Two tips for a successful renovation project
Even the most beautifully designed homes need some sprucing up every once in a while. If you've been thinking about renovating your property, here are two tips for a successful and straightforward renovation project.
Be wary of false economies
Renovating a property can be very expensive. As such, it's perfectly reasonable to try to take steps to reduce costs wherever you can. However, it's important not to make compromises which could affect the quality of the finished work, just so that you can save yourself a few dollars.
For example, a lot of people try to handle the bulk of the renovation work themselves, instead of hiring professional tradespeople. Whilst this approach will certainly result in lower costs, it could actually turn out to be a false economy, if you do not have the tools, skills or experience to do the work correctly, as you may end up having to hire a professional to fix the results of your poor workmanship later down the line.
As such, it's vital to be aware of your own limitations in regards to DIY and to invest in the services of experienced tradespeople when it is necessary. For instance, things like rewiring and the installation of new plug outlets should only ever be done by a qualified electrician. Likewise, the waterproofing of a new bathroom should only be done by a plumber with waterproofing experience.
Ask your contractor for plenty of samples
There are few things more frustrating or disappointing than realising, at the end of your renovation project, that you are unhappy with the results. Even if you can afford to change the elements you are displeased with, the process of, for example, tearing out and replacing the floors, can be time-consuming and stressful.
To avoid this situation, it is important to ask your contractor for plenty of material samples, so that you can inspect them in person and determine if they will work well in your home. Things like tiles, carpet fabrics, linoleum squares and countertop materials can look very different to what they look like in a photograph on a website or in a catalogue.
Whilst the process of ordering and inspecting lots of different samples does, of course, take quite a bit of time, it's worth doing, as it could save you the stress, expense and frustration of having to replace newly-fitted flooring or wall tiles in a few weeks or months' time.