As the media keep reminding us, renovating is something of a big deal right now. Billions have been spent by eager homeowners, desperate to take advantage of “the new normal” which has seen so many of us be based at home for much longer proportions of our day-to-day lives.
Of course, these renovations are anything but simple, and anything but inexpensive. They can cost a small fortune to orchestrate, whether it is that classic new kitchen, or the extension over the garage.
It means that there are umpteen considerations to factor into your project, as we will now take a look through in today’s article.
Why are you renovating?
First and foremost, identify the reasons behind your project.
If you’re deciding to do this as an “investment”, it’s time to take a step back and consider all of the variables. What is the ceiling price of your neighbourhood? In other words, if you invest all this money in your renovations, will you be able to sell the property at a higher price? Or, is there something of a cap in your area which is going to be almightily difficult to breach?
This is a difficult question to answer, as it’s impossible to say with any certainty what the future holds for the housing market. If you’re planning on staying in your home for the long term, this is obviously less of a concern.
What about the dust?
One of the issues which often gets forgotten about is the amount of dust created during a renovation. It’s not just the builders who will track it in – you will too.
It doesn’t matter how you try and safeguard against this, it’s nigh-on impossible to do. Dust will seep through any little crack it can manage, regardless of any of the so-called tried and tested methods you try.
It’s not just an issue for your own health (although that is important), but for your family too. If you have small children, for example, you might want to think about finding alternative accommodation for the duration of the works. Or, even in the case of your personal belongings, consider using a company such as Safestore to keep them clear for the time being.
What is your budget?
This is an obvious one, but it’s worth bearing in mind that costs have a nasty habit of spiralling out of control. Once the builders are in, they will find all sorts of “extra” work which needs to be done.
It’s not that they’re trying to con you, it’s just that they’ve been doing this for a lot longer than you have. They will be able to spot potential problem areas which you might not have even considered. Trust us, every project has one, which is why it’s crucial to build a contingency into all of your cost estimates.
What’s more, even if you have a set budget in mind, be aware of the rising cost of materials. Inflation is currently at its highest level in years, so factor this into your calculations.
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