If you’ve been dreaming about remodeling your house for years and you’re finally ready to start some of the projects on your list, it is essential to have a plan before you begin. You should, for example, determine what your budget is before purchasing any supplies or hiring a contractor to do any work for you. As you’re figuring out how much you can afford to spend, it’s a good idea to build in a contingency fund for unanticipated expenses.
Experts often recommend adding about twenty percent of your total remodeling budget to an account that is earmarked for unexpected occurrences. Very few residential renovations go completely according to plan! In this guide, you will learn about a few issues you and your contractor should be on the lookout for as your home improvement project gets underway.
The presence of lead paint – While lead paint isn’t used in today’s houses, Carolina homes that were constructed prior to 1978 probably have lead-based paint somewhere in them. Even if your older residence has not been renovated since the 1970s, there very well might be lead paint lurking in infrequently used spaces or even underneath new layers of paint. If lead paint is discovered, you and your contractor will need to have a conversation about how to handle the situation.
The course of action you take will depend somewhat upon the regulations in your city or town. Certain municipalities require lead paint to be moved, while others allow homeowners to simply sign-off on the fact that they understand the dangers of keeping this type of paint in their homes. If you don’t know the guidelines in your Carolina city, your contractor will.
The presence of asbestos – Asbestos, like lead paint, has been banned for use in home construction for decades. It is, however, still present in some ceiling tiles, walls, flooring materials, and siding boards in older houses. If asbestos fibers are found in your home, you will likely need to have it removed by an expert team. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and disturbing the tissues can lead to inhalation within a matter of minutes. Most municipalities require the removal of asbestos-based materials from homes, but, as with lead paint, some have more lenient regulations, specifically, if the existing asbestos isn’t going to be touched during the upcoming remodeling project.
The presence of mold – Most homeowners think they would know if their houses were infested with mold, but this isn’t always the case. Not all mold growth is visible. As your renovation job commences, hidden mold may be discovered underneath floorboards or behind drywall. If this occurs, you need to have an expert assess the situation. Mold can cause serious health problems and can negatively impact the structural integrity of your home, so it is imperative to have it removed as quickly as possible, so your remodel can continue on schedule.
These are just a few of the issues that can occur during a home renovation. As long as you’re working with a reputable Charlotte, NC general contractor, you have nothing to worry about! The team doing the work in your house will let you know whenever any problems crop up. All you need to do is make sure you’ve already set aside money to cover potential expenses. Best of luck with your upcoming renovation!