What to Consider When Renovating a House?

Renovating your house gives you an excellent opportunity to breathe new life into your surroundings. Even if you are conducting some minor repairs, there is always room for improvements, like installing a smart thermostat when fixing your older boiler or replacing your outdated appliances with energy-efficient ones.

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But when it comes to bigger renovations, you can’t afford to cut corners or make careless choices. To begin with, you should plan it thoroughly, including picking the best available contractor and setting a realistic timeline. Apart from that, you need to consider upgrading your electrical wiring and plumbing, adding insulation, and think about repurposing certain rooms. And it doesn’t matter where you live; whether it’s a fancy apartment in Normanton Park, a farmhouse, a studio, or a loft – some guidelines are universal.

Do You Need a Permit?

If you plan on doing some major renovations, such as installing a new chimney or changing the entire structure of your house, then it is likely that you will need to obtain a permit from your local building inspector. You can easily find out whether you need a permit before you start any remodeling works by contacting your building department. A building inspector or right to light surveyors have expertise with some building codes and legal agreements that need checking before your renovation starts.

Find the Right Contractor

When it comes to finding the right contractor, you will do better to prioritize reputation over costs. Although you may be tempted to go with a cheaper option, there’s a great chance that you will spend more money in the end due to unforeseen problems. You should always ask for references and see some previous work before you sign a contract. Also, make sure they have insurance and state-issued permits, for example if you are considering a boiler replacement make sure they are qualified to work with gas.

Use Energy-Efficient Appliances

When approaching a renovation project, one of the things you should consider is using energy-efficient appliances to become more environmentally friendly. But that’s not all – when you choose an appliance that uses less power, you will also save on your monthly electric bills in the long run.

Installing new appliances will also make your house more efficient and cut down on the amount of time you spend doing chores. You can opt for a full home automation system to make your life easier, e.g., using a smart thermostat to control your heating and cooling systems, a smart light system to monitor your lighting, or even an energy-efficient split type airconditioner to enhance your home’s ventilation.

Repurpose Your Rooms

If you are planning a major renovation, you can take advantage of the opportunity to repurpose certain parts of your house. If you want to put some unused space to good use, think about what your house is missing, and use that room to fill that gap. For example, if you want to add a den or a home office, you can use your attic as a living space or convert your garage into a spare bedroom. If you don’t need anything as practical as the previously mentioned rooms, you can check ideas for a gaming room or home theatre.

If you’re looking to turn a hobby into a mainstay of your home life, consider repurposing a room into a dedicated hobby space. Whether it’s a home art studio, a music room, or a woodworking shop, having a space to pursue your passion can be a wonderful addition to your home. And if golf is your hobby, you may want to consider creating a home putting green, complete with the best putting mat you can find.

Upgrade Your Electrical Wiring

When it comes to electrical wiring, the older it is, the more likely it will be to short out. An issue that seems minor at first can start an electrical fire that could cause serious damage or even destroy your house. So if you are planning a significant renovation, like installing a new kitchen or a bathroom, then you should consider upgrading your electrical wiring.

You should focus on most power-hungry appliances, like your refrigerator or washing machine, and reinforce the wiring that leads to them. You can also upgrade your electrical panel by having a licensed electrician install a circuit breaker and switchgear. This way, you’ll be able to easily switch off power to appliances if you have a short circuit.

Add Insulation to the Outside of Your House

Insulation is essential to heating and cooling systems, but it is equally important when it comes to your house’s exterior. Without insulation, your house will be vulnerable to extreme temperature swings and moisture damage. So if you are planning a renovation, you should consider adding insulation to your exterior walls.

Insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to make your house more energy-efficient, as well as more pleasant to live in. The best way to do this is by hiring professional insulation contractors who will do an excellent job and make sure your house stays cozy throughout the year.

Add Extra Storage Space

A major renovation project is a perfect time to add extra storage space to your house. You can maximize it by installing extra cabinets or drawers beneath your stairs, adding a walk-in closet where there was once an unused room, or organizing an attic room. You can also make use of unused walls by hanging shelves or cabinets.

But you don’t have to limit yourself to the interior of your house; you can also add an extra garage, a shed, or a garden studio. This way, you will be able to organize all the stuff you have lying around and keep them safe from clutter.

Plan Your Budget And Timeline

When planning any house renovations, you should determine your budget and predicted timeline. You need to consider how much you are willing to spend on the overall project, what you can afford, where you can compromise, and what to give up altogether. Then, ensure you have some money on the side for unexpected expenses.

Additionally, think about how long you can spare for the renovations. If you have a lot of work to do, then it would be best to divide the project into smaller chunks and do one or two things at a time. This will help you stay focused and tackle the project without losing your sense of direction. Moreover, ensure you have a place to stay in case the renovations become more extensive than expected.

Plan Your Design

When it comes to design, you can start by creating a mood board to gather all your ideas and thoughts regarding the desired result. Apart from that, you should take some time to brainstorm the different ways to add value to your home. If one of the things you want to do is make your house more eco-friendly, then you can think about things like installing solar panels and adding a rainwater collection system.

If you have an extra room that you may use as a home office, you could think about installing a skylight or a window to let in natural light and make the room look brighter. You may also use this opportunity to plan the layout of your home. If you want to try something new, you could opt for an open floor plan where the kitchen, dining room, and living room are all connected.

Expect The Unexpected

Having an end goal in mind is important when renovating your house, but you should not expect everything to go exactly as planned. There’s a great chance that something will go wrong, and you will have to rethink your plan. So, before you start anything, make sure you have a backup plan that will help you minimize potential consequences.

It may happen that a simple issue like a water leak turns into something more serious, such as a plumber damaging your floor or the plaster, which will force you to fix the entire wall. So think ahead to be able to focus on your end goal without getting distracted.If you want to try something new, you could opt for an open floor plan where the kitchen, dining room, and living room are all connected. Another way can be the use of installing prefab building panels in your home.

To Sum Up

Renovating your house gives you an excellent opportunity to add value to your home and improve the quality of your life. However, you should not rush into it without thinking everything through carefully. To begin with, you should find the right contractor, plan your design, and make sure you have enough money in the bank. Apart from that, you need to focus on the most important things first, like adding insulation to the outside of your house and upgrading your electrical wiring.

By doing so, you will be able to improve the quality of your life in your house and make it more eco-friendly at the same time. So don’t wait any longer and start planning the renovation of your house today!

Gerald Parker

With a rich experience spanning over 20 years in home maintenance, Gerald Parker holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas. He also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. He began his career in construction management, later shifting to editorial roles in 2015. Outside work, he enjoys hiking and volunteers for habitat restoration projects. He is also a keen DIY enthusiast and a model train collector.

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