Home renovation can be challenging for all homeowners, but this is especially true for new homeowners. Knowing the challenges of home renovation and how to prepare for those challenges can help your home remodeling project go more smoothly.
Power Problems
Many first homes are older properties that were constructed decades ago. While these homes may be well-built and structurally sound, many were built to comply to the electrical standards of decades ago. In the 1940's and 1950's, it was common for homes to have 60 amp electrical service, or even less.
While this was perfectly adequate for the needs of the people at that time, it's no longer adequate for today's homeowners. If you're thinking about installing a large new appliance during your upcoming renovation, you may need an electrical panel upgrade, complete with dedicated circuits. Talk to your contractor about your home's current electrical service. He or she can let you know if you need a new electrical panel for your upcoming renovation, so you can budget appropriately.
Prioritizing
Many first homes are fixer-uppers. If this is the case for your home, you may have a long laundry list of changes to make to your property. Knowing what to address first can be difficult. It may be tempting to make aesthetic changes first, but these upgrades are less important than changes that address structural problems and system failures. Some of the most important problems to address first include:
- Water damage. Water damage and dry rot from previous leaks can lead to pest infestation, mold and other problems. If your home has identifiable water damage, this needs to be repaired before the problem spreads.
- Roof leaks. Roof problems can quickly become unlivable, especially during seasons of wet weather.
- Plumbing leaks. Plumbing leaks can lead to water damage. Even slow plumbing leaks can do hundreds or thousands of dollars of damage if they're not addressed in a timely fashion.
- HVAC problems. HVAC problems can lead to serious discomfort during the summer and winter, when extreme high and low temperatures are common.
Staying in Budget
Perhaps the greatest challenge for new homeowners who are trying to renovate is staying in budget. Many new homeowners don't even realize the ways that their remodeling project can go over budget, and don't know how to control their costs. Working with an experienced contractor and staying in close communication with that contractor can help keep costs controlled and manageable. If your contractor knows your budget and your needs, he or she can point out ways that you can save money and still accomplish your goals.
Litchfield Builders has been in business for over 25 years. If you're looking for an experienced, trustworthy general contractor to help you through the renovation of your first home, contact us today!
