Most home remodeling projects will take some time (depending on how small or large your project may be) and involve a bit of chaos to your usual day-to-day life. Whether you’re doing a major home renovation, remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, ripping out a room, or want a fresh makeover for that unused space, remodeling your home takes a commitment. Since renovating a room in your home or remodeling your entire house can take time and depending on exact scope of the project, it may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to complete. That means days of subcontractors schlepping (aka hauling or carrying) products, tools, and a lot of dust throughout your home. Even smaller projects can often times disturb a homeowners daily routine so before you begin your home remodel, brush up on these basic facts so you and your family are ready and prepared for the up’s and down’s that may arise.
Home Remodeling Facts You Should Consider Before Starting A Remodeling Project
Here are a few basic considerations to help you and your family survive your next remodeling project:
Please Note: These are just a few common remodeling projects that most homeowners are likely to undertake — these projects obviously require professional contractors, planning and permits and will take some time to complete.
Refinishing Hardwood Floors
Updating hardwood floors usually involves sanding, staining, and sealing the wood. Whether you’re refinishing one room or an entire house, the process will require you to move furniture, cover surfaces to protect from wood dust. In most cases if you use oil-based sealants, you’ll have to temporarily sleep elsewhere to avoid breathing the fumes. In addition you will not be able to step on the hardwood floors for at least two days after the last coat of sealant is applied.
Bathroom Remodel
Remodeling your homes outdated bathroom usually involves any of the following: updating plumbing and electrical fixtures, replacing old toilet and bath tub with energy efficient upgrades, installing tiles around the tub, place flooring, and installing new cabinets and vanity counters. If you’re planning a bathroom remodel, and you only have one bathroom in your home, you will undoubtedly have to consider some temporary changes to your personal life. However, if you have more than one bathroom it will make the upgrade a bit easier. Keep in mind that with most plumbing updates, you will still encounter water outages while the work is being done. Also, if you plan to remodel your master bathroom, keep in mind that workman will be going back and forth through your bedroom daily in order to complete this project. Bathroom remodels can take anywhere from six to eight weeks to complete.
Major Kitchen Remodel
A lot of detail goes into remodeling a kitchen, and an average kitchen remodel will take anywhere between 2-3 months depending on how elaborate it may be. However extensive the process, most major kitchen remodels involve any of the following: replacing cabinets and countertops, custom kitchen designs, replacing appliances, add lighting, and changing flooring. One huge consideration you need to make when undertaking a major kitchen remodel is you’re your kitchen will be out of commission during that entire time. You will most likely be eating out more, and finding creative ways to wash a few dishes in the bathroom sink. In addition it’s also a good idea to move all of your appliances to another room in your home (such as the dinning room or living room) to create a makeshift space for preparing food at home if needed.
Two-Story Addition
Building an addition is like constructing an entire house attached to your house. The nice thing is that you will not be bothered until the very end, when you break through the wall that connects the two structures. Than expect a lot of noise and trucks in your driveway throughout the project. When you connect the structures, you’ll have to put up with some commotion — demolition, carpentry, drywall installation, and painting. Keep in mind that this type of upgrade involves a lot of cleanup throughout the house when the construction is over. Being prepared ahead of time may help alleviate the stress.
Single Room Remodel
Depending on the specifics on this remodel, finishing an unused room or space in your house to create a new room such as an entertaining area, wet bar or bathroom could take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to complete. In most cases turning an unfinished space into extra living space requires all the finishes of a new addition — plumbing, electrical, flooring, walling, and insulation. The good news: work is usually confined to a part of the house you rarely use making the remodeling project less stressful to your day-to-day routine.
