HVAC: What You Should Know Before You Begin

6 Things To Keep In Mind For Your Next Home Remodeling Project

Whether you’re about to undertake a major renovation project or just performing routine maintenance around the house, there are ways to do things that can save you money and time, and prevent frustration. Below are a collection of tips that can help you achieve these objectives.

1. Don’t book your trades’ schedule too tightly during your renovation. Though you may feel inclined to try to make your renovation schedule as tight as you can and book your trades people back-to-back, if there are any delays along the way, you may be charged an additional fee by the contractor for that time, or you could lose that trades person altogether because they cannot work on the alternate days. Add some buffer time between your contractors to save frustration, stress, and cash.

2. Be accessible throughout the renovation work. Even if you will be residing off-site or if you will be working from the home the entire time that the renovations are being completed, make sure that you are available to respond to any queries that the contractor may have. Having to redo work because the contractor completed it one way as he or she was not able to ask you, will take up a lot of time unnecessarily.

3. Use the day before you paint to get everything ready. The actual task of painting the room – that is, applying the paint – is really a quick one. What is time consuming is getting everything out of the room, covering furniture that can’t be moved, patching holes and cracks, getting rid of switch plates and taping around edges and light fixtures. Do that the day before you want to begin painting to avoid delays.

4. Only use outdoor electrical parts outside. This might seem clear, but this is one of the most common mistakes that homeowners make when they are performing electrical work outside. Indeed, the parts may work when you initially install them, but indoor wiring and connectors used outdoors are extremely hazardous as they are not protected against moisture and other forms of damage and exposure to the elements.

5. Go with natural carpeting because it is much better for the environment. By opting for natural fibers like sisal, coir, and jute – which are finding their way back into fashion – you can decrease the amount of VOCs emitted in your home (as long as they haven’t been glued or treated) and its manufacturing will typically considerably greener. Make use of these in higher traffic areas, because they are durable but scratchier than wool or synthetic carpeting.

6. Keep yourself updated on landscaping prices. If you are planning to do some landscaping around your house some time in the future, remember that landscaping is a seasonal market and costs change depending on the time of the year. If, for example, you get quotes in January, they won’t be the same a few months later in April, and they’ll likely be different again in August. Moreover, if you have an estimate done this year, the plant and material costs could change significantly by next year. To make sure that you stay inside your budget, keep your estimates for landscaping very recent.