Living in a Home Undergoing Renovation

You've decided to renovate and "Everything" is now in place - plans, specifications, work schedule, appropriate financial arrangement, and selection of a good qualified renovator.

All is well? Or is it!

Many things that are perfectly planned today can go wrong tomorrow. Materials may not arrive as ordered. Sub-trades may not be available on exactly the day they are needed. There may be structural changes needed (that were not anticipated) after discovering the existing framing methods once a wall is opened up.

What should you do?

• Anticipate that "Murphy's Law" is alive and well.

• Make the whole family realize that they will have others in their lives for a period of time. There will be dust, noise, and also a lack of privacy. You may, at times, feel like you've been violated. A professional renovator will respect your feelings and will minimize the impact on your life as much as possible.

• Choose a renovator that is a member of the Canadian Home Builders' Association. Check his WCB registration; check with his suppliers to be sure he pays his bills; check with the Better Business Bureau, and obtain references and then call the references; (often people don't call the references).

• Communication - it is very important that it be both ways - be certain your renovator informs you daily of what is taking place and always call your renovator when you feel something is not quite right. Leaving little things until the end makes them far more difficult to correct if it is required.

• Try to keep changes to a minimum - changes at the drawing stage are easy; changes at the footing stage are OK too, changes at the framing stage get more difficult; changes at finishing stage become expensive (but not impossible).

• A renovator that is friendly, competent and fair will make your renovation a joy rather that a nightmare. It also doesn't hurt to be friendly towards the workmen: coffee, warm cinnamon buns, apple pie and ice cream will generally receive great appreciation.

• Move into your new space - get comfortable with it for a period of time. Spaces that looked adequate in a drawing may seem cramped at the beginning; on the other hand, spaces sometimes feel much larger than original thought until furnishings, wall and window covering are installed, plants are added or floor coverings are completed.

• Above all, maintain a good sense of humor and expect it to take longer than anticipated. [Return to Homeowners Guide]

• © Copyright 2006 Sutton Group Financial Services Ltd.