Are you thinking of a home remodeling project? If yes, you’re in the right place. Firstly, a home renovation project isn’t a walk in the park, and a minor mistake can quickly turn costly. So, it’s better to start it right than to drown in regrets. According to the Lantern, 33% of people surveyed between March 2020 and January 2022 regretted their remodeling project! To avoid such a situation, you must have project management for house renovation endeavors to remodel right, and here’s how.
Finish Your Basement
It’s not uncommon to move in and complete the various sections of the home later. While the basement proves highly useful, it’s usually the sacrificial lamb that takes the backseat when homeowners decide to finish the pending home projects. The unfinished basement serves as a home gym, a space to work, unwind in solitude, and invoke your creative sense by painting and creating. If you can relate, now is the time to finish up that basement.
Start your basement renovation by painting the rafters and walls, whether they are poured concrete or blocks. You could even add a mural to add character and a lively feel. Next, string some lights to illuminate the space and create a playful ambiance. Now, you can get down to detail. Create a canopy on the ceiling, an art studio on one side, and a workshop on the other. You can even partition a home office.
Don’t forget the floor. If you want a bright basement, use lustrous hues. Alternatively, you can lay down some mats to reduce wear and tear. You can go the extra mile and add some curtains. They add dimension and make it easy to partition the space if need be. A well-done basement highlights successful project management for house renovation.
Don’t forget about emergency exits. This is one area where you can’t afford to risk shoddy work with subpar personnel or a DIY approach. Invest in expert egress window installation. According to Forbes, the budget for finishing up a basement should range between $1.60 and $2.50 per square foot.
Keep Your Septic Tank in Good Shape
The first step to keeping your septic tank in good shape is understanding how septic systems work. Typically, most state laws need a permit for septic tank installation. For this reason, your county or town must have a record of the permit, a map with a layout of your tank and its location, and other vital information. You can easily identify its location using visual clues such as sewer covers or by checking the direction of the sewer pipe in your basement leading out of the house.
Have your septic tank inspected and pumped regularly. The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends having your tank inspected after every 1 to 3 years and pumped after every 3 to 5 years. Even so, you must understand that the pumping frequency will mostly depend on the number of people in your home, the amount of solids accumulated in the tank, your water usage habits, and the size of your tank. While pumping helps remove the solid wastes, inspection will help identify developing problems, such as leaks, before they become costly repairs.
Also, note what goes down the kitchen sink drain. Simple items such as coffee grounds, stickers, eggshells, and flour can wreak havoc on your septic tank by blocking screens or clogging pipes. Also, avoid discarding oil, fat, and grease. So, care for your septic tank in your project management for house renovation tasks.
Compare Your Property to Others on the Market
Did you know that according to Architectural Digest, remodeling projects can boost your return on investment (ROI) by a significant 69% on average? When remodeling your home, compare your property to the surrounding house and land packages for sale. The information will help you to set realistic renovation goals and expectations. Identify the features and amenities standard to the local property for sale in your neighborhood. The aim is to ensure you only invest in projects that can attract buyers in your locality, add value to your home, and avoid wasting money on unnecessary projects.
Comparing your house to others listed on the market will help you to estimate renovation costs typical in your area. As a result, it will become easy to budget effectively and prioritize your home renovations driven by the potential return on investment. Also, the information will help you avoid over-improving your property relative to your home market. Ultimately, you’ll save plenty of money by avoiding wasteful projects that add no market value to your property.
Examining properties listed on the market hints at the remodeling standards in your area. Therefore, it becomes easy to negotiate with contractors and suppliers regarding the quality and cost of materials needed. Understanding what’s reasonable and customary regarding quality and pricing will help you to secure competitive bids and make informed decisions. This is the project management for house renovation 101 you must understand before starting your renovation.
Look After Your HVAC and Plumbing
When remodeling your home, you’ll probably make changes that may affect your HVAC and plumbing. For example, you may add a new room needing extra plumbing and heating or cooling. You may also change layouts and install new features. For this reason, you’ll need to coordinate such upgrades with your existing systems to avoid compatibility issues with airflow, water pressure, or HVAC performance.
According to Forbes, HVAC can serve you between 15 and 25 years. Arguably, the huge gap is due to the difference in maintenance services. So, when you notice your system is in its final years, you’ll need to seek AC replacement services immediately to enjoy a comfy home. Also, Forbes notes that plumbing pipes can last 50-100+ years with proper maintenance. So, if you live in an old house with ancient plumbing, consider replacing it quickly when remodeling.
Let’s face it. Project management for house renovation is no easy task – your project will stress your HVAC and plumbing systems. Primarily, dust, debris, and construction activities may damage the components of such systems, leading to a malfunction in your AC or plumbing leaks. In such a situation, you’ll be forced to dig deeper into your pocket to cater to renovation blunders. So, taking precautions is necessary while renovation work is in progress.
