7 PRO TIPS FROM A RENOVATION CONTRACTOR
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When home remodeling is at hand important issues will always emerge, and there will be a lot of touchy decisions awaiting for your final word. No matter how skilled and prepared you are, sometimes you simply cannot trust your intuition completely. If you pull just one wrong move the whole renovation could take a wrong turn. Wouldn't it be amazing if sometimes you could get just a moment's glimpse into the mind of an experienced renovation contractor? It most certainly would! So, here are some tips from pros that might help you see your project in a new light.
Be a good boss, applesauce
The perfect clients are easy to get along with, honest, and respectful. Treat your remodelers right, appreciate their work and you just might turn the project into art and joy. Keep in mind that although contractors are able to pull of some badass, magician like stuff, they are not able to read minds (yet!).
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Make an effort to meet with the project leader at least once a day in order to ask relevant questions and voice any concerns you might have. He is your man of trust, so he needs and wants to know all your thoughts about the remodeling. Make sure to stay friendly with your contractor, and never hesitate to ask about anything you might be worried about.
I’m working, do not disturb
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You definitely need to be involved in every single step of a remodel, just make sure that you are not a distraction. We are sorry if this sounds a bit cruel, but every minute your contractors spend talking to you is a minute they are not working on your project. Conversations that are important and job related are one thing, and they should certainly be continued. However, if you go full chatty about your vacation plans, the diet you are struggling to follow, or that awesome movie you watched last night, do not scratch your head later asking yourself how on earth is that kitchen renovation taking so long.
Be decisive
One of the best things you can do for your renovation project is to make every single decision on time. You do not want to keep contractors waiting, since this will stall the whole process needlessly. Most of the delays are actually related to issues like trim, paint or faucet selection. While it might sound like a minor point, if you’ve planned a five week project, waiting for something like a simple faucet for two weeks can really throw a wrench into your works. Once you have made up your mind, do not change it a lot. It is reasonable that you make some adjustments along the way, but restrain from changing your mind too often, as it can be extremely time and money consuming. Always be aware of the potential disruptions and delays to the job.
Do not buy materials on your own
You want that sweet home of yours to look exactly like you imagined after renovation is over, so purchasing materials yourself might seem like an obvious choice from the design, but also from the budget point of view. However, an honest professional would always suggest you to reconsider this. First of all, a builder can probably get a better price for materials than you could. Also, if there are any issues with the materials provided by the contractor, they are the ones obliged to replace them. Otherwise, you will have to deal with that unpleasant and not so budget friendly responsibility. You should stay away from buying supplies like cabinets, tiles, windows and other major parts on your own.
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Of course, you can always check out what is out there and let your remodeling contractor know which elements you like. Purchasing appliances, accessories and light fixtures is acceptable. If you insist on doing some shopping on your own, just make sure that you have all the specifications for the remodel at hand when you go to the store.
Hire an interior designer
Interior designers are trained to turn aesthetic visions into a practical reality while adapting everything to your needs, lifestyle and budget. If you desire functional yet stylish, elegant space, consider hiring one. Designers are also able to create a realistic 3D rendering of your future home, which eliminates the risk of not being happy with the renovation.
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While some people consider that hiring an interior designer is something reserved for the privileged and wealthy, they reality is that having one to consult with during a remodel could actually save you quite a bit of time and money. Not only will they be able to help you avoid costly mistakes, but their advice is bound to help you raise the property value and appeal.
Splurge on the showpiece of the room
While it is always good to save some money, paying as little as you can for the materials or labor is not the best way to go. Instead, it is about making wise decisions, and not being afraid to spend a little more when you are sure something is worth it. Just one carefully selected designer piece can do wonders for the room, instantly making it more fashionable. Decide which items you are likely to hang onto, and spend a little extra on them, so you can then skimp on those you will probably get bored of faster, or that are likely to go out of style soon. Some of these permanent fixtures that deserve a more significant financial investment include art or larger furniture pieces.
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One of the items that is both functional, ornamental and practically obligatory in a living room is a good sofa. While you might have to pay a little extra, do not just ignore the ones with eight-way hand tied spring construction or kiln-dried hardwood, in favor of cheaper ones. Buying a well made, classic sofa will allow you not only to quickly spruce up your place; but you will also be able to easily reupholster it with new fabric in a couple of years, when the original design goes out of style.
Keep it simple
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Experts keep emphasizing how important it is to understand the value of simplicity. Clean lines will ensure that the attention is not detracted from the intended focus points, like furniture or art. A house should never look better when it is empty. Remember that a lot of the time, less is more; so as tempted as you might be, stay away from over-designing. Once you’ve reached a point where you love what you see, stop. It can be tempting to keep going, but by doing so you often design out what you loved in the first place or create a clutter which prevents the focus points from standing out.
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While it is not uncommon for people to become hostage to their renovation projects, being stressed out while they last, but not wanting to let them go once they are near completion, remember to stick with your original plan. If you still have the bug once the initial remodel is done, you can always try to spend that pent up energy on getting the rest of the house in tone with the section you’ve remodeled.