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Have you decided you don’t like the flooring of your home? That you need to put better insulation in the walls? That you need to fix the roof? Install solar panels? Build garden decking? Whatever your home renovation and construction project is, you need to make sure you’re ready.
There are a lot of mistakes you can make in this area. Whatever you’re planning on doing, make sure you’re not making any of these!
Doing it yourself when you’re not ready
When people think about construction projects at home, many of them will think immediately of DIY. There are, of course, plenty of reasons for this. Some people are very skilled with tools, and so can only trust themselves to get the job done properly. This way, they also save a bunch of money because they don’t have to pay for contractors. (After all, you’re going to have to buy the materials for the job either way.) A lot of people are also not that keen on having a lot of people in their home; it makes them feel anxious.
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These are all very good and valid reasons. And it’s these reasons that drive a lot of people toward thinking that they should definitely just do it all themselves. But if you’re not actually prepared or skilled enough to do this job, then this approach would be a big mistake. If you don’t have the skills, then you could end up doing damage to your home. Even if you complete the feature, it will take longer than you will have expected. It will also not have been done to the standard you were hoping for!
You’ve also got to consider the danger you might be putting yourself in. There are risks of injury when it comes to any project, of course. Even contractors don’t seem to be able to avoid the odd scratch or bruise. But there are certain jobs that are simply way too dangerous for you to try if you don’t know what you’re doing. And I’m talking life-threatening, here. Trying to do some renovation involving your electric system is probably best done by a certified electrician. If something on the roof needs to be done, you’re also better off getting a contractor there. (There’s a good reason that roofing is considered one of the most dangerous jobs around!)
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Picking someone equally inept to do it instead
So you’ve decided that you’re not quite cut out to be working on this project. You’ve decided that it’s better to go ahead and hire a contractor. This is probably a wise move if you’ve not got much experience in repairs, renovations, or construction. But you shouldn’t assume that all contractors are equal. You have to make sure you pick someone who’s going to be able to do the job well. The worst thing that can happen here is that you see the result and think “I could have done that better myself!”
But how exactly can you tell who is good to work with and who isn’t? One of the first things you should be looking at is whether they’re bonded or insured. Bonding and insurance are both means to protect the customer, i.e. you. If they fail to do the job properly, or if they cause damage to your home, these things will make sure you’re compensated and the issue is fixed. Be aware that bonding and insurance are two different things. Ideally, a contractor should have both of these things. If they don’t, I wouldn’t say they’re a reputable professional.
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Another thing you should be doing is checking customer feedback. The best way to see whether a contractor does good work is to visit the opinions of people they’ve worked for. A contractor who is bonded and insured may not necessarily be a quality worker. The testimonials page of a contractor is a good place to visit. Of course, these are overseen by the contractor themselves! You’re best going to an independent source of feedback. You can also use professional contractor directories that put emphasis on quality. See homeadvisor.com for more info.
Assuming it will result in profit
A lot of people assume that pretty much any renovation project will add value to a house. They think that, as long as they don’t mess it all up, that they’ll add a lot more to the sale price of a property. Well, it’s true that a lot of renovation projects do add value to a home. But the value that gets added is often exaggerated. Perhaps the main problem is that a lot of people think that a renovation will eventually pay for itself.
This represents a failure to understand how much people are willing to pay for a feature of a property. If the added value is significantly more than the cost of the feature, then the prospective buyers will probably notice. The fact is that renovations rarely pay for themselves. They may add value to the home, but it is very rarely more than what you pay to have it in the first place. You have to make sure that any added feature is something you genuinely want for the rest of the time that you spend in that property.
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Basically, you shouldn’t assume that you’re going to be making a lot of cash at the end of this. It isn’t wise to see it as an investment. You should also remember that there are a bunch of projects out there that may actually harm the value of your home. Read more about those at home.howstuffworks.com.
Using the wrong tools
Of course, when I say using the wrong tools, I’m not just talking about obvious mistakes. I don’t mean using a chainsaw when you should be using a hammer. I’m also talking about the quality of a given tool. After all, not all tools are equal. There are some tools that are usually consistently reliable. A hammer, for example, should do the trick as long as its sturdy and you can swing it. But when it comes to other tools that serve more complex functions? You’ll need to be a bit more careful.
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If you’re looking for tools online, you should be able to track down user reviews for a given product. This will give you a good idea about the suitability of the tool for your project. If the tool you’re looking for uses specifications or requires assembly, you need to take extra care. Because these things will have a wider variance in price, you may be tempted to go for cheaper options. But this isn’t always the smartest move. One of the best things you can do is look up professional reviews of whatever tool you’re looking for. Let’s say you want to get yourself a wood lathe. You can reviews of wood lathes, among other tools, at thetoolboss.com.
There are plenty of products people use when they should be using something else. Are you planning on using duct tape as a permanent adhesive solution, for example? This is common, especially with HVAC renovations, but it’s a mistake. When it comes to general tools like this, you still have to make sure they’re fit for the specific purpose. HVAC renovations, for example, are best done with tape designed to stay on permanently and seal leaks.
Neglecting the permits
This is a very common mistake when it comes to any construction job around the home. People tend to assume that because they own the property they can do whatever they like with it. I’ll be honest: in most cases, it should be that way. But in pretty much any case of major renovation or other construction, you need to make sure you’re compliant with the law. This can take one of two forms.
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The most obvious form is found in that of the municipal government. The local authorities in the building and development departments are going to want to know what you’re up to. If you’re in Los Angeles, for example, you’ll want to visit ladbs.org. It could be that you won’t need a permit for the job you’re planning to do. But it’s best to consult with that department if you have a job you’re planning. If you go ahead without the proper permits, you could find yourself in trouble with the law. At the very least, you may be made to undo all construction work you’ve completed. (And you’ll be paying for it!) Also: if the work is unpermitted, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it!
You may also need to consider your local Homeowners’ Association. This isn’t something that will apply to everyone, but many people are part of an HOA due to having purchased their house in a specific area. They’re a local body who sets rules and regulations on the community in order to maintain safety and good property values. They may have something to say about any work that you’re planning. And if you’re part of one, you’re obligated to consult with them about it. If you end up in a dispute with them, you may want to explore legal options. Read more at njcooperator.com.
The post Renovating Your Home? Don’t Make These Big Construction Mistakes appeared first on Daily Roabox.