Invest in Personalized Details
The goal of project management for house renovation jobs is to reflect your style and personality. Every detail needs a touch of your taste and preference, from your floor color and window treatments to custom mantels. Personalized details allow you to infuse your unique style into your living space. Whether you fancy a traditional, modern, minimalistic, or eclectic aesthetic fanatic, personalization will help you to express your character through your home.
Investing in personalized details will also help create a sense of ownership in your living area. It’ll give you a deep connection to your everyday space, eliminating boredom. Typically, when you surround yourself with colors, items, art, and design that resonate with you, you’ll enjoy comfort in your space regardless of its size. Also, it will foster a sense of belonging and pride in your living environment.
Even better. Have you ever noticed that personalized details evoke emotional connections and memories? Well, that’s the power of expressing yourself through your living space.
Your home will become more meaningful with every personalization item. For example, family photos, artwork, and heirlooms will add character and warmth to your space. What’s more, it creates a picturesque, welcoming atmosphere for you and your guests.
Furnish Your Bathrooms
Let’s agree. It feels great to have a nice new bathroom, a place to freshen up and unwind from the daily hustles and bustles. Well, feeling good and enjoying your home is one of the essential project management for house renovation objectives. From updated and stylish plumbing fixtures and soothing paint colors to elegant tile-setting services finish, walking into a comfy and wonderful bathroom is motivation enough to start and end your busy days. Moreover, selecting cohesive and stylish furnishings can elevate your bath’s visual appeal, and who doesn’t love enhanced aesthetics?
Also, furnishing your bathrooms enhances the functionality of your space. For example, bath fixtures and accessories such as storage cabinets, towel racks, vanities, and mirrors significantly improve the functionality of your bathroom space. When you give it some thought before choosing your bath’s fixtures, you’ll select appropriate furnishings that suit your needs, such as optimizing storage and enhancing organization and usability. A professional can help you with tile setting services and other specialized jobs that require an experienced hand.
Prioritize comfort and convenience when furnishing your bathrooms. Everybody fancies a spa-like experience in a home setting – a fantasy you can bring to reality. So, equip your bath with amenities such as heated towel racks, shower benches, soft bath mats, and ergonomic finishes to ensure a comfy and relaxing time in your bathroom. You’ll get to enjoy a relaxing retreat within your home.
Install a New Roof
The next project management for house renovation you shouldn’t overlook is your roof. This key part of the house protects your family and belongings and adds visual appeal to your space. It also helps regulate indoor temperatures without relying too much on heating and cooling. Imagine living in a house with a perforated roof that allows water to seep into the ceiling. Or rotten roof and ceiling that can cave at any time.
To enjoy these benefits, however, you must replace your damaged roof with the help of a professional roofing contractor. You can find reputable roofers online, from referrals or client feedback. Regardless, compare their pricing, warranty, availability, and reputation to choose the best for the task. According to the US Department of Energy, a new roof will set you back $10000 on average. Afterward, sign a contract outlining the work scope, payments, and deadlines.
Communicate clearly and be transparent throughout the project, discussing contingencies and problems upfront. Also, site visits should be conducted to check for issues with safety codes. If any issues come up, promptly tell the contractor and work to fix problems as laid out in your deal.
After the new roof is in place, confirm it meets local rules and standards. You may hire outside experts to check the roof before paying for everything. This helps ensure the work is done correctly, so you have confidence you are getting what you need. Finally, retain all the paperwork from the job as you may need it later for reference or settling disagreements.
Clean or Replace Your Driveway with New Paving
Your driveway acts as the entryway to your home, making a first impression on visitors. It would help if you, therefore, remembered this area when planning your project management for house renovation. But how do you successfully tackle pavement tasks? The initial step involves contacting a pavement company to examine your driveway and decide if cleaning or replacement is necessary.
After a close look, they’ll recommend possible fixes tailored for your situation, keeping your budget, preferred materials and desired outcome in mind. Professionals may suggest power-washing and sealing if your existing driveway still has a strong foundation. This will refresh faded surfaces and strengthen protection against damage.
On the other hand, if there are major pavement cracks, crumbling, or sinking, showing possible big issues soon, replacement may be best. In these cases, discuss your new paving choices and designs with your paving company. They can guide you through options like asphalt, concrete, or interlocking stones while highlighting the pros and cons. According to Home Advisor, paving a new driveway costs $5,080.
Additionally, they will install your chosen paving materials. From ensuring proper base preparations, accurate material placement, and compaction rates, they all do everything to guarantee long-lasting and pleasing results. Lastly, they will advise on the best practices to keep your new driveway looking its best.
There you have it. As you prepare to welcome a new season, give your home a fresh look. Add some personal touch, and ensure the various appliances work optimally. If you aren’t sure where to start, use this guide as your roadmap for project management for house renovation. You’ll love the results!
