Renovating
Attention All Renovators: 11 Things to Expect
Knowing what lies ahead could save your nerves and streamline the process
If you’ve never renovated before or are taking on a big project, you may feel a bit nervous. How much will it cost? How long will it take? Between the significant expense and excitement of anticipating your finished project, it’s hard not to feel apprehensive. Knowing what to expect can help allay your fears.
What was the biggest surprise you’ve come across while renovating?
What was the biggest surprise you’ve come across while renovating?
3. Triumphant highs
For you it may be the demolition of the ugly vinyl floors in your kitchen. For others it may be the installation of the carefully selected splashback tile. Others still may feel elated only when they see plasterboard go in, or be able to relax when their project is completely done.
4. Multiple sighs
It may be that you just want it to be finished, or that you’re tired of answering so many questions and writing so many cheques. Or you may just be tired of having so many people in your house. Hang in there; renovation fatigue will be short lived when you get to use your new space.
For you it may be the demolition of the ugly vinyl floors in your kitchen. For others it may be the installation of the carefully selected splashback tile. Others still may feel elated only when they see plasterboard go in, or be able to relax when their project is completely done.
4. Multiple sighs
It may be that you just want it to be finished, or that you’re tired of answering so many questions and writing so many cheques. Or you may just be tired of having so many people in your house. Hang in there; renovation fatigue will be short lived when you get to use your new space.
5. The unexpected
If you expect anything, expect this. Asbestos, irregular framing, improvised wiring, funny plumbing and more unexpected surprises may arise. No, you won’t be laughing and neither will your builder. Count on finding something no one could have anticipated when working out your budget and your time frame and you will be well prepared when it happens.
If you expect anything, expect this. Asbestos, irregular framing, improvised wiring, funny plumbing and more unexpected surprises may arise. No, you won’t be laughing and neither will your builder. Count on finding something no one could have anticipated when working out your budget and your time frame and you will be well prepared when it happens.
6. Variation notices
The unexpected’s cousin is the variation notice, by which changed work that will cost more than 2 per cent of the original contract price or require a new permit or cause a delay is documented – along with the reason, new completion date and cost. Sometimes variation notices are needed because of things that clients decide to add or change. When you suddenly want to have a new expensive Italian tile, you can bet a variation notice is on its way. The client and contractor must both sign it and retain a copy.
7. Cashflow concerns
Even if your project is right on budget, the sheer amount of money you are spending may cause a bit of panic. If you’re used to writing four-digit cheques, you can easily be writing them with one or two more zeros during a large reno. If costs are increasing, along with change orders, it could heighten your anxiety. Having cash on hand for contingencies that’s a bare minimum of 10 per cent above what’s contracted will help alleviate that stress. Have 20 per cent if you want to worry less.
The unexpected’s cousin is the variation notice, by which changed work that will cost more than 2 per cent of the original contract price or require a new permit or cause a delay is documented – along with the reason, new completion date and cost. Sometimes variation notices are needed because of things that clients decide to add or change. When you suddenly want to have a new expensive Italian tile, you can bet a variation notice is on its way. The client and contractor must both sign it and retain a copy.
7. Cashflow concerns
Even if your project is right on budget, the sheer amount of money you are spending may cause a bit of panic. If you’re used to writing four-digit cheques, you can easily be writing them with one or two more zeros during a large reno. If costs are increasing, along with change orders, it could heighten your anxiety. Having cash on hand for contingencies that’s a bare minimum of 10 per cent above what’s contracted will help alleviate that stress. Have 20 per cent if you want to worry less.
8. Delays
Weather turns, people get sick, vehicles break down and sometimes faucets ordered from the factory take 10 weeks instead of six. You and your contractor will likely be working from a schedule that assumes the world is a perfect place. It’s not, so knowing that will allow you to be resilient when your schedule shifts a bit.
9. Decisions
Where should the power outlet go? How high do you want the shower head? Where do you want the cabinet hardware mounted? Oil-rubbed bronze or chrome or brushed nickel or satin nickel? Is your head spinning yet? Count on hundreds of questions that you’ll need to answer as your project proceeds, or select your architect as your proxy. Just know that your selection of a licensed, insured domestic builder is only the first of many you will make.
Weather turns, people get sick, vehicles break down and sometimes faucets ordered from the factory take 10 weeks instead of six. You and your contractor will likely be working from a schedule that assumes the world is a perfect place. It’s not, so knowing that will allow you to be resilient when your schedule shifts a bit.
9. Decisions
Where should the power outlet go? How high do you want the shower head? Where do you want the cabinet hardware mounted? Oil-rubbed bronze or chrome or brushed nickel or satin nickel? Is your head spinning yet? Count on hundreds of questions that you’ll need to answer as your project proceeds, or select your architect as your proxy. Just know that your selection of a licensed, insured domestic builder is only the first of many you will make.
10. Outliers
At the end of your project, expect one or two extra challenges that will take longer to resolve than anything else. It may be a light fixture that arrives broken or the very last pieces of tile. The important thing is to get the final details right, even if they take a bit longer.
11. A party!
Expect that you will want to show off your renovated kitchen, living room or new addition. We have had clients throw parties and invite friends, along with us and our trade partners. It’s gratifying for everyone to see a beautifully finished home filled with people enjoying themselves.
TELL US
What did you learn from your latest reno project?
At the end of your project, expect one or two extra challenges that will take longer to resolve than anything else. It may be a light fixture that arrives broken or the very last pieces of tile. The important thing is to get the final details right, even if they take a bit longer.
11. A party!
Expect that you will want to show off your renovated kitchen, living room or new addition. We have had clients throw parties and invite friends, along with us and our trade partners. It’s gratifying for everyone to see a beautifully finished home filled with people enjoying themselves.
TELL US
What did you learn from your latest reno project?
Even with elaborate barrier systems in place, a fine layer of dust can gather in parts of your home that are far from the construction site. There are a few ways to control it. If you can, close off the construction area from the rest of your house with a compression-fit temporary wall. Air filtering systems can extract the dust from the air on the non-construction side of the house. Heat the house without your furnace if possible, or completely block the warm-air and cold-air returns in the construction area. If you don’t, you’ll just be pulling dust from that section of the house into the part where you’re living. Consult a ventilation professional before blocking ducts to make sure your furnace will still work effectively.
2. Noise
It will be incessant. Whining saws, scratching plasterboard sanders and thumping nail guns followed by bellowing compressors; in short, little peace or quiet. Find another place to nap in and don’t count on working from home unless your home office is far away from the construction area. If you’re sure it couldn’t possibly be that bad, visit someone else’s home under construction and you’ll see it will be!