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house renovation

7 Mistakes Homeowners Make During Home Renovation

November 14, 2022
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Does your home require renovation? There are many reasons to renovate one’s house, like improving functionality or enhancing visual appeal. 

Renovation can be a hectic, time-consuming, and cost-expensive procedure. However, homeowners can make the whole process much simpler and easier if they avoid making some common renovation mistakes. This article explains seven mistakes homeowners make during renovation and how to avoid them.

Unrealistic Budget

It is easy to get carried away with your budget during renovation; you might keep it too constricted or elaborate, making the renovation process that much harder. The key to an effective budget is ensuring it is sufficient to provide all the required changes without compromising security while not adding extra pressure on your financial well-being. 

Furthermore, when renovating your house, it is important to first focus on necessities such as potential water damage or leaks. Once the cost is covered for important issues, you can move on to budgeting other factors that add to the appeal of the house, for example, repainting the walls or adding a bathtub to your washroom. 

Moreover, it is important to remember renovation expenses frequently exceed expectations. To be better prepared for potential shocks and have a smoother renovation experience, it is advised to add 20% more to your budget.

Not Preplanning

If you plan to renovate your house, you must first decide where you will put your furniture and belongings when your house is under renovation. You might find yourself stuck in a position with nowhere to go if you do not plan this before starting the renovation. However, if you live in Melbourne, we have good news; Careful Hands Movers provides moving and storage solutions. They are a full-service removalists Melbourne centered business that will tackle everything from packing and moving to store your belongings in their facility for safekeeping. 

There are many benefits to storing away your belongings. Not only does this prevent potential breakage or damage to belongings from dust, paint splashes, etc., but it also ensures smooth working as furniture does not come in the way of workers in high-traffic areas during renovation. 

Not Getting a Permit

There is a misconception that many homeowners believe; they think that since it’s their house, they don’t require a permit if they plan to make any changes to the property. However, this is far from true. Different states have different requirements for house improvement licenses, so it is necessary to check with the local authorities and get the required legal permit for renovation. 

Failure to secure a legal permit can result in the work being stopped or asked to be torn down by the authorities. This can cause delays and incur extra costs. In addition, it can also affect the value of the property. 

Not Finding the Right Contractor 

Not thoroughly vetting their remodeling crew is one of the top errors people make while renovating their homes. You should refrain from hiring the first contractor you come across right away. An ineffective screening process for your remodeling team might lead to a costly and unsatisfactory renovation. 

You need to interview several contractors when trying to find the right professional for the job. Before you interview them, prepare a list of questions you want to ask and plan for what exact changes you want in the house. This will ensure that the contractor you choose knows what you are looking for.  

A further step you can take is contacting previous clients of the contractors and getting feedback from them about the work. As in the start, contractors might make false promises to persuade you to hire them. However, by gaining insight from their past projects, you can find out how true they are to their words. 

Using Cheap Materials

A common mistake homeowners make is cutting down costs by using cheap materials. This might save cost initially at the time of construction; however, the cheap knock-off supplies will start to show effects once you start living in the house again. The cheap materials will wear-n-tear easily, and soon you will find yourself in need of renovation again. This will not only cost you time and money, but you will have to go through the entire process again. Furthermore, using cheap materials can compromise safety. 

Using cheaper construction materials is not a good idea; therefore, it is best not to consider economizing on the material. Purchase the greatest materials and components you can afford. In addition to lasting longer, they will appear finer and enhance the overall quality of your house. Moreover, this will also increase the value of your property. 

Doing too much

This is a psychological mistake, the inability to resist doing more than required. Once the work begins, it is easy to fall into the trap of making more changes than you planned. You might start the project with the only objective of making additional storage space; however, mid-way, you might realize that a new paint color for your wall would be nice. You need to be able to resist this urge and follow your initial plan. 

Concentrate on one project at a time and ensure that that project is finished on time, within budget, and according to your liking. Once one project is finished, you can start planning your next one. Furthermore, this is essential to make sure the renovation stays budget friendly. 

Unrealistic Expectations

Even in ideal situations, renovation and construction work can be chaotic and inconvenient. Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking that everything will go smoothly. As with almost every endeavor, renovation might not always go as planned. Therefore, be prepared to be flexible and make changes as they come along. The ability to adapt to challenges as you face them will make the whole process of remodeling much more effective and efficient. 

Another common unrealistic expectation that homeowners keep is in terms of time. Renovation is a time extensive procedure. You can contact local construction firms and gain knowledge about the timeline of your desired projects. This will help you be more prepared for what you are getting into. Furthermore, timing your project is also a vital part. In Australia, many contractors are booked all year round. Therefore, you need to plan and contact firms ahead of time to ensure your renovation project is finished in time. 

