Carrying out major home projects is always going to be stressful, but there are a few steps that you can take to make those renovations and repairs as easy as possible. With a solid schedule in place and some professional assistance, you will be able to avoid many of the most common roadblocks that homeowners run into during those types of projects. Read on to find out how to set up a schedule for home renovations and repairs.
Establish a Realistic Timeline
The most important step in this process is making sure that you establish a realistic timeline. As a general rule, you should always add a few extra days to the timeline that the contractor has given you. Contractors can run into a wide variety of issues during major projects including inclement weather, a lack of materials, sick employees, and alterations to the designs. For a comprehensive home renovation, you can expect the contractor and their team to be in your home for at least two months.
Personally Contact Each Contractor
A general contractor can carry out many different projects, but you might want to contact specialists for each aspect of the renovation or repair. If you are going to completely renovate your yard, then you will probably want to work with a plumber, an electrician, a landscaper, and a demo team. Organizing all of those contractors can be tricky, but the results will almost always be better.
Carry Out Major Repairs and Renovations During the Off-Season
One of the best ways to save on repairs and renovations is to schedule those projects during the off-season. The slower season for each type of contractor is slightly different, but you can assume that most renovations and repairs are carried out during the summer. Many contractors offer huge discounts once the weather starts to cool off, and you probably won’t have to worry about long lead times during the fall and winter months.
Don’t Ignore Follow-Up Services
Once your home renovation or upgrade is complete, you must follow a strict maintenance schedule. Things like septic tank pumping services and seasonal HVAC maintenance might seem like a hassle, but those service calls will be invaluable. You could even void the warranty on one of those systems if you don’t follow the recommended maintenance and cleaning schedule.
While many of these projects are going to eat into your finances, they will be incredibly important in the coming years. Keeping your home and property well-maintained is going to make your life easier in the long run and reduce your risk of an expensive catastrophe down the road.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan
