Common errors made on home renovation projects

Overzealous homeowners may see a renovation project in a magazine or on television and immediately think they can do the work themselves. Unless you have the tools and the skills necessary to do the work, tackling too much can be problematic. - 123RF — Overzealous homeowners may see a renovation project in a magazine or on television and immediately think they can do the work themselves. Unless you have the tools and the skills necessary to do the work, tackling too much can be problematic. – 123RF

Home improvement projects can turn a house into a home. Homeowners plan scores of renovations to transform living spaces into rooms that reflect their personal tastes and comforts.

But homeowners going it alone may find things do not always go as planned. In fact, a Harris Interactive study found that 85 per cent of homeowners say remodelling is a more stressful undertaking than buying a home.

But homeowners about to embark on home improvement projects can make the process go more smoothly by avoiding these common pitfalls.

Failing to understand the scope of the project

Some homeowners don’t realize just how big a commitment they have made until they get their hands dirty. But understanding the scope of the project, including how much demolition and reconstruction is involved, and how much time a project will take can help homeowners avoid some of the stress that comes with renovation projects.

For example, a bathroom renovation may require the removal of drywall, reinforcement of flooring to accommodate a new bathtub or shower enclosure and the installation of new plumbing and wiring behind walls. So such a renovation is far more detailed than simply replacing faucets.

Not establishing a budget

Homeowners must develop a project budget to ensure their projects do not drain their finances. If your budget is so inflexible that you can’t afford the materials you prefer, you may want to postpone the project and save more money so you can eventually afford to do it right.

Without a budget in place, it is easy to overspend, and that can put you in financial peril down the line. Worrying about coming up with money to pay for materials and labour also can induce stress. Avoid the anxiety by setting a firm budget.

Making trendy or personal improvements

Homeowners who plan to stay in their homes for the long run have more free rein when it comes to renovating their homes. Such homeowners can create a billiards room or paint a room hot pink if they so prefer.

However, if the goal is to make improvements in order to sell a property, overly personal touches may make a property less appealing to prospective buyers. Trends come and go, and improvements can be expensive.

If your ultimate goal is to sell your home, opt for renovations that will look beautiful through the ages and avoid bold choices that may only appeal to a select few buyers.

Forgetting to properly vet all workers

It is important to vet your contractor, but don’t forget to vet potential subcontractors as well. Failing to do so can prove a costly mistake. Contractors often look to subcontractors to perform certain parts of a job, and it is the responsibility of homeowners to vet these workers.

Expecting everything to go as planned

Optimism is great, but you also should be a realist. Knowing what potentially could go wrong puts you in a better position to handle any problems should they arise. The project might go off without a hitch, but plan for a few hiccups along the way.

Overestimating DIY abilities

Overzealous homeowners may see a renovation project in a magazine or on television and immediately think they can do the work themselves. Unless you have the tools and the skills necessary to do the work, tackling too much can be problematic. In the long run, leaving the work to a professional may save you money.

Home improvements can be stressful, but homeowners can lessen that stress by avoiding common renovation mistakes.

Original source: https://www.digbycourier.ca/living/homes/common-errors-made-on-home-renovation-projects-262104/

Original Date: Nov 23 2018

Original Author: Metro Creative

December 14, 2018December 14, 2018

Avoid These Mistakes in Remodeling

There are plenty of mistakes that can be made when you are having your home renovated. From a freshly designed kitchen with upgraded cabinets to completing wasted attic space for an office, renovations can quickly go from smooth sailing to looking like the Titanic. Below are common problems that are often ran into when remodeling especially if choosing the DYI approach. Hiring a professional home improvement contractor is always your best bet but when you do decide you want to tackle a project on your own avoid the following:

