Renovating sounds like a fairly straightforward task when you start planning. It actually sounds fun, doesn’t it? A few changes here, a few upgrades there. A few splashes of paint, a little scrub and polish. It’s all fun and games
It isn’t until you actually pick up the tools and put on the gloves that you realize how challenging the process can be. Numerous unexpected problems can increase the cost as well as the time involved in the renovation. They can compromise the entire process and make you reconsider the entire decision to give your home a new face.
Don’t worry! The more you are prepared for the dares, the higher your chances of success. Otherwise, you will get too frustrated and quit before any real renovation happens. To help you prepare better, we will discuss six major challenges you can face while renovating your home.
Let’s start with the first and most common challenge:
Plumbing and Electricity
Good luck keeping your focus on the aesthetics!
Once you start ripping a few pieces apart to prepare your home for a makeover, you realize that there is a lot that needs to be taken care of from the inside. In older buildings, outdated plumbing and electricity can be extremely problematic. While electric wires can be replaced with newer and better ones, bad plumbing can have a deeper impact.
Leaking pipes that go unnoticed for too long because there is no visible dripping among the leads give moulds a room to make their colony. Once you discover bad plumbing and leaking pipes, you will have to put everything else on hold to deal with mould.
If the building was built more than 50 years ago, it is best to change the electric wires even if they seem fine. The older ones weren’t designed for the excessive load of modern appliances.
The Foundation
It is worth noting that the construction industry has seen tremendous advancements in the last 50 years. The material used back in the days wasn’t as strong as it is today. Many engineering updates have also allowed us to make buildings more efficiently than before. It is why older buildings often tend to have a foundation that can’t stand the test of time.
It is not unusual for homeowners to discover cracks in the foundation while renovating a home. Cracked foundations aren’t just a risk to the structural integrity of a building; they also lead to various other hazards as well. They are the known culprit behind a higher radon rating around the house. It is a carcinogenic radioactive gas commonly found in old buildings.
If you discover cracks in the foundation, you will have to call in a professional for proper sealing before you move on with the renovation.
Too Much Waste
An important part of the renovation process involves throwing out a lot of items that don’t look good or don’t serve their purpose well. That is a lot of waste. Many such items aren’t even recyclable and have a horrible carbon footprint. As we are moving towards a greener future and eco-friendly housing, this can be a big challenge for homeowners considering renovations.
This is why we always recommend upcycling whenever you can’t recycle. Upcycle is creative and interesting. You can use innovative ideas to turn an old item into a better and functional new item. You can upcycle anything from your car tires to your old window frame. There is no limit to how innovative you can be.
Bug Infestation
It is during the renovation that many people realize what has been bugging them for days. Infestations often go unnoticed for months, even years. However, once discovered, you need to take care of the problem before it grows out of control. You need to put the renovation process on hold and get your hands on bug killer sprays.
When choosing a bug spray, you need to be very careful about any long-term effect it can have on your home and your health. Many commercial products have tonnes of harmful chemicals that lurk in the air for a long time. These toxins get into our body through our nose and mouth and can slowly cause many health issues such as irritation and infections.
Compliance
In order to make homes safer and more environment-friendly, the building codes are constantly changing. Buildings built before the 60s are least likely to comply with those codes. This means there is a constant risk of violation that can ultimately lead to many penalties.
When you start the renovation, you realize how many codes there are to follow and how many upgrades your home will require to fully comply with the current building code in your area. This may seem like a nuisance, but you need to understand that those codes are in your best in place. They are created to keep you from various health and safety risks.
The Contractor
DIY sounds fun, but an expert can help you save more time and money. They are well aware of the challenges and risks and hence prepared. That said, finding a reliable contractor is a challenge in itself. Many renovation projects go down the drain because of either the DIYs or contractors with no proper license or experience.
The best way to find a good contractor is to look for reviews and recommendations. Ask your friend and family for a referral. Read online reviews and talk to the contractor before you make your final decision. A trustworthy contractor will make you forget about all the challenges.
Conclusion
Don’t get too overwhelmed by the challenges you face while renovating your home. Most of these challenges occur when the building isn’t strong or safe enough, and you need to ensure strength and safety before you can work on the aesthetic aspects of the renovation process. Challenges are inevitable, and once you are able to overcome them, the renovation will be truly rewarding.