Conclusion

If you don’t prepare and prevent typical mistakes, you might have difficulties renovating your house. But renovation can be a smoother ride if you develop a solid strategy and assemble a top-notch team of experts to bring your idea from conception to reality. 

To be fully prepared for what to expect during and after renovation, carry out the necessary research.

What To Consider When Choosing The Best Concrete Resurfacer

October 14, 2022
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Concrete does not age gracefully and that is for certain. Whether it’s your walkway, driveway, rear patio, or another place, the concrete around your house will undoubtedly begin to show its age. To swiftly repair a cracked concrete surface, most individuals typically fill cracks and “spot patch” certain areas. Your concrete will lose some of its attractiveness as a result of frequent crack and patch repairs over time. 

If this describes the situation around your home or the home of a customer, you should consider concrete resurfacing. It’s one of the simplest, most effective techniques to restore the new-looking appearance of concrete. Some of the best companies offering concrete resurfacing are present in Aurora, IL

All resurfacers are not created equal. Their drying times, bonding abilities, and abrasion resistance can all differ greatly, making them acceptable for some projects but unsuitable for others. Continue reading to discover more about these and other important qualities of the best concrete resurfacers. 

Temperature Tolerance 

Knowing what temperatures concrete can withstand during installation is crucial because most concrete surfaces are outside. To guarantee that the concrete resurfacer dries properly, most manufacturers stipulate that the temperature must be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit both during installation and for 24 hours after. 

The amount of time the user has to work with the concrete before it sets and becomes dry enough to move depends on the temperature. Concrete will typically dry more quickly as the temperature rises. Use cold water to slow down drying if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Most manufacturers advise using warm water to decrease the drying time if the temperature is below 60 degrees. Before applying the resurfacer, be careful to review the recommended temperature range on the packaging. 

Bonding Properties 

A concrete resurfacer must adhere strongly to the surface it will be applied over in order to prevent displacement and the need for subsequent repairs. The majority of concrete resurfacers adhere to concrete extremely well. When restoring a subfloor, bonding properties are crucial to ensure that the new flooring laid over the resurfacer will stick.   

Drying Period

When selecting a concrete resurfacer, ensure the drying time is appropriate for the project. Fast-drying concrete may be convenient since it allows the paved area to be put back into use more quickly, but it also necessitates that the user works more quickly before the concrete becomes too hard to spread. Consider the amount of time it takes for the concrete to set and dry, so that it may be used for traffic.The drying time is often indicated by concrete manufacturers as minutes or hours. Although the concrete is too hard to modify once it has hardened, it is not yet ready for usage. Within 1 to 2 hours of mixing, the majority of concrete resurfacers set. To receive foot traffic, a resurfacer may need to wait 6 to 24 hours, and many days to receive car traffic. 

Application 

There are two varieties of concrete resurfacer: dry, which needs to be combined with water before use, and premixed. Premixed resurfacers are more convenient than dry resurfacers, but they are often more expensive. You can also modify the cement’s consistency with dry resurfacers to meet your demands. 

The most common method of applying concrete resurfacer is to mix the product with water (if necessary), pour it on the old existing concrete, and distribute it using a squeegee. To ensure strong adhesion between the old and new concrete, carefully clean the surface before applying the resurfacer.  

It is hard to manage and renovate rental properties with limited time and resources. Even though staying in rental houses comes with both pros and cons, you can move to new places and rent out a new home depending on your needs without worrying about the maintenance of your place. 

Similarly, it gives you the freedom to do whatever you want with your place. For example, you can make major changes like new flooring to minor changes such as a change in the color of walls. However, when you stay in a rental house, you hesitate to invest your money in the renovation as you can’t stay in it forever. Renting a house is a common practice in the United States. According to statistics, 37% of households rent their homes in the United States, the highest level in the last 50 years. 

Sometimes, it is easier to rent a new property rather than spend time and energy on renovation. Consider the environment and government policies if you plan to move to a different state and don’t know where to get started. For instance, Florida is one of the states that offers a thriving economy with a tax-free regime. If you’re living or moving to the city, you can consider looking into Orlando homes for rent to start your journey without any hassle. With that said, here are nine useful tips for renovating your rental property. 

