Ten steps to successful renovations
Perhaps you’ve finally decided to carry out the renovations that you’ve been dreaming about for years. But where to start? And how to avoid botching the job? It’s all a matter of careful planning. These ten steps are a guide to make your task easier; follow them, and you’re sure to be proud of your finished renovation project. 1. Evaluate your needs in a realistic way. If you expect to sell your home in a few years, you won’t see things in the same way as if you plan to spend the rest of your life there. If you’re there for the long term, try to anticipate the needs of your family down the road; determine if the work you’re planning to do now will make sense in a few years’ time. 2. Your aesthetic desires are important, but major home maintenance should come first. If your electric wiring is old and the roof is beginning to show its age, this kind of maintenance work should be carried out before you consider any other types of improvements to the house. The golden rule: maintenance before renova- tions. Ignore this particular guideline at your peril! You won’t enjoy your new sun
room if rainwater is dripping through your ceiling elsewhere in the house. 3. Read all available information about the type of renovations you’re considering. Useful sources include documents pub- lished by government organizations, spe- cialized magazines, and websites. Grill friends, neighbours, and material suppli- ers about their knowledge and experienc- es with renovation. You’ll want to avoid reproducing their horror stories! 4. Draw up several different plans. You might entrust this step to a professional (architect, architectural technician, or interior designer), having first looked through their portfolios and checked their references. They can draw up definitive plans and, if you wish, prepare estimates for the materials required. 5. Don’t go any further before having your plans approved by your municipality. Renovation regulations vary considerably from one town to another. 6. In order to prepare as precise a budget as possible, shop around for the different
types of materials, comparing their prices as well as their durability. Plan for an extra 10 or 20 percent of your budget to meet unexpected expenses, which have an amazing ability to sneak up and take you by surprise. 7. If you need financing, a consultant at your banking institution will be able to explain the various avenues open to you, taking into account any equity available
10.
When the work is finished, ensure that it has been done as stipulated in the contract — don’t sign anything until all is completed to your satisfaction. Finally, wait until the end of the payment time limit stated in the contract to pay the con- tractor your last installment. This gives you some leverage if any unresolved details arise in the days after the work crew clears out.
on the home and your assets. They will be well informed about any financial products intended specifically for home owners to fund renovations. 8. Now comes the criti- cal step: the choice of contractor. Verify that he or she is well- established, has all the required permits, is a member of a pro- fessional association, and has worked on similar projects. Ask them for references, a detailed estimate, and a clear-cut con- tract with a deadline for completion of the work. Deciding to carry out at least some of the renova- tion work yourself will translate into substantial savings. 9. Once the work has started, be present at the worksite as much as possible in order to quickly detect any mistakes and rapidly resolve any problems by discussing them with the contractor.
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