10 Steps on Revising Your House
Revising and remodeling our house is such an exciting project! With all of the inspiration in the media (looking at you, HGTV), it’s easy to get the Demo Day bug and start dreaming up all the changes you can make in your own home. But don’t grab your sledgehammer quite yet! Before you even lift the first screwdriver, there is a lot to consider.
So before you even think about knocking out any walls, check out these steps for revising your home – and follow them to a T!
Step 1: Plan & Design
It’s tempting to go full steam ahead and start contacting construction teams, but you need a plan first! Determine what parts of the house you want to renovate. Ask yourself what timeline you want to keep, what kind of budget you’re working with, and what your top priorities are.
This is also the time to draft out any design ideas you have. Don’t worry if you’re not an artist or architect! Just sketch out something simple that a professional can draw inspiration from.
Finally, determine what parts of the renovation will be done by a pro and what you can DIY. Be realistic! Don’t expect yourself to become a master electrician or contractor overnight – maybe you can do the painting, but leave the nitty-gritty stuff to the people who are trained and certified.
Step 2: Assemble Your Team of Pros
Now that you know what kind of professional help you’ll need, it’s time to start talking with those pros to get estimates and outline your plans with them.
First things first, find a reliable contractor who you can trust with your project. They will be your new best friend, and you want that relationship to bloom quicker than a Texas magnolia! Your contractor will check into the permits required by your municipality and any additional regulations to make sure your project goes off without a hitch.
You should also talk to your insurance agent. Check into the coverage you have before the construction crew shows up on your doorstep! Your coverage may also change based on your newly renovated home (depending on how drastic your revision is), so it’s best to keep your insurance agent in the loop as the project goes on.
Step 3: Account for Waste Removal
Revising a house creates a lot of waste and debris – so you had better prepare for it ahead of time. Otherwise, you may come home one day to a pile of drywall and scrap lumber sitting in your driveway!
Factor the cost of a dumpster or other waste removal services into your budget. Discuss the plan for waste removal with your contractor to set clear expectations for him and his crew.
If you’re lost when it comes to finding a reliable waste removal service or dumpster provider, don’t sweat it. Check out JCS-G website or give us a call at (843) 594-1771, and we’ll help you find the perfect solution for your project. Be sure to look at our blog Why Should You Get a Dumpster Rental for more ideas as well!
Step 4: Check for Structural Integrity
Before you dig into the meat of your house, you’ll want to assess its overall structure, especially if it’s an older house that you want to upgrade.
Have the foundation inspected for any cracks, shifting, or excessive moisture that will cause structural problems down the road. Check on your roof to make sure you don’t need any repairs (or replacements!) before you invest in a brand-new remodel.
On a similar note, use this time to replace seriously damaged windows and pieces of siding on the outside of your house. Sure, those may be addressed in the process of revising your home, but make sure that the damage won’t hinder the construction crews’ work.
Step 5: Demo Day!
Yes, you can finally bust out your sledgehammer! Proceed with caution, just the same. Make sure you’re demolishing only the house sections outlined in the plans and confirm with your contractor the strategy for demo day. Make sure you have plenty of protective gear like gloves and goggles, and ensure that your dumpster is ready to rumble in the driveway – it’s about to get real full real quick!
Step 6: Build the Bones
If you’ve hired a contractor, this is definitely the time to step aside and let him do his thing. The crew will get busy constructing new walls, adding beams to support existing walls, adding or removing doorways, and adding framing for any changes to your windows.
Step 7: Install Utility Equipment
While the walls are wide open, get your electrician, plumber, and HVAC technician on-site to make any changes or add new components for your house revision. Once they’ve done their part, make sure their work is verified by plumbing and electrical inspectors.
Step 8: Put it Back Together
Once the utility equipment is all set, and the construction crew has made all the structural changes needed, it’s time to start putting it all together. Lay insulation in the ceiling and walls, and install the new windows. Hang drywall, apply drywall compound and sand it down until it’s nice and smooth. Make sure subflooring has been addressed and is ready for the flooring you picked out in the planning process. (You did remember to pick new flooring, didn’t you?)
Step 9: Handle the Details
Okay, the drywall is up, and your house is looking more like home. Now, to handle the finer details. Well, maybe they’re not super fine details!
Install the flooring, cabinetry, molding, trim, baseboards, and doors in your newly renovated space. Try to save the delicate trim and molding for very last, so it’s not damaged while you’re installing other components.
Break out your paint trays and rollers and get to work painting those new shades! Oh, but don’t forget to prime the walls, first and foremost! And if you have any wallpaper picked out, time to slap that onto the walls.
Step 10: Add the Finishing Touches
Now you can start to channel your inner Joanna Gaines! Move your new furniture in, install hardware, and send in the accent pieces. Hang new photos on the walls, put up your backsplashes, install new lighting fixtures, and don’t forget your throw pillows! And when it’s all said and done, don’t forget to sit back, relax, and soak in the reward of your hard work. Enjoy your revised home!