Identify the Areas for Renovation

Before starting your home renovation project, focus on those areas where repair and maintenance are most needed. Don’t look all over the place for improvement as it would cost you high. Invest your time and money in renovating those things you cannot neglect while staying in rental property. Some people are very particular about their home interior, no matter rental or owned property, they prefer to make their place vibe along with them. Still, you need to identify your priorities and renovation goals first. 

Paint the Interior

Painting your place, especially the interior, can always give your house a fresh look and new perspective. By investing less time and money, you can completely change the look of your house by painting it with new shades and colors. One of the benefits of painting your rental property is doing this job as a DIY project.  While painting your rental property, prefer neutral colors as it gives a more refreshing and soothing aura to your place. People who want to give their place a vibrant and high-energy look can opt for bright colors. However, it is easier to manage neutral shades like Off-white. Moreover, it is best to paint your rental property all over with the same shade so that you won’t face difficulty in fixing the patches and touch-ups later on. 

Improve the Lighting

The proper lighting can brighten the beauty of every place. On the contrary, shady living areas and inadequately lit homes give a dull ambiance. Make small investments towards fixing the lighting of your rental place. Starting from the natural light, try to use the sunlight. For instance, remove obstacles coming in the way of natural light. You can chop down tree branches that stop sunlight from reaching your living area. For artificial lighting, pick brighter bulbs with dimmer switches to adjust the illumination of an area. You can also choose to install lamps in dark locations to enhance the place’s lighting. 

Replace Handles and Knobs

If you have a low budget and still want to upgrade your rental place, start with the small but highly noticeable things such as handles and doorknobs. You can replace cabinet handles and doorknobs with the latest chic designs. It would make a big difference and give your rental property a modern look. 

Work on the Yard

Your front yard or backyard can change the first impression of visitors if properly managed. A well-organized lawn area with proper landscaping is a source of refreshment.  Spend some time chopping down the grass and trimming the bushes, branches, and shrubs to give your lawn a clean look. Place the plantation in order; it would enhance the beauty of the walking trails and won’t mess up your space overall.  You can do this lawn project independently or count on professional services to make it low-budget. Choose all-season and low-maintenance plants that you don’t need to give extra care and attention to more often. 

Replace Faucets

If you have old faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms, replace them with new and stylish faucets. Similarly, you can also replace the shower and sink to make your bathroom and kitchen look more modern.  

Fix Exterior Lightning

It’s good to start with small amendments, but to change the overall look of your rental property, you should also focus on exterior lighting. Fix the lighting of your backyard or front lawn area so that your family can use it every time, even without daylight. You can consider a switch light or a motion-sensor light to brighten your outdoor space. 

Work on Storage 

Everyone needs storage space to put extra and unneeded stuff. You can make a storage area in an attic or the backyard by doing the needful. For example, use shade to cover the things from environmental effects if you place them in the backyard. Basement is also a good alternative for storage. 

Go for DIY Projects When It’s Necessary

The do-it-yourself (DIY) approach is effective when you know how to do things right and properly. If you are a handyman and like to fix things, by all means, go DIY. But in some cases, when you try to save money and renovate a household on your own, it can become tricky, complicated, and troublesome. DIY is not always the best available option. Sometimes, you spend more money and time doing things on your own. Always consider alternatives such as affordable professional services to renovate your property. 

Conclusion 

Home renovation is an essential component to upgrade the look of your house. However, in the case of rental properties, it is a good idea to look out for homes according to your taste and preference. As you don’t have to spend extra money on renovation and upgrades. 

Are you thinking of renovating your house? A home renovation allows you to make your house the best to look, even if it seems like an ordinary one. It is a wonderful way to get your dream house full of charm. Renovating your home provides you the chance to explore a place full of new features and trends. It helps you make quick and stylish improvements, boosting the value of your home when you decide to sell it. Not just that, it enables you to redesign your space as per your wishes. However, taking on such a big job isn’t always easy.

Whether you’re looking to remodel your home or create an entirely new space, you need to know how the design ideas will translate into reality. From the cancellation of deliveries to unpredicted structural problems, there are always hurdles in the way homeowners forget to consider. It would help if you planned before you start renovating your house.

Therefore, before you renovate, have a look at these six top renovation mistakes you must avoid:

Forgetting to create a budget

It is essential to plan ahead and budget when renovating your home. This will help you determine what products are best for the project and how much time they might take with overall cost consideration during the planning stages.

Loans for home improvements in New Zealand can be a great way to make your house more energy-efficient and comfortable, but there are some things that you should know before taking out one. 

Visit https://nectar.co.nz/home-improvement-loans/ for an insider’s view.

