subject: Home Renovation Tips [print this page] Renovating your home can be a very stressful and daunting task. There are costs, schedules, and inconveniences to worry about. There are plans to make and supplies and tools to buy and rent. For the first time renovator, this can easily be overwhelming. Luckily, there are some tricks of the trade and good strategies you can employ to learn from the mistakes of those who have gone before you in the stormy seas of home renovation. So read on for some great home renovation tips.
The Contractor
Many projects will require that you hire a contractor. Of course there are many tips along the lines of make sure to get references, look at examples of his other work, nail down the timeline and scope of the project, make sure to get an accurate estimate. Though these are all good tips, they have been covered to death. The truth is that contractors are expensive and if you do not learn to do some things yourself, you will just have to keep paying them. So here is a novel solution to this problem; hire a contractor that will teach you the tricks of the trade while he works. This way, you are gaining valuable knowledge for your money, and will be able to do repairs and future projects for yourself. You will also know how each project was done, so you know if it was done correctly. Of course you will have to find a contractor that is ok with this arrangement, but they are out there, and the ones that are game for this are probably a better choice anyway.
Renting Equipment
Renting equipment for the renovation project is a good way to save money, as some of the tools you will need are expensive and impractical for you to own just for a limited use. Some tips on renting equipment are to make sure you have the employees at the rental store teach you how to use the equipment properly. This will not only ensure that you do not damage the machine, but will ensure that the job is done correctly and that you remain safe as well. Also be sure to inspect the machine thoroughly for damage before you take it home with you. This will prevent you from not only having to come back and get another one, but also from potentially having to pay for the damage yourself.
Planning Ahead
Of course you should have a plan for your project before you start. This advice is more about thinking about what you will need before you need it. This means things like anticipating loss of access to your bathroom, when you will need certain materials, when to rent a tool so that you pay the least amount for it possible and so on. Consider that you may need to shut off your breaker box during the project. This means that you may need to buy new generator sets for your project or rent portable generators so that you still have power in your home and for your project.
