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Home renovations are a massive undertaking, but if you’ve been living in your home for many years, they may also be an inevitability. Part of your house may be outdated, or your needs may have changed since you bought it. It’s quite common for homeowners to want to renovate instead of move.
If you’re especially crafty, you might be looking to do the home renovation yourself. The internet is full of videos and how-to guides to help you through this process, and many people do it successfully all the time. However, there are a few steps you need to take before taking a hammer to a wall.
Plan, Plan, Plan
One of the worst things that could happen when doing a DIY home renovation is getting halfway through the process and realizing you don’t know what to do next. Everything is in a state of chaos, you’ve been working on it for a while, and you just want everything to be magically fixed. In that state, it’s often hard to think clearly, so having a plan to fall back on is necessary.
In your plan, you’ll want to include a variety of things. Detailed instructions on how to do everything you’re going to do are a must–especially if you’re attempting something you’ve never done before. Make sure you know the common pitfalls and who to call if something goes incredibly wrong. Also, plan your renovation around your own schedule. Pick a period of time where you’re free, and build in time in your schedule for the renovation to take longer than expected.
Check Your Budget
Along with your plan, you need to make sure you budget for the renovations you’re about to make. Do your research on what materials you need, the quality of materials you want, and the other miscellaneous costs that go into your renovation. Depending on the size of your renovation, you might consider including a buffer in your budget to fall back on if something goes wrong or you need more materials than you originally thought.
Know Where the Pipes Are
The quickest way to ruin your renovation before it begins is accidentally taking out one of the pipes in your home. Before you take a hammer to your wall, you need to track where the pipes run, so you don’t hit one during your renovation. Pipes are going to be in and around rooms like your bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. You can also tap gently on your walls, listening for where it sounds like there is something behind that point on the wall (instead of simple drywall). Stud finders are also useful for this.
Keep Track of Electrical Wires
Electrical wires can be deceptive in how dangerous they are. If you’re doing any work in or around electrical outlets, make sure you turn off the power to those wires from your breaker box. Better to be safe than sorry. The electrical breaker box is located in a different place in every house, but common places include a utility room or garage.
Know Your Limits
Home renovations can be something simple or something intense. Knowing your skills and what you can handle on your own is key to completing one successfully. If you get halfway through a renovation you weren’t equipped to do, it will likely result in you having to hire a contractor to fix your mistakes. At the same time, you don’t want to waste money on a contractor when you are perfectly capable of doing it yourself. Be confident in your abilities but also realistic when it comes to your limits.
