You are never to old to learn something new! This experience so far has taught me something new everyday. In this lull of activity, I thought it might be a good time to summarize 10 of the BIGGEST lessons or "things to do" I have learned thus far - lessons that maybe you can simply take at face value during your renovation and reap the benefits from, saving the pain of my lessons learned!
1. If you are rehabbing an old home - older than 1950, make sure you have a source for your brick and/or stone BEFORE starting the project. There are brick salvage yards and several custom manufacturers like Colonial Brick in Indiana who can help you. Without this sourced, you could experience weeks if not months of delays in your project!
2. Order Windows, bath fans and plumbing fixtures at the day of contract signing or permit acquisition. Have them delivered to your home or office so you have them ready on site and on time.
3. If your home has plaster ceilings, consider demo-ing those ceilings prior to construction start, especially if they are below the area you will be renovating!! If you don't demo them at the start, they may demo themselves during the process!!
4. Make clear lists for all of your mechanicals (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) - marking ALL locations, listing all desires and actually use that list to determine whether or not the mechanical sub contractors are complete and should receive payment. Typically, the mechanical sub contractors receive the first payment draw of 60% when they pass the rough in inspection, and the remaining 40% when the pass their final inspections. NEVER pay up front and NEVER pay until the first inspection has been passed.
5. Take pictures of ALL of your mechanical locations before sheet rock goes up. Take pictures of your plumbing, electrical and HVAC locations so that if there are every any troubles, you will know what is in the wall. Mark them on a site plan as well, but pictures will give you a better visual. It will save you lots of sheet rock patching costs down the road should something go wrong.
6. Have contractor trash bags readily handy on site at all times. I have found that if there is a trash bag on site, the trash - lunch, construction, & misc- miraculously finds it's way into the bags in stead of landing in my front yard bushes! Same goes for a broom that is handy. If there is a broom handy inside and out, the guys tend to sweep up after themselves! Without it, the debris is handled by the homeowner! Bags, brooms and shovels should ALWAYS be available.
7. Buy LOTS of water bottles and offer them to the workers each day. A bottle of water goes a long way to having sub contractors that enjoy working for you. Happy workers bring Happy results! I buy red bull and even pizza for the guys who work on Saturdays. Domino's has medium pizzas for $5 each if you buy 3 or more. What is $20 if it means having the results be perfect!!
8. When in doubt ASK. Your contractors are a wealth of knowledge. If there is something you want done, ask them if it is possible. Ask them the how tos and then find out the cost associated with doing it. My interior trim guy had the easiest and cheapest solution to our pocket door dilemma..I almost dint ask him and would have ordered the wrong hardware to get the quiet, solid door systems that we want!
9. Buy ONLINE. So far I have probably saved $3000 in fixtures, attic access stairs, bath fans, you name it, b simply buying on line. Many stores have free shipping and NO taxes! On my plumbing fixtures alone, I saved $2200. Most online supply shops also offer contractor discounts, so either set up your own account or ask your contractor to set one up and get an even deeper discount. Some of my favorite sites so far are www.homeclick.com, www.wamhomecenter.com, www.westsidewholesale.co, www.build.com and www.mrsupply.com.
10. Stock up on wine and beer! You will need a glass or bottle each night - if you are a non-drinker, find a vice that makes you happy!! And remember it will all be over soon!!!!
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