You know that a home can be both a blessing or a curse if you are fortunate enough to have one. Although the idea of customizing your home to suit your preferences is appealing, it can be difficult. It's not the before and the after that matters.

Before I moved into our midcentury ranch last year, my husband and I considered ourselves to be a master at rental renovations. It was cheap, temporary and close enough for government work. It worked.

We were excited to start bigger and more permanent DIY projects when we moved in to our home last August. (A disclaimer: My partner, who is an independent contractor, has been working around the house since he was a kid.

We still ran into our fair share snags. As plan A turned into plan B repeatedly, I realized that I didn't know as much as I thought about home renovation. It was both validating and eye-opening to hear from friends, colleagues, and strangers about their home renovation "wishes" and it was both validating and eye-opening.

1. Accept Timelines and Come to Terms

I was so used making temporary renovations that I had an awful idea of the time it would take to complete a new house. These unrealistic timelines were frustrating me. My stress levels dropped when I realized that I didn't expect a project would be completed in days.

It turned out that this problem is common. Dallin Hales is a DIY blogger who owns a restored 1880's pioneer house. She said that it was a good idea to give yourself three times the time needed to complete the project. If you finish sooner, even better!"

Layla Acharya was an online education website owner and DIY-er who had to learn a similar lesson. "I was responsible for the renovation of my home. It was very time-consuming and hectic. It made it difficult to concentrate on my work. It would have taken me less time to hire an interior designer and my house would have a completely new feel. That is what I plan to do next time.

This tool is 'Better than Sliced Bread' and will save you valuable time if you have a home painting project.

2. Prioritize Function Over Beauty

Happy DIY Home founder Jen Stark said that the most important thing she wished she had known before embarking on a DIY project was "that function wins beauty every day." A refrigerator might look great in your kitchen but what use is it if the doors don't open all the way? Consider how you will use the space. Before you make any commitments, consider the pros and cons of the space.

Similar issues arose when I was choosing furniture and lighting fixtures for our new house. Even though it might not seem obvious at first, the most attractive options were often the least functional. After double-checking measurements, wiring configurations and other specifications, I discovered that all that glitters in home decor is not gold.

You might be tempted to buy non-functional items to keep to a particular theme. It's your home, and not an art gallery. Consider how you will feel about living in this space every day. It might not make the space more functional.

3. Red Tape is not to be overlooked

The bureaucratic red tape that homeowners face is not something they are exempted from. In fact, they often have to deal with quite a bit of it. There is more paperwork for larger renovations. Vincent Colangelo (strategic construction advisor) stated that if the renovation is adding to the house's footprint, most towns require drainage mitigation for any additional 400 square feet.

This will require an engineering report. An engineering report will be needed to show that the addition meets setbacks, easements and the floor area ratio, height and green area regulations. A separate set of regulations will be applied to houses that are on septic or well.

You should also consider housing costs. Steve Elliot is a Restoration1 franchise owner. He explained that he was renovating a condo townhouse. The maximum price for a house in this style is $300,000. The maximum price for a house of this style in the area is $300,000. If you over-renovate, you will end up with a house that costs $350k. You'll never get more than $310k when you sell the house.

RELATED : Property Brothers' Top Three Tips To Make Your Kitchen Look Great For Less Than a Dollar

4. DIY? Perhaps you shouldn't

One thing I have learned from being married to a contractor is that major DIY projects rarely turn out well. There have been many horror stories about him fixing faulty flooring, wiring, and plumbing that ended up costing his customers more in the end.

Allison Weston, my coworker, offered me this advice from her hairdresser. "She" said to me that there's a reason you pay me for your hair. It's what I love to do. It's why painters make a living painting. People who are skilled at their jobs should do it." Weston stated that she hired painters to her new house based on this advice. "It was well worth every penny."

It is important to be aware of your limitations when it comes to home renovations. Ownerly consumer advocate Kerry Sherrin said that DIY is a great way for families to save money and feel accomplished. It can be disastrous if it's not done correctly.

Sherrin said, "Identify what you are able to safely do and what should be left to the pros." Find a trusted contractor if you are unsure.

5. Teamwork is the key to making your dream work

You can't underestimate the power and value of a helping hand, regardless of whether you hire a professional or do it yourself. This includes actual hands on the project, but also consulting videos, books and other resources as needed. My most skilled contractors, carpenters, engineers are always looking for the most up-to-date information, techniques, trade secrets.

Sherrin shared several useful online resources that are great for beginners. She said that the DIY Huntress is great to use for projects such as desks, headboards and simple stepstools. Anika's DIY Life has great tool recommendations, tutorials and tips.

Toolbox Divas is a "veritable paradise of practical and inventive woodworking projects, such as farmhouse shelves, desks and covered garden beds to all sorts of wood crafts, including a serving tray and multi-tiered hanging planter.

RELATED 3 Tips from The Property Brothers to Easily Transform Your Home Without Spending Thousands of Dollars

6. Remember the Good, Fast, and Cheap Theory

Renovations to your home can be expensive and time-consuming. It is best to be prepared for the unexpected and keep a good savings account for non-reno-related emergency. Be patient Doug Greene, property owner, summarizes his DIY advice succinctly no matter what project you are embarking on.

"The best advice that I can give is 'good, quick, and cheap.' You can only have two. If you want to refinish cabinets quickly and with great results, you will need an orbital sander. Although it might be more affordable to do it manually, it will take much longer.

"You can see the tradeoffs. You can save money if you really want to do your own home renovation. You can achieve amazing results with the right tools. Learn patience and new skills. They will never go away, and they are very rewarding once the job is completed.

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By: M. Davis-McAfee
Title: 6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Renovating My Home: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Sourced From: www.suggest.com/home-renovation-advice-tips/2680277/
Published Date: Sat, 08 Oct 2022 18:15:00 +0000

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