Some homeowners underestimate the complexity and amount of time it takes to complete a major home renovation, but proper planning and preparation will save time, money…and headaches. Before you begin renovating, make sure to collaborate with your contractors to set up a timeline and plan the order of projects. This will give you a sense of what is involved so that you are fully prepared and know exactly what to expect. Learn what Portland, Oregon home renovation experts recommend you know and do before you begin renovating your home.
Plan ahead
- First and foremost, identify your budget, and figure out how you are financing the renovation. Whether you take out a loan or pay in cash, make sure you have enough funds available to cover the project, plus an additional 10% (at least) to allow wiggle room if unexpected expenses arise.
- Determine which projects you plan to DIY and which ones you’ll outsource to contractors. Watching HGTV for hours a day does not qualify you to do extensive construction, so unless you have experience in things like electrical and plumbing, it’s wise to leave that work to the professionals.
- Portland remodeling contractors are very familiar with applying for and obtaining the necessary permits for various projects. If you would like to understand permit requirements, check with the building department on Portland, Oregon’s government website.
Prepare your home
- To avoid delays and scheduling challenges, have all your materials ready and on-site. Stalling due to unavailable products can really put a damper on your renovation.
- Declutter areas where work will be done. Consider temporarily placing furniture and other belongings in a storage unit or pod if you don’t have room to spare in your home.
- Keep kids and pets safe by proactively installing gates and electrical safety covers, and continuously make sure tools, sharp objects, chemicals, or any other dangerous items are out of the way.
- Expect dust. Experienced Portland home renovators will properly zone off rooms as they work, but some collection of dust is inevitable. Cover what you can, and routinely replace air filters during the renovation period.
Understand the order or work
It depends somewhat on your home’s layout, but usually, starting at the innermost portion of your home and working outward will prevent damage and avoid the need to go back through previous work. The advantage of hiring professional contractors for multi-faceted projects is that they will know where best to start. They will likely recommend tackling projects in this order:
- Demolition – To make way for the new design, you must remove and dispose of old materials. A dumpster rental will help to clear out waste along the way, which minimizes the mess and keeps your home safe.
- Structural components – This includes building the framework for new walls, moving walls, adding support beams, and possibly adding or removing doors and windows.
- HVAC, plumbing, electric – When walls and ceilings are exposed is a prime opportunity to conduct electrical, plumbing, ducting work, which can all be done simultaneously.
- Drywall – Hanging drywall also involves the application of spackling and lots of sanding to ensure a smooth surface.
- Cabinets appliances and fixtures – A room will have function again and look more put together at this point. After walls are in place and dry, the lighting and larger fixtures like cabinetry, showers, and sinks can be installed and ready to use.
- Flooring – The next step of the process is to install flooring – whether it be laminate, tile, carpeting, or wood. Some flooring is more involved than others. If you intend to install or refinish wood flooring, hold off on painting until after sanding to avoid stuffing paint on the walls.
- Trim and cosmetic work – This includes baseboards, molding, trim, and other finishing touches.
- Painting – Painting walls and ceilings, wallpapering, and staining trim should be the last interior work.
- Exterior – Conclude with any external work that won’t impact your interior spaces. This may include installing gutters, replacing siding, or painting your home’s exterior.
- Enjoy!
Home remodeling can be challenging and chaotic, but hiring experienced contractors can ease the stress. Ziebart Construction has a team of Portland, Oregon home renovation experts who will plan and execute each project efficiently. Contact us today to get started!
Click Here for a complete guide to a successful remodel in Portland.
