There’s so much to think about when making home improvements that it’s easy to overlook certain details. Some of these details can be more important than many people realize. Below are 5 examples of common oversights when remodeling.
Not getting a building permit
Building permits are required for many types of home improvement to ensure that they are carried out safely and to make sure that they comply with local zoning laws. Fail to get a permit before you start hammering away and you could be fined by local authorities or even be forced to undo the work. Some improvements like painting a wall or laying a floor don’t require a permit, but structural changes or major plumbing/electrics installation do.
Not renting a dumpster
If you’re installing a new kitchen or bathroom, consider what you’re going to do with your old fixtures and appliances. Dumpster rentals are often necessary so that you have somewhere to put all of this waste. Some contractors will hire a dumpster for you and this will be included in the cost. If you’re carrying out the renovation yourself, you’ll need to source the dumpster yourself.
Not checking contractor reviews
When shopping around for contractors to carry out your renovation project, don’t just focus on getting the cheapest quote. Always do your research into the company to check that they are reputable – some cheap services may be making up for negative reviews, and you could end up with poor quality results. The best contractors will have many positive Google reviews. Recommendations from friends and family members can be valuable too, but be careful of hiring friends of friends who may not be licensed.
Not warning the neighbors
There are many instances where it could be important to warn neighbors in advance, just to make sure that you don’t upset them. If you’re considering an addition that might cast a shadow on your neighbor’s backyard or obstruct a view from their property, you should consider notifying them first so that they don’t voice objections during the project. If your home improvements are likely to be noisy, you should also consider warning the neighbors – especially if it’s a renovation in a townhouse or condo where you may share walls with other residents.
Not thinking long-term
Be careful of falling for decor fads – you could find that such trends become dated in a few years, which could mean having to remodel your home again in the near future. It’s better to invest in timeless decor trends if you want your home improvements to stay looking good for years to come. You also need to consider your future lifestyle needs. For example, if you’re nearing retirement age and you want to live in the same property for years to come, think about designs that won’t make life hard if you develop mobility issues. Similarly, if you’re planning to have kids or get pets in the future, think about design features that are safe and easy to clean.
