When doing renovations in your Hawaii home, the last thing you want is to stumble upon unexpected issues that drive up your costs. While it is not possible to completely eliminate the possibility of having a few surprises, there are a few steps that you can take to help reduce the risk.
Paint and Supplies
You can save a significant amount of money if you paint your interior rather than higher a professional. In addition, applying a new color of paint is one quick and easy way to give your home a facelift. At the same time, be sure to plan for a budget to purchase more paint than you anticipate. Often, homeowners severely underestimate the amount of paint that it will take to adequately cover the walls and ceilings while creating the final look that they want. So, if you think it will take only two cans of paint to get the job done, you might want to budget for four just in case. If you have money leftover, treat yourself to a nice meal at your favorite restaurant or set it aside to help pay for your next renovation project!
Repairing Damage
When ripping up floors or tearing out walls, you need to always be prepared for the possibility of encountering some sort of damage. In a bathroom or kitchen, for example, you may uncover water damage as you tear up the floor or break down walls. You may also uncover termite damage or maybe simply shoddy workmanship. Clearly, these issues cannot be ignored as you work toward creating your own space. Therefore, it is a good idea to pad your budget to pay for the extra costs that you might uncover as you engage in this type of renovation project.
Contractor Issues
If you are hiring a contractor to do all or some of your renovations, you need to be mentally prepared for the job to take longer than estimated. Even the best contractors may find themselves running into problems that slow down their work process. Of course, you can help reduce the risk of hiring an unreliable contractor by being sure to do your homework before hiring someone new. Check for references and certification before you give anyone a deposit. Even then, however, you need to realize that the project will likely take longer than anticipated, so don’t plan a big “reveal” party for immediately after the quoted finish date. Otherwise, you may have quite the mess on your hands when your guests arrive!
Cleaning Up
Speaking of messes, home renovations are messy. Therefore, you also need to include the cost of cleanup in your budget. If you are tearing out large chunks of your home, you may need to rent a dumpster, which can cost hundreds of dollars. You will also likely need to purchase additional cleaning supplies to clean up all of the dirt and dust that is left behind. You may also find yourself needing to do laundry more frequently, so be sure to include these costs when planning out your budget.
