Updating. This is an exciting word for most homeowners. Ushering your home into the 21st century is both thrilling and rewarding. But with renovation ups can come the downs. Updating is more than adding new subway tile or installing hardwood floors. A true transformation can include tearing down walls, ripping out cabinets, or moving electrical or plumbing. And during these major changes, problems can arise.
Home renovations don’t have to be difficult. Preparing yourself for issues will keep you on top of your renovation and headache free. With our 30-plus years of experience renovating homes in the Pittsburgh area, we can help you anticipate home renovation problems, and therefore prepare for them. Here are the biggest problems homeowners face during home renovations.
Awkward Layouts
Is that really where the kitchen should go? Awkward home layouts plague many older homes. Rooms were broken up rather than providing the open, inviting feeling homeowners are seeking today, and sometimes the layout simply doesn’t make sense in the modern world.
Solution: Sometimes the solution can be as simple as rearranging the furniture, but more often than not, the best solution to awkward space is a well-designed, remodeled layout. Work with an expert designer to create a new overall flow, and let a skilled contractor perform the renovation of your dreams.
Electric, Plumbing, and Air
What’s hidden behind the walls in your home can end up being hazardous or outdated. Not to mention rearranging a floor plan can mean moving around air ducts, wires, or pipes. This is no simple task.
Solution: Do not attempt these changes on your own. Hire a contractor who knows exactly what is needed to either reroute these items properly or to bring them up to code.
Staying in Budget
Budgets are a major factor for renovations. They are also easily broken. Home renovation challenges take a toll on your budget, so account for the items you can foresee while giving yourself an emergency budget too. Be realistic, and don’t make fixtures the majority of your budget. The bulk should go toward structural changes.
Solution: Communication is key to staying on budget. Speak with your contractor before and throughout the entire home renovation process. When your contractor knows what to expect in terms of fixtures, layouts, and expectations, they will have an easier time keeping your project on budget. They deal with the cost of items on a daily basis, so they will better know what to expect.
Lack of Space
Sometimes your home doesn’t contain enough space for your ideal renovation. You may desire an added bedroom or a full bathroom instead of a half. This can even be a lack of space for your dream kitchen. Evaluate your priorities in a renovation and if added space falls into that category, speak with your contractor.
Solution: A home addition is a great way to give yourself the space you need and increase the value of your home. Adding new square footage doesn’t have to be difficult. By preparing ahead of time, you can make the home addition process an easy one.
Living Conditions
Major home renovations take over your life. A big home renovation problem is living space. Where do you go or what do you do during a renovation? Dust, debris, noise, and interior traffic are all inconveniences that can make living conditions difficult, but the end result will be well worth it. There are also ways to cope with construction projects.
Solution: The solution to an adequate living arrangement during a major home renovation can be as simple as moving out during the process. However, this is not always practical. Check out our 6 tips for living stress-free during a home renovation to find out ways you can make your home functional throughout a major remodel.
Update Your Home so it Serves You Well
You deserve a home that fits your needs, not a home you are simply living with. By taking the time to read about home renovation challenges, you are already changing that. We want to help be a part of your dream home. Our Action Builders’ team focuses on large home renovations and additions, and our designers know how to create a space that seamlessly fits into your home.
You’ll be surprised how the right renovation makes your home look the way it was always meant to. Take a look at our services that will help you transform your home into a true masterpiece.