CAN YOU AFFORD THE RENOVATION COST?

Do you want to know if your current home can withstand any renovation? Consult the following professionals first for guidance.

Architects

Architects can help coordinate designers, engineers, and construction workers to ensure everything is set. You may want to deal with someone who shares your design preferences, has experience working on the kind of project you wish to do, and show a portfolio and provide similar references for similar work. The professional should be able to present a feasible timetable and outline the prospective challenges for the renovation.

Designers

Using their expertise and perspective, a designer can come up with solutions to make your abode more spacious, organized, and attractive. The person can help you choose the best paint, fabric, furniture, and other embellishments, as well as make spaces more functional and useful. A designer can even assist you in securing the necessary documents to implement your desired design.

General Contractors

Contractors are responsible for developing, organizing, and overseeing remodeling-related works, as well as coordinating the tasks and subcontractors required by a project. They can also help design and secure approval for any plans and permits which a local building department requires. Before getting their services, make sure they have the time, manpower, and expertise to deliver the renovation your house needs.

Structural Engineers

If your home remodeling entails changing load-bearing beams, columns, walls, and the like, you may need to tap a structural engineer. This professional can help you integrate a complex addition to your house to ensure it won’t affect your property’s existing structure. Although a general contractor can handle such a job, a structural engineer is the better person for this aspect.

Should you decide to remodel your house, be reminded of these two things:

• Do not overimprove, especially if you consider selling it later. You may experience difficulty to get as much for your home as you believe it’s worth. One of the most important considerations when looking for a house is location. Otherwise, renovate all you want if you plan to stay in your home for a long time.
• Bear in mind safety and health hazards of remodeling your house, in case it has lead paint or asbestos. Renovation can create lead dust and lead paint chips, especially if the paint used to build a home is created before 1978. Asbestos is a mineral fiber present in insulation, patching compounds, textured paint, vinyl flooring, walls, and other materials in older properties. Its small fibers can be scattered into the air, which can result in lung cancer or asbestosis when inhaled.