Renovating your Winnipeg home is a great way to add style and value to the property. While there are many benefits to a properly executed remodel, getting there takes a bit of work, especially if you are considering acting as your own project manager. Organization, attention to detail and smart planning are all crucial to the renovation process. Here are some tips to help you along the way.
List Making
Before anyone lifts a hammer in your home, make a list for your renovation. Write out the scope of work you are planning, and then, break things down into smaller steps that lay out everything to be done, start to finish. Do this before starting your project, and give yourself time to fine tune your list to ensure it is both accurate and detailed.
As a project manager, you will be dealing with multiple sub-contractors, so make sure everyone gets a copy of your list. This lets the professionals on the job site know what your goals are, what your expectations are and how the job will flow through to final completion.
Working on the Same Page
Another crucial reason for your list is to make sure that everyone working on your Winnipeg home renovation remains on the same page and knows what the other professionals on the job site are doing. A woodworking professional who tries to install cabinets while the flooring professionals are in the kitchen will certainly encounter delays. Similarly, your framing and drywall professionals need to know when to leave the walls open for electricians or plumbers. The timing of your project is crucial and can significantly impact costs, and making sure that everyone on the jobsite works together is the only way to prevent unnecessary delays and reduce your bottom dollar.
Subsections
In addition to creating a list that outlines all the steps of your project, it is important to break that list down into subsections that provide specifics on each component of the home renovation. While the steps involved in renovating a bathroom in Winnipeg might include tearing out the tile, vanity and dividing wall between the shower and tub, installing new flooring tile and a tile surround, installing the tub and vanities and adding a glass enclosure for the shower and granite countertops for the vanity, each step in the process is much more intricate. Installing the shower alone includes laying out the size and shape for the new shower, placing the drain, selecting and placing the faucet and showerhead, choosing the tile and grout, and deciding whether a full glass surround or partial glass surround is desired. The more detail you provide your contractors with, the better they will be prepared to provide you with an accurate estimate so you can fully assess the costs of the entire project.
Contingencies
Even if you have devised the most accurate list possible and hired the best Winnipeg home renovation contractors, sometimes, unexpected surprises will pop up. If a wall is removed and an unexpected plumbing line is behind it, that line usually must be removed and relocated before the project can continue. If tile is ripped up and there is mold underneath, failing to remedy it can cause further damage and compromise your family’s health. To address these types of concerns, build a 10-percent contingency into the budget. This will financially prepare you should the unexpected problem need to be remedied, reducing stress and preventing your Winnipeg home renovation from coming to a halt.
Hiring a Professional
If all this sounds like a lot of work and a huge time commitment, it is! While acting as your own project manager certainly offers rewards, sometimes the best approach is to call in a professional Winnipeg general contractor. With the help of professionals at Alair Homes Winnipeg, creating the outline for your project is simplified. You can choose the right sub-contractors and keep them on the same page so your project runs smoothly. If something unexpected should come up, your general contractor can also assist in finding the fastest, most cost effective remedies, saving you time and money. Putting their project in the hands of a professional is a smart move and often the right choice for anyone looking to renovate their Winnipeg home.