Using Cut-Rate Materials: The old adage is true for a reason, you do get what you pay for. This is especially true when it comes to remodeling projects. If you don’t have the funds to do the renovation properly then wait and save money until you have money to do it correctly. Materials of lower quality can reduce property value instead of adding to it as you wanted.
Failing to Consider the Budget: In any renovation a budget is important. Not sticking to your budget can quickly derail your plan. Many people fail to create a budget or just stop referencing it which leads to running out of money before the renovation is complete. New construction project soften are spoiled because funds ran low.
Inaccurate Measurements: Incorrect measuring is one of the biggest mistakes in renovating. It is true when measuring, “Measure Twice, Cut Once”. This will prevent costly, time-consuming errors from occurring.
Forgetting About Layered Lighting: Natural lighting is a perfect addition to any room but once the sun sets and the lighting disappears it needs to be replaced. Lighting should be done in layers: ambient, accent, and task. All three aspects should be included in each and every renovation.
Too Many Trends and Overly Bold Colors: Trends fade fast and bold colors grow old quickly. The last thing that you want to do is to plan a major renovation on details that will fade fast and be outdated before too long. It is okay to include trends and color but be sure it can easily be switched out. Add trends and bold colors into your design with throw pillows, window treatments,and more.
Forgetting About the Environment: There is no reason to forget about the environment in your renovations. Being eco-friendly is not that much more expensive and can lead to less expensive monthly utility bills. It is also simple to do with the installation of energy efficient appliances, light bulbs, and using recycled materials.

The best way to avoid mistakes is to pre-plan. Whether you DIY or hire a professional when making home improvements, planning thoroughly can help you avoid making one of the many mistakes listed above.

JFC Remodeling is a full-service licensed contractor out of Howell, Michigan. Specializing in kitchen and bathroom renovations, flooring upgrades, and home remodeling services. More information can be found online at https://jfcremodeling.com/.

November 29, 2018November 29, 2018

Home Improvements During the Holidays

No matter what time of year you are preparing to renovate your home, you will be under extra stress, it’s even worse when those renovations are taking place during the holiday. Remodeling done in the months of November and December can come with a mixed set of emotions. You are thrilled to have the home improvements underway but are a bit ready for them to be completed so you can get on with the celebration aspect of the season.

To avoid emotions that are already on fire from turning into a full-blown boil it is important to manage your frustrations while preparing your space for the holiday you desire despite the holiday celebration happening around it. Obviously, there are greater issues when the renovation is of a kitchen or bathroom however, these basic tips will help you manage.

Managing Home Improvement Projects During the Holiday

Include Your Contractor in Your Holiday Plans: This doesn’t mean inviting them over for dinner or purchasing them new tools for Christmas but instead making sure they know your plans in regards to having people over and when you will be using the space so that they know they have to clean up more appropriately.
Be Realistic: Work in conjunction with the contractors and subcontractors to create a schedule to make sure you are all on the same page. This will also help contractors when hiring subcontractors as well as making sure tasks that need to be completed are when they need to be. For instance, if you need the toilet in the first-floor bathroom to accommodate company then it is important it is installed and ready before they are set to come over.
Create an Environment of Honesty and Solid Communication: Don’t beat around the bush when communicating your expectations of requirements. Your contractor will tell you if the expectation is realistic or if your requests are way off base. This allows you to plan accordingly. If you find that something is not working how you thought it would and you need to reevaluate the holiday renovation it is crucial you feel able to do so.
Set a Spot Aside for Materials and Tools When Not in Use: Holiday accessories already quickly clutter the limited space within your home with added company in the mix. The last thing you want is to have the renovation materials and contractors’ tools in the mix of any already chaotic space. To prevent this from occurring have a space to place materials and tools when they are not in use and company is expected. Of course, this is not something that should be expected on a nightly basis especially when contractors will be performing work the next day.
Create Flexibility: All relationships are based on flexibility and so should the one that you have with your home improvement contractor. Everyone is working towards the same goal, you want your renovation completed in a timely manner with minimal stress and your contractor wants to please you and complete the renovation in a timely manner all with minimal stress.

The holiday season is stressful all alone let alone adding in a major or minor home improvement project. Working with your contractor will allow the two of you to manage this stress while allowing the holiday happenings to continue on around it without major disruption.

November 9, 2018November 9, 2018

The Best Choice in Flooring for Your Home

The type of flooring you invest in for your home depends on your wants, needs, and above all your budget. There are some things you will want to keep in mind when choosing flooring for your home. Carpet is a perfect addition to bedrooms where you want cozy, comfortable flooring under your feet however, carpet in a bathroom doesn’t make any sense.

As a home improvement specialist, it is important to guide homeowners looking to redo their flooring in options that are available to them.