When people think of living in New Zealand, they often imagine the beautiful scenery and climate. But what many may not know is that this country offers more than just nature. There are plenty of opportunities for renovation too. 

There are many different types of home improvement loans, but all have the same goal: to make your house look better. However, knowing your budget before you start renovating can help you understand what the results will be like. To decide on a budget, you need to determine what you need versus what you want. After that, you need to have a general idea of how much you can spend on renovation, helping you make smarter choices.

Avoiding the professionals

Renovating your home might be one of the most significant investments you are likely to make. Homeowners often think it’s a great idea to go the DIY way to cut costs. However, it might lead you to a  disaster, messing up your home renovation. 

Hiring professionals help you get the job done the first time, avoiding costly mistakes. It allows you to make the required changes to your house, enhancing the look of your home.

Experienced and professional contractors will have the expertise to provide all the services you require for a renovation project. You can discuss your preferences with them to ensure the results according to your wish. 

Not setting a realistic timeline

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make while renovating their house is not making a realistic timeline. As a homeowner, there are high chances your renovation projects take longer than you expected. Therefore, avoid making the mistake of not being prepared if the project gets delayed. 

Take a month or so to plan the renovation. Once that’s done, devote some time to get all permits. To avoid making any mistakes, make sure you create a realistic timeline that estimates your time accurately.

Not looking after plumbing and drainage

Homeowners often forget to check their draining and plumbing systems before starting a renovation. Uncovering any water damage can be the cause of your renovation headache. It might begin with a leak in the roof, which you might have left unnoticed until water seeps through ceilings. Besides that, it might be caused by a broken pipe, causing delays in your renovation project. Hence, check your water system beforehand to prevent further damage and ensure your renovation goes smoothly.  

Ignoring the lights

Instead of giving your house an expensive makeover, consider changing your home’s lighting every time you need to redesign your interior. It can impact and improve everything in your place, from its architectural look to its color tone. Hence, instead of ignoring your light fixtures in your renovation project, make sure you try something new with them. Replacing your old fixtures and updating them to new ones reflect a new design, adding an elegant touch to your house.

If you need to breathe some life into your room, try adding colored light fixtures. You can introduce a pop of brightness if you are looking to change the color scheme of your home. Besides that, you can place a fun and colorful pendant light or lamp for a playful and sleek look. However, if bright colors are too much for you, look for pieces with shiny metallic touches. They instantly warm up the room without the dramatic vibes.

Not repainting your house walls

Many homeowners often ignore the importance of giving their walls a new coat of paint. Hence, as a homeowner, don’t underestimate the transformative power a fresh coat of paint has. Just a day’s work can change the way your room looks. Repainting your house is one of the simplest ways to make your room look bigger with minimal effort. Consider painting your ceiling a lighter color than the rest of the room. Besides that, painting the trim and molding lighter than the rest of the walls can make them look appear farther back.

Moreover, repainting your walls allows you to clean your walls. Repainting your walls will enable you to match your walls with the rest of your furniture and interior. In addition, painting enables you to give your room a fresh and updated look while being light on your pockets.

Final thoughts

Renovating the house is an exciting yet daunting experience. To make sure you make your home renovation a success, avoid leaving your walls as they are. Besides that, check your plumbing and water system beforehand to avoid delays during your renovation. 

Many homeowners do a home renovation when they’re trying to boost the value of their home before selling it, but there’s no need to wait for an opportunity like that. Instead, find some projects that will boost the quality of your life in your living space and try to make it as functional as you can. Whether you want to do a complete renovation or simply add something new to the design, there are many projects that can help you do a great job. The biggest decision you’ll have to make is when to actually start the renovation process and, after that, you’ll only have to make decisions based on your style and budget. With a little help from this checklist, that shouldn’t be hard at all.

Determine a budget

The first thing you need to do is to determine the budget for your renovation, including the unpredictable things and repairs you didn’t count on. The major part of the budget needs to be set for everything you plan on doing and always make sure you’ve left something aside for some additional repairs. 

You can search online for some of the most unpredictable costs and try to predict what you might have to deal with. This step will be crucial if you plan on including contractors and architects because sometimes homeowners have some additional demands in the middle of the project, and these will require some modifications when it comes to the budget. Try to get a precise estimate of every project you plan on doing just to get the idea of the budget breakdown.

 

Create a list of priorities

You need to be realistic with your renovation list and your budget because sometimes homeowners don’t have a realistic idea of how much a certain renovation costs. That’s why you need to create a list of priorities and see what you will and won’t be able to do, as well as what’s going to require only a few minor changes. If you’re spending most of your time outside, think about changing your outdoor space. There are some amazing porch ceiling ideas that can upgrade your exterior space and make it visually appealing and comfortable.

