Older homes are filled with charm that you won’t find in a 21st Century construction. They have character and can frequently be purchased at a reasonable price. The money you save when buying you can dedicate to the tweaks that will be necessary for you or your family to live comfortably. There are some common mistakes that homeowners make when dealing with complete house renovation in Ottawa.
Here are some common mistakes you should avoid.
Economizing too much.
Cutting Corners with either effort or expense may seem like a good idea at the time, but in the long run, it can come back to haunt you. Take a good look at the items you choose to economize on. Will the wiring and plumbing accommodate the new appliances? Will you need to replace the underlayment of the flooring to be sure the floor is level, or can you handle the process for the new tiles?
If in doubt, hire a qualified, licensed and insured professional to take care of some of these issues. They should also have significant experience working with older homes with their own quirks.
Talking to too few people.
Always solicit at least three bids, and be sure you have a complete breakdown of what is covered, including materials and labour. The time it will take to complete the project and the removal of any old material and debris. As you get these bids, ask for opinions or suggestions on how to tackle the project or better methods to accomplish the same result.
Not budgeting properly.
Under budgeting can be a real problem. When you don’t leave enough to cover unexpected issues, you risk delay until you can take care of the matter, which may mean living in chaos for a while. You can also have to compromise on some of the changes you would like versus those that are mandatory. Creating a buffer account can certainly help.
Ignoring architectural features.
Older homes usually have specific architectural features that make them what it is. Updating some of that “old” look can be a mistake in the value of your home at resale. Those older materials are often higher quality than what is on the market today, and it is better to restore the pieces than to tear them out.
Prioritizing the wrong things.
Prioritizing can be difficult. You may hate the backsplash in the kitchen, but it will be essential to bring the plumbing up to code. Fixating on what you don’t like versus what you need can get you into trouble.
DIYing.
Know when to call on professionals. Knowing your DIY limits can save you injury and expense. If you do something incorrectly or it doesn’t pass code inspection, you will end up spending more money in the long run.
Highbridge Construction specializes in complete house renovation in Ottawa!
Renovating an older home can be exciting and fun when you do it correctly. We have years of experience working on all kinds of projects, from simple repairs to complete home renovations. Whether you’re looking for a new backsplash in the kitchen or need to completely change the layout of your home, we’ve got you covered! So if you need expert renovation services, .