All home improvement projects can benefit from expert remodeling knowledge. Whether you’re upgrading your home’s exterior or knocking down a few walls, it’s helpful to know tips and tricks from industry experts. If you’re embarking on a few new DIY home improvement projects shortly, be sure to leave room in your planning to seek out expert advice from construction specialists.
Must-Know Tips to Tackle Construction
Guarantee the best results in your home improvement projects by taking a tip or two from those in the know. Read on to learn five essential renovation musts before beginning any new DIY projects.
1. Create a Safe Construction Space
When making renovation preparations, most homeowners think that getting a few drop cloths for the furniture and the floor is all they’ll need. While these are critical protective measures, safe construction preparation goes beyond laying down a few sheets of plastic. Safety should always be at the heart of all home improvement projects, making it essential to follow the trade’s best tricks for your renovation endeavors.
Construction experts recommend homeowners use scaffolding for their most extensive renovation projects. Scaffold planks provide a safe and stable platform to support workers, materials, and machinery throughout the construction process. While scaffolding improves the safety of your construction project, not all renovations require this safety measure. Contractors recommend using scaffolding when building on uneven ground, if you’re working on construction involving more than two stories, or if you need to use a ladder or walk board for extensive projects.
2. Understand the ROI
Despite popular belief, every home improvement project won’t always end up boosting your home’s market value. Moreover, many renovation projects offer little return value for homeowners. If your goal is to increase your home’s property value with your newest innovations, it’s important to make sure all future construction has a good return value. Do your research and work with an architect, contractor, or realtor to determine the value of any home improvement project before you begin construction.
3. Make Room for Additional Costs
Making a budget is an important first step in planning your renovation process. While you should work hard to craft a detailed and accurate budget, it’s also essential to leave room for any changes. In addition to writing down the cost of materials and labor, experts point out that every construction budget should include additional expenses for permits and any alterations to your property before you begin construction. There are also other things that homeowners often fail to include in their budgets such as fees for renting dumpsters in Pocopson, and shipping charges for the materials
While the rates during this planning period may not accurately reflect what you’ll ultimately pay, it’s important to cover as many bases as possible. Working with a real estate agent or contractor will help you better understand everything your budget should include.
4. Don’t Go DIY With Everything
Choosing to tackle a construction job entirely on your own may not be in your best interest. This is especially true if your home improvement project involves making any changes to your plumbing or electrical systems. Before you decide to do everything yourself, consider the benefit of working with a professional contractor.
Experts recommend working with a professional that already has experience in the specific project that you want. Moreover, your contractor of choice should be bonded, insured, and in good standing with the state Construction Contractor’s Board. Not sure where to start searching for a reputable contractor? Ask your neighbors, family, and friends for their recommendations. Likewise, be sure to read reviews online to get a better idea of the type of person you’ll be working with.
5. Prepare for Delays
Delays are par for the course when it comes to renovation projects. Your efforts to plan for a safe and cost-effective construction process are vital to include delays in the schedule. While it’s good to hope for the best in terms of construction completion, it’s also a good idea to have a backup plan in case everything falls apart.
Your backup plan should include details like additional accommodations if you are unable to stay in your home. Additionally, taking on builder’s risk insurance because or course of construction insurance will also help protect against potential emergencies that may affect your home improvement projects.
Take your next home improvement project to the next level by applying these tips to your upcoming renovation job. Use this guide to help keep the construction process as stress-free and safe as possible.