Talk to your contractor and see where you stand on the amount of work, and try to find some compromises. That will allow you to do more projects and still be able to finance all of them. Prioritize everything that needs to be fixed or replaced, because if you don’t do that now, it could create a much bigger problem in the future. Once that’s done, you can move onto other projects that will help you with some interior and design changes.

Be careful when purchasing things

The tendency of impulsive shopping and buying too many unnecessary items is probably the most common mistake every homeowner makes. Before you start buying new things for your home, try to create a room-by-room plan: see what you really need and what you want simply because it’s trending at the moment. 

If you start planning on time, you can search for furniture online, which will allow you to find the best deals and keep creating different layouts until you find the perfect one. Even if you’re dealing with a small budget, you can do a lot by buying just a few items for every room. If you plan everything carefully, you can make your home feel brand new by a few simple tweaks and increase your home’s aesthetics appeal. Explore different trends and see how to incorporate them into your home, trying to find a balance between design and practicality.

Find the right contractor

If you search for a contractor online, you’ll get many results but you need to be sure the one you’ve hired is reliable and knows what to do. Don’t sign any contracts before you interview a few contractors in order to see who has the best ideas and can help you achieve everything from your list. 

Ask your contractors to find solutions for your home, give them your list of priorities and ask them to walk you through the process. You need to be able to understand everything they’re planning on doing because you want to avoid some unpleasant surprises during the renovation process. An experienced contractor will be able to assess your home and tell you whether you have realistic ideas of a final outcome, or you need to make some changes in your new design. 

 

No matter how big or small your renovation project is, it will require time and patience, so you need to do everything in your power to make it as smooth as it can be. Make sure you’re on track with everything going on in order to prevent something from going in the wrong way. 

If you live in an old house and you want to make it safer or simply a bit more modern, you should consider replacing your electrical wiring. Of course, the amount of work you can do depends on many factors, like the accessibility of the walls and attic, the amount of demolition you’re willing to do, and your budget. However, once you finish this project, you’re bound to feel much more comfortable in your home. So, here are five tips that should help you rewire your home.

Do the inventory

Your new electrical system needs to match your needs, which is why you should do an inventory of all the appliances that you plan on using in the house. You should also think about the largest appliances on that list and meeting their demands. This way, your appliances are more likely to run properly and safely. Knowing these details should help you plan the rest of the rewiring process too.

Consult a professional

home rewiring
Even the smallest mistake in rewiring could lead to a costly disaster later. This is why it’s extremely important to work with a licensed electrician no matter how much you think you know about rewiring. Additionally, there are standards and necessary permits for everything, from the number of outlets you can have to the kind of wire you can use. For this reason, as well, it’s best to have somebody experienced around who can advise you about the materials and planning in general.

Consider the walls

When it comes to rewiring, it’s very important to decide how much you’re willing to “demolish” your walls in order to replace the old wiring. If you’ve just bought your house, it might be easier to make a few new holes for the cables. However, if you’re living in it at the moment and can’t afford to disturb your lifestyle too much, your options might be a bit limited. You might have to leave the walls intact and replace only the wiring in the attic, so make sure to keep that in mind while planning the process.

Drill new holes

wall wiring
Image source
Sometimes, drilling new holes becomes necessary if you cannot reuse the ones you already have. And sometimes, old wiring cannot fit the needs of modern appliances considering all the technology that has become a part of our daily lives. However, when you start drilling new holes, you need to be careful not to damage any already existing wiring or plumbing. This is extremely important, since it’s one of those things that would cost you a lot if you made a mistake. Measure the location of your new hole carefully, and drill a smaller hole first to ensure that you’re not near any wiring. As for the convenience, place the new holes in a way that would reduce the need for any extension cords.

Replace your service equipment

Besides replacing all the wiring in your home, you should also consider replacing your main electrical panel and any other subpanels that you might have. This is important in case you want to add more circuits. It also might be a good idea if your old panel is in bad shape in general, or if it contains fuses instead of circuit breakers. After all, the main panel is the heart of all the wiring, so if you want the system to work the best it possibly could, it should be upgraded as well. Otherwise, the whole system could be limited and more prone to damage.

Rewiring an old house can be difficult, since it’s a job that requires a lot of careful planning, knowledge, and experience. So, in order to avoid any future issues, consult a professional, plan things ahead, think about the structure of your house, and your home should be as good as new in no time.