Are you looking to renovate a house?
Whether it's to do up and sell on or make your dream home, renovating is an exciting project. But it's not a decision you should make on a whim. When renovating a house, the kitchen has to be included in the process. This is where most people spend their time, so you should make it as functional as possible. You can start by adding a new 30 in undermount sink to your kitchen. The sink will be bigger than the one you have now, which means you can have more room for cooking utensils and appliances.
There's a lot more involved in renovating a house than you might think. It's always beneficial to consult with professionals and you must hire the best home builder in Toronto that will make your work near perfect.
Read on for our complete guide to renovating a house so you know what to prepare for.
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Find a Property
Pretty much every house you'll see has renovation potential, but the key is to look at its design. Make sure the home has a commercial layout and design before committing to a property.
You also want to make sure that there is financial potential too, so your renovations will turn a profit. This is important, even if you're planning on making this house your family home.
Talk to agents and drive around the area to see what other homeowners did to similar properties. Get a structural assessment of any properties you're considering by a professional surveyor.
Get them to look for things like cracks, no heating, rewiring, and so on. You need to have a list of what needs renovating, so you can work out how much the project would cost...and if it's within your home renovation budget.
Get a Designer on Board
During home renovation, you need to highlight its best features. It might have a larger garden, a spectacular view, or original period features.
You'll already have a list of the property's known worst features (like a leaky roof, or fried wiring). Bear in mind though that some problems may stay hidden until after you start working on the house.
Depending on the project scale, one of the best home renovating tips is to hire a designer. This could be an architect, interior designer, or both. It's a must for projects on a large scale, especially if they involve structural work.
Designers have the talent, knowledge, and experience to make the most of any space. They'll work with your budget to get the best results, and can offer up ideas you may never have thought of alone.
Restoration of Existing Features
One thing that never changes is the charm a house's original period features bring. Do you know how to renovate a house where these features aren't there, or do they need repairs? Do you know when it's worth it to carry out restorations?
In some cases, how much it would cost to restore period features might not make financial sense. You need to be willing to compromise and consider sympathetic replacements.
But, one thing to avoid is replacing period windows with new plastic ones. Even if you got a custom design to match the existing, they'll never look authentic to the rest of the house.
Structural Changes
There might be some basement space you want to add or make the most of, or an attic ripe for a bedroom or two.
One way to add an extra room or two you should consider is an attic conversion. It's:
- cost-effective
- popular for buyers
- less disruptive than other modifications
But if you're planning structural changes, this is a job for professionals. It's important that you hire a contractor to carry out this work for you for the best results.
External Renovations
Renovating the house's exterior can transform into something brand new. It's amazing the difference it can make, and there are options to suit all budgets.
Even if you can afford a major revamp, it might not be the best choice though. In most cases, it's the smaller, finer details that can have the most impact. Things like the fences, railings, and woodwork, for example.
Updating Electrics & Heating
Older houses bring quirks, which are often great for interiors, not so much for the wiring. Don't be surprised if the house's electrics and heating systems don't work at all. You need to call a licensed electrician in Sorrento at this point.
You'll need to factor in a whole-house rewiring and a brand new heating system into your budget. So, make sure you look around for quotes before committing to a home that needs this level of work.
If you want to go a step further, consider underfloor heating. It'll take more thought and planning, but it's worth it. After all, with a complete rewire, you'll be getting into the guts of the house already.
For any heating and electrical work, you need to hire a professional like 1Zap Electrical. You can find out more here at https://www.1zapelectrical.com.au/. When hiring an electrician make sure they're fully licensed and insured.
Eco Improvements
Eco renovations are where you improve the energy efficiency of a property. Not only does this save money in the long run, but it also makes the house more comfortable to live in.
The main way you do this is to reduce the draughts in the house. Good insulation is a priority, especially if your schedule takes you close to winter.
Having high-quality insulation will also help your HVAC system run more efficiently. It won't have to work so hard heating and cooling the home. In turn, you should see a significant reduction in your energy bills.
Renovating a House: Final Thoughts
When renovating a house, it's common at the start to feel like you you're making more mess than progress. But, once the structural work has passed, it'll be easier to see the vision you and your designers have.
And take it from us, putting those finishing touches in is the best part. You'll likely have to redecorate the whole interior. You can go for whatever style appeals to you the most if you're living there.
But it's worth considering your colors and look if you think you'll sell soon. If you're renovating the home to flip, you definitely want to choose colors that will appeal to buyers. Not your personal tastes.
Lighter, neutral colors like beige and grey are popular choices. They can add the illusion of a lighter, bright space that's larger than it is. It also creates a blank canvas feel for people to put their own stamp on.
When working with walls that have been recently replastered, you need to let them dry. Don't paint or wallpaper over them until there aren't any wet or damp spots anymore. This should take a week but could be as long as 6 weeks.
At this stage, the light is at the end of the tunnel. Let the vision you have for how your home will look shine through. Or stage the perfect home that buyers will fall in love with immediately. This is where your hard work pays off, so enjoy it.
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