Jazzed about the prospect of a remodelling job or major home renovation? Maybe you’ve been watching the shows and checking out Houzz. You’re starting to feel like an expert and are ready to go. Here’s the thing: renovations are complex. You may know precisely what it is that you’re after, but there are always obstacles. Before the hammering and drilling can begin, be cautious and don’t jump into a project feet-first. Here is a list of 5 things to to avoid when renovating your home:
Don’t Hire Harry the Handyman
Unless he comes with stellar references from folks you know and trust, using your sister-in-law’s unemployed step-cousin to remodel your ground-floor bathroom is probably not a good idea. Sure, he may be super handy and cheap but can he coordinate your project? Can he get it done on time and on budget? Be thorough when you interview and don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions. In addition, watch out for these Red Flags.
Know That Your Reno Budget Will Grow
Like death and taxes, spending more than planned on your remodelling project is a common occurrence. There are online resources that will help you hammer down an estimate for your renovation. Know that it’s best to have a buffer built into your budget. According to Scott McGillvray, surprises invariably happen, so homeowners should squirrel away a sizeable contingency fund. The home renovation guru recommends in the neighbourhood of 15 to 25 per cent of your budgeted renovation, depending on the size of the project and the condition of your house.
Don’t Expect a Reality TV Renovation Show Turnaround Time
It’s not that builders and contractors enjoy falling behind time-wise. It’s just that issues arise due to the wild unpredictability of transforming an existing structure into your dream home. Don’t look to house and home shows on television as your yardstick, because that’s unrealistic. Since there is no way of knowing the precise completion date, get an estimate and factor in a delay. And who knows? Your contractor might surprise you. But best to have reasonable expectations.
Don’t Forget About the Local Building Codes and the Permit Process
Depending on the scale of your renovation, permits may be required to meet Ontario’s building code. Permits are necessary to make structural, plumbing, and many other changes to your home. They are there to guarantee that things are done properly. They also provide confidence to potential buyers if you ever decide to sell your home. Getting reported for doing work without a permit may result in a stop work order. This will halt construction and may result in a fine. The city will provide you with rough estimates of time frames for being issued a permit. The actual time can take from two weeks to eight months or more, depending on the particulars of your renovation project. More on permits here.
Hire a Contractor or Site Manager to Oversee the Entire Project
Renovations can be complicated and usually require a ton of coordination. For example, sourcing quotes, synchronizing the multitude of tradespeople all with different schedules, organizing with the designer or architect, and rearranging everything once challenges arise. Having someone who is accountable for the project at large is a must. ideally they have experience to anticipate problems and avoid delays. If this is an endeavour you are planning on undertaking yourself, plan accordingly. Make sure you budget for at least a few hours a day of every day to oversee larger scale renovations.
