When you take the first sheet of old wallpaper off, expecting to see exposed drywall, you may instead discover a large water stain in the shape of a foreign land rising up towards the top of the ceiling. At this point, you will either have a great renovation experience or a horrible experience, depending on how prepared you were for the discovery that will likely be made as soon as you begin tearing out walls.
The majority of homeowners plan based on what they see: style choices for cabinets, colours for tiles, layout options for kitchens and family rooms. The largest risks lie in those areas of the home that most people do not think about when planning renovations. These are primarily older homes that tend to keep their problems hidden and silent until a contractor tears into them, and the time and money budgets have both moved ahead.
What Is Really Behind Those Walls?
If you remove drywall in an older home (built before 1980), you could easily uncover many problems beyond just studs and insulation. Examples include knob & tube electrical wiring, galvanised pipes that are almost completely closed due to rust, or insulation that contains asbestos, making it necessary for asbestos removal before further construction. These types of issues would never appear in a standard walk-through. Therefore, a pre-renovation inspection specifically focusing on the aforementioned potential hazards is well worth the investment, regardless of whether or not it seems like another expense you did not budget for.
How Problems In The Foundation Of Your Home Will Only Show Themselves After Demolition Begins
Although your home may appear perfectly level from the curb, there are times when the foundation is shifting unevenly underfoot. Although minor signs such as hairline cracks in a basement wall, doors starting to stick, and a slight slant in a kitchen floor indicate some type of issue with the foundation, major problems with a foundation usually surface only after demo has begun, and the budget has little ability to absorb additional expenses related to the repair.
Why Permits Are Important Even On Projects You Believe Are Straightforward
Regardless of whether or not your project appears straightforward, it is always wise to obtain the required permits. If your project does not have the required permits and issues arise while renovating your home, it can become very expensive and time-consuming to correct the previously completed unpermitted work done by others. Obtaining the required permits for your project will protect you from being forced to pay to fix someone else’s mistakes again.
Common Discussions Contractors Want To Avoid
Even though scope creep is rarely announced loudly, if at all, it can add significantly to a project’s duration and increase costs exponentially. Regardless of whether or not you want to discuss scope creep, these discussions need to occur early and in writing so they can be addressed before the first wall is torn down.
Surviving The Chaos Of Your Project
As stated earlier, none of the above implies that you cannot proceed with your dream renovation. It simply indicates that you will benefit greatly from proceeding with a higher degree of awareness regarding the possibility of unseen problems with your home.
Lastly, establishing a healthy amount of patience throughout your project will allow you the opportunity to listen to your home regarding its true needs. As implied previously, projects that go smoothly and successfully typically involve an abundance of surprise elements. However, successful projects also have contractors who are prepared for unexpected situations and continue forward despite them.
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