Essential Questions To Ask Before You Begin A Home Renovation
Whether you’ve invested in a fixer-upper or you’re looking to make improvements to a property you’ve owned for years, it’s natural to want the best results. If you’re spending time and money creating the home of your dreams, it’s beneficial to try and ensure everything goes smoothly. If you’re planning a renovation, here are some essential questions to ask before you get started.
How much will the work cost?
When you’re a homeowner, it’s incredibly important to be able to keep track of how much you’re spending. If you have mortgage payments to cover and bills to pay, you may not be able to afford to go even slightly over budget with your build. Get some quotes, work out what you can afford to spend on the project and make sure the move is financially viable. If you’re stretching yourself too far, consider a modular project and do work as and when you have funds available, starting with essential rooms in the house, such as the kitchen and bathroom.
Am I insured?
If you’ve bought a new house or you’re considering having renovation work done to your current home, it’s wise to mull over your insurance options. You may have home and contents insurance, but have you thought about taking out builders risk insurance? If you’re having a lot of work done, this type of policy will protect you if anything goes wrong with the renovation. If you’ve moved to a different area, you may not be able to switch an existing home insurance policy to a different address without altering it slightly, so contact your insurer to adapt your plan. If you’re near a floodplain or you’ve moved to a location that is vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, for example, you may need to look for a more comprehensive policy.
Have I found the best people for the job?
When you’re planning a revamp, or you’re doing up an old house, make sure you find the best firms and individuals out there for the job. Don’t just get a quote and sign on the dotted line. Ask around for recommendations, look at portfolios and take some time to set up information meeting and discuss ideas and fees. It’s often worth paying a little more in exchange for expertise and experience.
How long will the renovation take?
Whenever you start a project of any kind, it’s useful to be aware of the anticipated completion date. If you’re waiting to move or your home is going to become a building site, you may need to make arrangements in the meantime. Perhaps you’re thinking about taking on a short-term rental contract, or you’re thinking about moving in with your parents while work is underway. If you’ve got a date in mind, this can help you plan in advance.
Have you bought a rundown property you’re hoping to turn into the house of your dreams or are you planning major work at home? If so, it’s worth taking some time to plan in advance and making sure you have the answers to these questions before you begin.
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| Image source: http://www.geograph.ie/photo/1420330 |
When you’re a homeowner, it’s incredibly important to be able to keep track of how much you’re spending. If you have mortgage payments to cover and bills to pay, you may not be able to afford to go even slightly over budget with your build. Get some quotes, work out what you can afford to spend on the project and make sure the move is financially viable. If you’re stretching yourself too far, consider a modular project and do work as and when you have funds available, starting with essential rooms in the house, such as the kitchen and bathroom.
Am I insured?
If you’ve bought a new house or you’re considering having renovation work done to your current home, it’s wise to mull over your insurance options. You may have home and contents insurance, but have you thought about taking out builders risk insurance? If you’re having a lot of work done, this type of policy will protect you if anything goes wrong with the renovation. If you’ve moved to a different area, you may not be able to switch an existing home insurance policy to a different address without altering it slightly, so contact your insurer to adapt your plan. If you’re near a floodplain or you’ve moved to a location that is vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, for example, you may need to look for a more comprehensive policy.
Have I found the best people for the job?
When you’re planning a revamp, or you’re doing up an old house, make sure you find the best firms and individuals out there for the job. Don’t just get a quote and sign on the dotted line. Ask around for recommendations, look at portfolios and take some time to set up information meeting and discuss ideas and fees. It’s often worth paying a little more in exchange for expertise and experience.
How long will the renovation take?
Whenever you start a project of any kind, it’s useful to be aware of the anticipated completion date. If you’re waiting to move or your home is going to become a building site, you may need to make arrangements in the meantime. Perhaps you’re thinking about taking on a short-term rental contract, or you’re thinking about moving in with your parents while work is underway. If you’ve got a date in mind, this can help you plan in advance.
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