Hardwood – Natural

Hardwood has always been a popular option for homeowners throughout history. Natural hardwood is a popular high-end material in flooring. Hardwood flooring is a classic option that homeowners often choose for its durability and longevity. Hardwood is made to be used for years and years. It can be stripped and refinished, creating a brand-new floor for your family to enjoy. It is a great option for homeowners looking to increase the value of their home.

Hardwood – Engineered

Another option similar to hardwood by less expensive is engineered hardwood floors. Similar to natural hardwood, engineered hardwood can be sanded down and refinished which makes it a good option not only for the homeowner but for future buyers. They are also not as vulnerable as hardwood when it comes to expansion and contraction. Once the floor is in place there is less chance for buckling.

The best rooms in your house for hardwood, either natural or engineered are living rooms, dining rooms and low traffic rooms such as a guest room. Hardwood is noisier than other options in flooring. Many homeowners combat this issue with the use of throw rugs.

Tile

Tile is a wonderful option for homes where moisture and humidity issues are common. Many homes in southern states will use ceramic tiles throughout the entire home for this reason. Tile can be a bit costlier to install than other flooring but the savings from water protection and its overall durability make the extra expense worth it. Tile is not only available in a number of colors it also comes in a variety of shapes, textures, and looks. Tile is extremely versatile from mirroring the look of wood or a fancy mosaic you can rest assured as a homeowner that you are purchasing durable flooring when you have tile installed.

The best rooms in your home to install tile are the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and foyer spaces. It cleans up well and can handle high levels of moisture. It is also a great option to use throughout the home if you pair it with throw rugs.

Carpet

Carpeting is a natural choice for many homeowners looking to redo the flooring in their home. It is relatively inexpensive and easily provides wall-to-wall coverage without too much preparation on the homeowner’s part. Carpet can be purchased with a protective coating that allows it to repel stains which is good for households that include kids both two and four legged. Another benefit of carpet is the vast number of options to choose from.

The best rooms in your home to install carpet are bedrooms and family rooms. Carpet is appealing because it emits the feeling of comfort and warmth. To create an even cozier feel with carpet choose a top-quality pad to go under it. The padding that you choose can even help increase the longevity of your carpet, allowing it to age gracefully along with your home and family.

One of the benefits of improving your home with new flooring is that you have a lot of choices. The selection doesn’t need to be the same throughout. Homeowners can easily use a combination of flooring materials to create a space that best works for them. As with any home renovation it is best to meet with a home improvement professional to achieve the results you are looking for.

October 19, 2018

The Importance of Keeping Your Home Up to Date

Pure Coziness

As a homeowner we often overlook our own comfort which is a huge mistake when renovating your home. Before you begin construction on your home ask yourself if this is what you want your home to look like for the next few years. If the answer is not an immediate YES then it may be time to rethink the current renovation idea.

The remodeling that you have done around your home should not be done solely because you want to increase the value of your home. If this is the sole reason for renovating, then you will be stuck living in a show piece that you aren’t enjoying, and it will not feel like a home at all. Home renovations should not be done based only on how the renovation affects the things around you but instead on a combination of things including your comfort and enjoyment of the space.

Update the Outdated

When homeowners fail to renovate their homes, they can quickly become outdated and less appealing. It is important to keep your home up to date but to do so in a timeless, classic manner that is not based on what is trending at the time. Trends tend to go out of style as fast as they come in. Just as a classic black suit or simple black dress never fades out of style, renovations around your home can be the same. A perfect example of this is the installation of hard wood flooring.

Affordable Financing

Sometimes people fail to keep up on maintenance and renovations due in part because they don’t have liquid cash to do so. Homeowners may need to rely on financing options to ensure their homes stay up to date. Borrowing against your home’s equity is a fairly common practice especially when using the money for renovations that will help increase the value and equity in their home.

Enhanced ROI

Home renovations completed by a professional contractor may return a greater return on your investment when you go to sell or rent out your house. When renovating a rental home, it is important that then renovations are done with the greater appeal in mind. The home improvements that are done should be focused on drawing tenants in. Improvements in rentals that draw tenants are private laundry facilities, increased storage, and open spaces. When renovating to increase the value of your home it is important to concentrate remodeling efforts on big ticket areas such as curb appeal, kitchen remodeling, and updated bathrooms.

Renovations allow homeowners to keep their homes up to date and well maintained. This all works to increase the value of your property while making sure that your home is ready when you choose to move on.