avoid damage to it by heavy machinery, equipment and foot traffic. Other times, you may be advised to do the floors first. But even if it's done last, the type of flooring and the color should be picked first as it is considered to be a major job.
Anything in your house that you want to improve or modify needs to be thought of first and discussed with those helping you. You want, of course, to set a budget and stick to it as much as possible since it's easy to get carried away. When you're planning for a renovation, nothing should be left as an afterthought. Keep the big and the small picture in mind, so your house is both functional and beautiful.
Home Renovation Scams: How To Report Them
Let your family and friends know about this article by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:
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