Home Renovations and Improvements: What Do You Really Want to Do?
by adminHome Renovations and Improvements: What Do You Really Want to Do?
By Gil Strachan
PLANNING is the first step toward successful renovation. You re probably planning improvements all the time, and just don t realize it. For example, if you feel you don t have enough kitchen cabinets, or enough counter space, you ve already started planning a kitchen renovation.
IF YOU AREN T HAPPY with the arrangement of a room, or the number of rooms, you ve begun a major improvement plan. Once you start visualising things the way you d really like them, you ve started planning improvements.
You ve likely had some improvement projects in mind for a while - if only you knew how and where to start, and how much these ideas would cost. A good way to start is to inspect and evaluate the house like you ve probably never done before - go over the house as if you were tomorrow s prospective buyer.
AWKWARD FLOOR PLAN? Does everyone trample the hall carpet on their way in and out of the house? Do you have to walk through the living room get to the basement?
WASTED SPACE? Can you gain an extra room in the basement or attic? Would the veranda look nicer closed in? Could you turn the garage into a play room or a workshop?
MINOR ANNOYANCES? Do doors open the wrong way? Are you missing plug-ins where you need them? Enough storage space? Having trouble heating some areas in cold weather?
YUCKY DECORATING? Does every room look as good as it could? Any rooms need paint, paper or a new floor covering? More or less lighting?
REPAIRS NEEDED? Broken shingles, cracked mortar, leaky plumbing? Walls and ceilings cracked? Electrical wiring in good shape? Are you getting the best possible performance from your heating system?
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
By the time you finish your inspection, you will have an overall improvement plan. It will probably be too extensive, and far too expensive to accomplish all at once. Decide what you expect the finished work to accomplish, and how you want it to look. Prioritise all your project ideas.
ARMED WITH THIS INFORMATION, you can intelligently approach a contractor to discuss the project, or you can start planning to do all or some of the work yourself.
Gil Strachan is a professional home inspector, representing Electrospec Home Inspection Services in east-central Ontario, Canada since 1994. Visit http://www.allaroundthehouse.com to learn more about home inspections.
“The Home Reference Book”
You can probably find a home inspection for a little less than what we ask, but you probably won t find the Home Reference Book.
Home Renovations
Home RenovationsBy Tej Sharma Sharma
It is a major decision whether to undertake home renovations in your present home or buy or move to a new ...
Simple Home Renovations
Simple Home RenovationsBy Tom Turner
You own the home of your dreams and it s everything you always wanted, but it could use some sprucing up. ...
Kitchen Renovations Tips for a Multi-Purpose Modern Kitchen
Kitchen Renovations Tips for a Multi-Purpose Modern KitchenBy Natasha Salve
Kitchen renovations are no more restricted to just repairing the co...
Add Value To Your Home With A Home Improvement Loan
Add Value To Your Home With A Home Improvement LoanBy Paul Heath
Buying a home is a big and important investment for most people, and understan...
Hiring a Contractor to Help with Home Improvements
Hiring a Contractor to Help with Home ImprovementsBy Jordi Shoman
Renovating your home can be an immense undertaking, especially if you choose ...
It s the first tool you should have around the house!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gil_Strachan
http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-Renovations-and-Improvements:-What-Do-You-Really-Want-to-Do?&id=99764
Sphere: Related Content.
