Kitchen Renovations & Upgrade Projects
It is downright amazing the level of planning and follow through many home renovators will go to
. Some spend years planning - getting a work shed in the back yard. Going from retail store to retail store from small time contractors they find on Craiglist or Kijiji. Its attention to every detail . And yet when they get to their final project or upgrade they find the work boring in detail and then hire a pro. Such is life and human nature.
The set of skills required differ with each job or improvement that needs to be done. Simple surface treatments like painting, hanging cabinets, wallpapering, flooring and replacing light fixtures can be accomplished by the average homeowner. If you are thinking about improving your home substantially, it is a good idea to organize a simple home improvement file system. Often its a case of the simpler and low tech the better.
One very successful auto dealer carries around his address book on an older style Bates 1960's listfinder phone book. In a similar fashion is to use a large manila envelope or folder for each and every room. Or alternatively you might keep a large envelope or folder for each room. When you see a magazine , pamphlet , or idea online and print it out - simply file it in your database this way for simple and organized retrieval and later use and implementation. Perhaps you would like to get rid of the "morning traffic jam" by adding another bathroom or another lavatory , toilet or shower stall. Maybe you would like to modernize the kitchen with new cabinets or appliances. Or maybe its a case of updating the house wiring for more voltage or wattage to accommodate additional appliances . Air conditioners, workshop tools or other "modern" electrical appliances come to top of mind. What ever you have in mind - both major and minor, your first and initial moves is to begin and then find out how. Luckily in 2011 its a do it yourselfer's world. Remodeling one's home can be successful even if you do it on your own. All you need is careful planning and a correct evaluation of your personal skills. Creating a schedule for the tasks ahead makes the whole process simpler and faster. Don't forget other essentials before beginning the kitchen's remodeling project. These will range from permits from the local building department, down to proper materials and tools. It would be wise to leave this to the experts.
Again, all permits must be in place. This might include dumping permits in some localities, for when you dispose of construction refuse. Also determine the appropriate place for depositing unwanted construction materials. Coordinate with the shop management for when the materials and tools need to be delivered. Ensure that all the items reach your home. If you are unsure if dealing with trades men or women speak to your lawyer ,attorney or barrister. One ploy to beware of is the signed completion certificate. This enables the less than scrupulous contractor to collect their money upfront from the bank or loan agency financing the work and leave the home or investment property owner with uncompleted repairs or work in progress that never reaches completion. In such event and situation the boss pleaded with the victim "Just sign so that I can pay the boys before Christmas". The "boys" or the boss never made a return visit. The home renovator was left out in the cold. When it comes to "project management" everyone has their preferences , what they are used to and what works for them. Some use sophisticated computer programs , others simple hilroy type scribblers while others like their blackberries or iPhones apps as they always have their smart phones handy in their pocket. The more work you intend to accomplish means that more planning is required. Include these priorities in the checklist. A sequence of tasks to be completed must be established, as well as, the time it will take to finish each one. If you need professional assistance, ensure that the contracts and schedules are firm. This applies to deals with contractors, subcontractors and hired workers. Make sure that you all have the building permits needed. Make arrangements for the delivery of supplies and tools. Sometimes, electricity, water or gas ought to be shut off by the utility company. The "left over materials from another job site' scheme. Your grandmother may of told you that "if they steal from other they will steal from you". Yet this tactic is the bait of more than one itinerant repair person or tradesman, who claim that they have a "good " or even "better" price structure because we have material just "lying around" or "left over" from another job. It should set off alarms as if a Kirk type character were plying his wares to you off the cuff. If not sure or not comfortable tell the character to shove off and be gone. Beware of home improvement frauds. The home "improvement " industry has become a source of easy picking for fast talking operations and charlatans. Both American and Canadian are out of estimated 100's of millions of dollars a year. And that is on the low side of the estimated scale. Some knowledge of how they operate is your best defense against such swindlers and con men. Its not only in the financial and investment fields will you encounter such fiends. More than one amateur home renovator or even commercial signage operator has thought themselves "smart" by avoiding permits and their associated fees only to discover to their chagrin that the fines levied as well as time and legal expenses allotted make it all in all a case of poor economy overall. Isn't your time worth something. Pay the fees and do the paperwork. Its a fact of life in 2011 - taxes, taxes taxes.
Never mind a dog license soon you will have to obtain a pet hamster registration along with all the forms being filled out correctly 100 %. If you are modernizing a kitchen entertainment area or bathroom plan to visit the display areas of big box hardware and lumber stores for ideas , resources and tips. Also don't forget commercial suppliers to contractors and plumbers. You might want custom built only to realize that ready made complete cabinets, counter-top and sink units, while mass produced and ordinary may save you a lot of time ,expense and grief. Put together as part of the mix they may just do quite well. Since such units are mass produced they are usually less costly and expensive than custom made units even if you do the labor yourself. Its both the benefits of experience and scales of economy of bulk buying of supplies and product. These are available in most, if not all, home improvement centers or building supply centers. If you are interest in learning and practicing before diving into the whole business of renovation, there are "how to" classes" that you can enroll in. These are usually available in adult education programs where you will learn basic techniques; acquire more experience in handling tools and the like.
How much will it cost ? To estimate to cost of your overall project , make a rough sketch of the structure and fill in the measurements. Next make a materials list and listing fully.
Experts in the trade say as a rule of thumb , then add 10 % extra for wastage and unplanned for mistakes on the job, as a rule of thumb in the construction trades. Bear in mind that some tasks are best left to expert hands. Work that includes moving bearing walls, wiring new electrical circuits or service panels, running new drain and vent pipes must be done professionally. If you have basic experience and are confident with your home improvement skills, you can still try them out in smaller plumbing, electrical or structural projects. Use this sequence as the guide in dismantling your old kitchen. Depending on the requirements and scale of the job, some parts might need to be altered. A good way to start is to get to know your house and abode as you have never known it before. With a notebook in hand go over your house from room to room. As you move through your house or condo act like a prospective buyer or real estate broker sizing it up. Try to be as objective as humanely possible. Jot down everything that must be done to put the house into excellent repair and stead. Also itemize all those things that you think are wrong. Be ruthless in detail and scope. Start with the removal of decorative elements of the kitchen or the accessories, to be followed by the furniture. Remove the contents of the pantry, shelves, closets and other cabinets. Here is a sample of a basic sequence that you can follow when you start dismantling the old kitchen. Start with the removal or accessories and other decorative elements. Next to be removed is the furniture. Empty out the closets, cabinets and shelves then proceed with the transfer of fixtures and appliances to your temporary storage section. Countertops and backsplashes will be the next priority. Take out the base cabinets, shelves and wall cabinets. The last three on the list are the floor materials, light fixtures and wall coverings. Detach the base, wall cabinets and shelves. The last three would be the floor materials, light fixtures and wall coverings.
During the course of your "project" you may well wonder if it is all worth it. Many areas of home improvement can be done by any homeowner with a do-it-yourself ability. Basic tasks like wallpapering, painting, replacing light fixtures, laying down flooring and hanging cabinets are fairly straightforward jobs. However, some basic tasks might require a specialized tool or so. An area for priority, when it comes to home improvement, is the kitchen. Many activities occur in this area on a daily basis and this place is the most accessible spot in the house for all residents. It's just fitting to make an effort to maintain and update this section of the house. Should you decide to renovate on your own, meticulous planning will be essential. Be equipped with the supplies and tools you need for the project. Evaluate your construction skills and leave complicated tasks to the experts. A schedule will motivate you to work faster and will save you more time and money.
by: Terry S Vostor
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