4 Pro Tips for a Stress-Free Home Renovation

Whoever told you that home renovation was easy and smooth was probably lying and just trying to convince you to take up a project. In reality, home renovation is stressful! It is full of chaos brought by the tradespeople who invade your house, not to mention the dust and debris that comes along with them. Piles of construction equipment and material such as cement sacs, machines, and whatnot can be utterly bothering. These disruptions are enough to test the resolve of even the most patient homeowners. At some point, they also want all this to end so they can return to their normal life.

But is there some way to make this process less stressful? Of course, there is!

Most projects are stressful because they lack proper planning and appraisal of all aspects. Proper execution is only possible when you are sure of considering everything before starting the project. Some things that you must consider for a stress-free home renovation project include :

1. Ensure the safety of your belongings

One of the most worrisome aspects of home renovation is the chance of damaging your belongings. It could be in the form of theft, breakage, or destruction with a mere splash of paint. When added to the cost of your home renovation project, all these damages can make it more expensive. But it is impossible for homeowners to constantly stress about the safety of their stuff. Therefore, the first priority should be ensuring its safety. One way is to keep your things safe is in a nearby storage facility during the renovation period. You can search for a facility in your area online. Type the word” storage units” with the name of your city in your search bar. For instance, searching “storage units cedar park” is convenient for the Cedar Park residents. It is one of the major suburbs of Austin, so you can easily find many options to choose from. Storage units keep your belonging in a temperature-controlled environment. So, there is no harm to your belonging even If they are sensitive to extreme heat or humidity. Moreover, these facilities are protected by state-of-the-art CCTV and security and sensitive alarm systems that likely cancel out the possibility of any theft.

2. Hire a contractor

Some people like to DIY their home renovation projects. It might look exciting and attractive initially, but it is quite stressful, especially when you are not a professional. Therefore, hiring a contractor for the job is much more convenient. But be careful when hiring a contractor and go with one who has a proven record of delivering the end results discussed by the client.

Hiring a contractor also guarantees that the work done in your home is inspected and meets the standard required for permits. For example, certified lift companies measures and understand if creating an indoor elevator is possible or if an external lift for house will be recommended. It’s best not to DIY when safety of the property and people living in it are involved.

Many online websites provide contact and reviews of the contractors based on locations. Consider visiting these sites and interviewing a few before you settle on one. Filter out those who have more positive reviews from their previous clients. You can also use a location filter and get the options mentioning contractors not afar from your area.

When hiring a contractor, some of you might be inclined to go with the cheaper one. But think about it; what is the point of saving some dollars in contractor’s fee when they ultimately ruin your project? The later mess will be much more expensive to manage. So, go with the more competent one, maybe negotiate their fee to make it work for both of you. In any case, having a contractor on board can lead to stress-free completion of your project. They might save your money, too, which can cost you a lot when you make mistakes during DIYing.

3. Write everything in black and white

Your ordeal with the contractor does not end at choosing the contractor. As much as having a contractor on board for your home renovation project is a relief, it can be very problematic without a formal contract. Therefore, make sure to mention all the details of the job, the timelines, and the fees in the contract. The document should be developed to leave no room for ambiguity leading to the exploitation of either of the parties. Moreover, you must also mention the penalties for theft or property damage and who will be responsible for paying back—having a contract in your hand can relieve you of solving these issues later. With an agreement, the contractor can not leave your project in the middle leaving you hanging dry.

4. Discuss your plans with your contractor

While many contractors want you to vacate the property during the renovation period, it might not be possible for you. When you have nowhere to go, have kids in the house, work from home or are retired from your job, discussing your issues with your contractor is the best advice. Be upfront about what arrangement you want in your house. You may ask them to section off an area of the house where you can continue to live until the other half is completed. This separate area can be your sanctuary where you can retreat from the chaos of the house. Once the other half is completed, you with your family can move there. If your kitchen is under renovation, often contractors are able to set up a makeshift kitchen with some temporary shelves and sink that you can easily move around.

Conclusion

Home renovation is costly, time-consuming, and needs your dedication. The stress is a likely result of such a project, but it is also one aspect that is often ignored when you gear up for a home makeover. Nevertheless, it is important to consider this aspect and make your project as stress-free and smooth as possible.