10 Things To Expect During Your Home Renovation

10 Feb 10 Things To Expect During Your Home Renovation

You’ve secured your renovation permits and finalized your renovation designs, hired a contractor and are ready for work to start. But what should you really expect from your home renovation in Vancouver or the Lower Mainland?

Preparing for a renovation takes time and a ton of planning. Even then, things can go wrong. Homeowners doing home renovations will need to have high expectations for the finished work, all while keeping in mind that many renovations don’t go according to plan – surprises and mistakes are common, but they don’t mean that renovating isn’t worthwhile.

Here are 10 things to expect for your renovation on your Vancouver-area home.

1. Things will change. From the moment you start dreaming of your home renovation designs and spending excessive time on Pinterest, curating ideas for your home, expect that any and all of your plans could change. From opulent finishes that may not fit within your budget to kitchen layouts that simply don’t work with your home, flexibility is your key to a stress-free renovation process.

2. Plans from a renovation designer will be your best friend. Trusting an expert to help you plan your renovation can save you from a ton of hassle and unexpected costs. A Vancouver renovation designer like Draft On Site Services can create a functional flow and optimize the usable space for your renovation, so your plans are the right way. We also create renovation permit drawings so your renovation doesn’t bring along city bylaw fines. Making it up as you go will usually cost more in do-overs and miscalculations than a designer’s cost, not to mention the potential cost of time and money for knocking down walls without a permit.

3. You’ll face unexpected surprises. In any renovation, surprises can occur. Homeowners sometimes discover asbestos, leaky pipes and botched electrical systems when walls and flooring come out.

4. And unexpected costs. Those unexpected surprises mean unexpected costs. Your renovation budget should leave room for several thousand dollars of “just in case” money. Working with a professional renovation designer like Draft On Site and a reputable contractor can help you create a realistic budget that leaves room for the unexpected costs that might arise.

5. In fact, costs for Vancouver renovations per square foot have increased drastically in the past decade. From materials to labour and everything in between, a realistic budget is a must. Get quotes from several contractors and ask for references. You’ll want to know what’s included in your quote and what isn’t. And you’ll definitely want to work with a reputable contractor and renovation design company.

6. You’ll need to check once, then double and triple-check. Always. It should be your mantra, every step of the way.

7. You’ll make lots of little decisions and a few big ones along the way. From where to place outlets, to the finish on your kitchen hardware, you’ll have tons of small decisions to make as your home renovation progresses. And, when those surprises pop up, be prepared to decide (with the help of a professional) how to deal with the unexpected – on the fly.

8. Noise and dirt are a harsh reality. Your home will be full of it. Many families opt to stay with friends or family while work is underway, or even move to a hotel, during large renos. For kitchen renovations or smaller projects, living with the inconvenience is a small price to pay for the rewards at the end. Get to know the City’s construction noise bylaws.

9. Some aspects of your reno will turn out better than expected. Despite the bumps and stresses along the way, you’re sure to be thrilled with how the details of your renovation turn out, especially if the project was planned right. It’s one of the rewards of the hard work you put in!

10. When it’s all over, you’ll end up with a home that feels like new. That’s the greatest reward – having a gorgeous space that looks like new, but feels like home, to share with the people you love. And maybe you can brag about it, too.