Renovating a Home
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Posted On :
May-27-2010
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Article Word Count :
513
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For reasons yet to be explained by modern science, the buying and selling of homes gives rise to an abundance of sayings that purport to guide the parties through a complicated process.
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For reasons yet to be explained by modern science, the buying and selling of homes gives rise to an abundance of sayings that purport to guide the parties through a complicated process. Of all the wisdom imparted by estate agents and property experts, one adage has stood the test of time. It tells the buyer to purchase the home that is "the worst house in the best location." Of course, putting that advice into practice may lead to buying a home that needs major renovation.
When renovations are in order, the new home owner faces some decisions before work begins.
First is the question of whether to move in while the work is being done. Of course, this decision may not be the home owner’s to make if the house is uninhabitable according to the minimum habitability standards of building authorities. At the other extreme, the homeowner may be forced to live in the midst of renovations simply because there is no other place to go.
If the plan is to occupy the house while renovating, it pays to know what to expect. Living in a construction site can be a daunting prospect. A parade of workmen arrive at hours dictated by their own schedule. The work can often be intrusive, messy, noisy, and very dusty. Parts of the home may need to be sealed off from the living space, especially if there are children in the house. Dangerous tools and exposed electrical wiring need to be secured. Privacy is compromised, quiet is rare and cleanliness can be next to impossible. Even in the best case, home renovation is notoriously stressful for the home owner. Living in the middle of the renovation only compounds the stress.
Next, the home owner must decide who will do the work. While many people will opt to do some of the work themselves, either as a personal preference or as a cost-saving measure, some jobs call for special qualifications. Structural alterations may need engineering oversight. Plumbing and heating work require special expertise and equipment. Some jobs, like gas fitting, must by law be done by certified individuals and the home owner's role is limited to pick a home gas supplier.
Even if the hands-on work is left entirely to the professionals, planning and coordinating a major renovation is an undertaking akin to planning a battle. Each job depends on the timely completion of the previous job, requiring coordination among carpenters, plumbers, roofers, electricians, painters and energy suppliers. Electrical work and plumbing must await the completion of rough carpentry. Walls cannot be finished until the electrician is done. Each job fits into its specific slot in the grand plan, and scheduling mistakes can add delay and considerable expense to the project.
Unless the home owner fully understands the construction process, hiring a competent project manager may more than pay for itself. If nothing else, it should help to minimize the time spent living in a construction site if the home owner has chosen to give that option a try.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Renovating a Home_20202.aspx
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Author Resource :
The author has regularly written on issues around home energy in the UK, for both this and other sites across the internet.
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Keywords :
home energy ,
Category :
Business
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Home Based Business
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