If you are having a remodel done on your house, whether it’s one room or a complete remodel, chances are you want to know what to expect. Below are 11 things that you should expect to happen during remodel so that you are ready.
Dust
Even though there’s going to be plastic covering the work area, there’s going to be a lot of dust that is on your house’s interior. There are ways you can control the dust. If possible, close off your construction area using temporary walls. Another good idea is to run things known as air handlers in your house. These will pull that dust from your house’s non-construction air. If you can, heat your house without using your furnace, or totally block your cold and warm air returns into where the construction is. If you don’t, you’re going to pull dust from the construction area of your house to the area where you are living.
Noise
You’re going to have a lot of noise when you’ve having a remodel done. Sheetrock sanders scratching, nail guns thumping, and saws whirring are going to be followed by compressors bellowing. You’re not going to have a lot of peace in the house. If you want to get some rest, it might be a good idea to find somewhere else to nap. If you work from home, expect to find somewhere else to work.
Triumphant Highs
There are going to be days when you are feeling awesome. It might be when your vinyl floors are pulled up or when you have that beautiful new backsplash put up. There trulky is something satisfying about seeing something new go up in your home.
Multiple Sighs
Just like there will be times when you are feeling great, there are also going to be times when you are ready for the work to be finished. You may not want to answer any more questions or you may not want to write anymore checks. You might just want your normal life back. This feeling is normal over the course of a remodel.
The Unexpected
One thing that you should really expect is the unexpected. Irregular framing, asbestos, jerry-rigged wiring, unusual plumbing and a lot of other unexpected surprises can arise. Chances are you won’t find it funny and your contractor won’t either. Expect to find something that nobody anticipated in the time frame and budget that you laid out so that you’re prepared mentally when this happens.
Change Orders
With the unexpected comes change orders. This is how any changed and new work will be documented, along with the reduced or added cost. They can also be used to resolve allowances, and these are the budget placeholders for certain items. Usually change orders will happen due to things that a client decides to change or add. When you must have that certain tile, chances are you’re going to need one of these change orders.
Cash Concerns
Your remodeling might be on budget. However, you might have a bit of sticker shock when you see how much you’re spending. If the checks you normally write have just three or four digits, you may find that you are writing checks that are 5 or 6 digits if your remodel is big. If you find that costs are going up, along with your change orders, this can cause an increase in anxiety. You want to have at least 10% more money, than what your budget calls for, on hand so that you’re ready for contingencies. It will help with alleviating this stress. 20% is even better if you can manage it.
Delays
In a perfect world, everything would be done when it’s supposed to be done. Chances are there are going to be delays in your construction. People can get sick, there is bad weather, vehicles break down, and things can take longer to be delivered. You want to be ready for delays and know that these things will happen.
Decisions
There are a lot of decisions that you will have to make. Where do you want the outlets? How high should the showerhead be? Where should your cabinets’ hardware be mounted? What type of hardware do you want – satin nickel, brushed nickel, chrome or oil-rubbed bronze? Your head is going to be spinning by the time you make all of these decisions! That’s why it’s a good idea to start considering them before you hire the contractor.
Outliers
At your project’s end, expect that there’s going to be at least one of the items that are going to take longer for resolution than the other things. It could be one of your light fixtures arriving broken or two final tile pieces. You want to make sure that those last details are correct, even if they’re taking a bit longer.
Party!
Once you have your remodel done, chances are that you want to have some people over to show it off! Whether it’s one room or a whole remodel, the hard work that you have done is something you want to share with others. Plus, everyone’s going to want to see the finished product that you have worked so hard for!
These are 11 things that have a good chance of happening during your remodel. Be prepared for them so that you’re not worried when they happen. Sometimes everything goes smoothly but those times are rare. When you’re prepared, you should have less anxiety. Although it doesn’t make it any better, it will help you be ready!
