You just bought your first home, and you couldn’t be more excited. Settling into a new home is an amazing experience, and you’re probably thinking of all the changes you’d like to make.
Before jumping into any home improvement projects, however, there are a few secrets that home contractors wish you knew about:
Permits Take Time
It’s easy to get carried away with visions of grandeur, but home renovation projects like a new patio, garage, or addition involve permits first, and the process can take a long time, depending on the project and your city’s specifications. You’ll have to close on the purchase of your home before you can even start with the paperwork, which can take weeks.
Manage Your Expectations
The first thing most homeowners want to do is sign on the dotted line, get their keys, and move in right away; while that’s sometimes possible, your new home may not be livable until certain projects are complete. Establish a realistic time frame with your contractor so they can plan ahead and address any unexpected issues quickly and properly.
Get an Estimate
Budgets are always an important component of any project, no matter the size or scope. Enlisting the help of a contractor as early as possible is the best approach. The process works best when your contractor can see the proposed project and start assembling estimates before the contract is drawn up for the home.
Moving Walls
Most home renovation and improvement show episodes involve remodeling by moving or knocking down walls to get an open floor plan, but every building is designed differently. The cost for structural retrofitting can range from $1,000 to $10,000, so be prepared.
Installing Central Air
Adding central air to your home can be as simple as adding a condenser and tying into the existing forced hot air system, or as complicated as adding chases/soffits to conceal ductwork. Plan out the process with your contractor so you’ll know what to expect.
Source: Reader’s Digest