No matter what anyone says, remodeling is NOT easy!
Coming up with the design ideas alone can be time consuming while organizing the project itself is downright painful to the head. Even if you are remodeling a room or a house, sometimes the work criteria is the same and tasks mutual and crucially important, especially those which will take a lot more time and thinking. What are they and how do you NOT mess them up? Well, here they are:
1) Windows and exterior doors:
That duo never fails to make us struggle, do they? As they come in a variety of materials and colors, with different hardware styles and varying lead times, they can make you wait two to ten weeks. After your contractor has installed your windows only then will the exterior trim and siding be ready to go up.
Try your best to make sure you have selected the brand and ordered at least two to three weeks ahead of that ordering deadline because you never know; it might delay the entire remodeling process.
2) Cabinets:
Cabinets will also play a huge role when it comes to the remodeling of your home. Flooring, tile and countertop installations are kind of one after the other to the casework in kitchens and baths. Try to order them as soon as possible as it will require you to choose multiple layers of design, layout of the room, function of doors etc.
Try to narrow down the wood species and general style of the cabinets early so that the biggest burden is off your shoulders. Keep one thing always in mind: Lead time is very important, especially in cases such as windows and cabinets as these might halt your entire remodeling process.
3) Plumbing Fixtures:
As plumbing fixtures are easy to get on time nowadays, you might feel like arranging them last minute. Do not. Some of the manufacturers do take time so try to get your shower valves and bathtubs lined up as soon as you can. The rest of the fixture can come later in the remodeling process. However, if you’re using stone or another solid-surface counter that has an under-mount sink then you have to have the sink and faucet right on time too! And why the delay when you can do it earlier, removing one more variable?
4) Tile:
Hmmm, why am I not surprised? These materials are just not there only for aesthetics, they also need to function properly. And for that, you must select everything correctly to make sure there are no difficulties during the remodeling. Consult your architect if needed rather than taking the risk. As the dimensions and colors need to be perfect, try to get a sample piece beforehand from the tile supplier so that you can recheck whether it’s the right one that is being delivered.
5) Flooring:
What is more important than the base? A definitive flooring decision plays a huge role to the other factors too such as the carpentry work. As flooring materials such as wood and Marmoleum has a lead time, try to order it soon. Remember to allow your flooring to acclimate to your home before installing. With adjustment of ambient temperature and humidity in the house, a lack of it will cause expansion and contraction, leading to gaps in the flooring.
So as you can see, once you get the contractor to “plane” out the surfaces, lead times will not be an issue. That’s another burden out the now-efficiently-installed windows!
Do you agree with our ways prevent These 5 Remodeling Monkey Wrenches? Maybe you disagree with us? Maybe you have questions about a remodeling project that is already under way? Leave us a Comment and get the conversation started! I will guarantee if you fail to plan, then you better plan to fail!
