If there’s a lesson you should learn from our website, it’s that while renovations are fun and highly informative and creative, no two renovations are exactly alike. They can be complex and affected by many variables. Especially if you live in an old house or are dealing with remediation. Home remodeling obstacles can occur at every stage of a home project. It’s because these processes are complex, and issues can easily arise. Keep calm, and be ready for the unexpected.
We don’t want to discourage you as renovations can sometimes go more smoothly than you had planned, and you may find yourself really enjoying the process. We created MyFixitUpLife so we could help you avoid common remodeling obstacles and frustrations. (Learn from what we’ve learned. And explore our site that’s filled with design tips to get inspired for your next project.)
But as you worry about the feasibility of your plans (or the remodeling cost involved) you may find yourself worried about any obstacles you don’t have the power to change. In this post, we’ll discuss how to avoid that outcome, by knowing what to look for first.
Be Realistic About Your Home and Project
Before you get into the exciting visual design stages such as choosing coloors, fixtures, and finishes, it’s good to get very clear on the health of the structure. It’s not uncommon for a renovation to turn into a replacement when the bones of the house just aren’t strong enough to support your plans. For example, if you’re planning to redo the attic and turn it into a bedroom or office, but the roof is already sagging or poorly insulated or there isn’t enough height, then a cosmetic upgrade won’t go far.
At that point, it’s worth speaking to a roofing replacement contractor and find out what’s involved in the fix. And, find out whether it’s worth pushing ahead now, or saving the upgrade until later. You’re better off making the structure sound before you do any upgrades.
Make Sure Your Timeline Can Flex A Little
You’ll often see renovation shows wrap everything up neatly in a 30-minute slot. In actual reality, work does sometimes run over and suppliers can be late. And you might change your mind about something important mid-project. And you don’t see the production assistants and pros who are working behind-the-scenes on those shows, either. (Ask me how I know. I’ve been a design producer on a series.)
Having a flexible timeline doesn’t mean you let things drag out endlessly. Just that you leave some breathing room so delays don’t wreck the whole plan. If you’re working with different contractors, give them the space to do it properly. Don’t cram everyone into the same 2-week window. It’ll be less stressful and you’ll get a better result in the end.
And don’t hand out a short deadline to a contractor (or yourself) because a graduation party is happening in a few weeks or the holidays are around the corner. It’s not realistic to squish a project that could open up surprises. And then you might have a worse house situation for that big event, because your home is in mid-remodel. And that’s one of the home remodeling obstacles you can easily avoid.
Don’t Rush Past The Planning Permission Stage
It’s exciting when you’ve got your ideas lined up and materials ready to go. But permits will be the make or break of any renovation. Your local municipality will make sure what you’re doing is safe, legal, and in line with what your home can support. That’s especially true for structural changes, roofing work, or anything electrical, or if any limitations are applied to the area. Code inspections aren’t home remodeling obstacles, they are essentials to keep you safe.
Depending on where you live, skipping that step could mean fines, do-overs, or a lot of red tape when it’s time to sell the place. The good news is that a good contractor or architect will usually help you through this part, or at least point you in the right direction. So while it feels like paperwork and waiting, it’s really just part of building the foundation for a smoother job.
With this advice, you’ll be in a much stronger position to plan a renovation that holds up from start to finish.
