Considerations When Remolding a House

Top ten things to consider when remolding a house

1. Don't try to knock it all out at once - During these tough financial times, more then ever it is important to take every task piece by piece. I know it is hard not to immediately jump in and remodel but you can save money and feel more accomplishment remodeling one room at a time. Work on the master bathroom first, and then move to the kitchen, then next to the guest bathroom. Give your self a couple months for each project, have fun, and feel the sense of accomplishment when each room is finished. By doing this you can tackle the whole house without tackling your pocket book and sanity.

2. Ask for help if you need it - Lets face it, we all aren't the best at fixing things. Some of us have a natural knack for it, but I know there are days when the instruction manual looks like it was in a different language. These are the days when you need to ask for professional help. Call a plumber to fix that shower you have been trying to get to work; however, don't be afraid to jump in with questions and comments regarding the work and placement as that is why you are paying them. Remember the internet can always be a valuable place to find Buying Guides, How to Guides, How to Videos, and general Learning Center content for installations and remodels.

3. Rough in Valves - So many people forget to think about the rough in valve (the piece that connects your trim to your plumbing) and purchase a beautiful new trim for their shower only to realize it will not fit the valve they have. If the valve doesn't fit then you normally have to open the wall and cut the valve to solder a new one on. This is very time consuming and costly, so it is better to just select a trim that works with the valve you already have installed then spend 500 dollars to realize it will not work.

4. Efficiency is key to saving money - Within the last ten years the push to "go green" has been very popular in the United States, however many people don't realize that going green has many other benefits such as saving lots of money in the long run, while also helping the environment.

5. Measurements - I don't know how many times I have helped customers that need to returns items because they believed that a shower door that is 58 ½" will fit in a spot that is 57 1/2" max. The same goes for faucet configurations. If the faucet holes are around 5" on center then they will not condense to 4" centers, you would need to consider a faucet that has an adjustable spread so you can make it fit whatever holes you currently have. When remodeling a home one of the most important things you can realize is that measurements need to be precise, this will save you a lot of headache, not to mention returns, and will help you make the most of your time.

6. Don't forget the accessories - Many products require additional items for a full installation. Forgetting these additional items can lead to faulty products and unfinished work. Below is a list of products that normally require additional items for installation.
     a. Bathroom Faucets - Require a drain, if the faucet does not come with one.
     b. Bathroom Sinks - Require a p trap to go from the drain to the plumbing.
     c. Shower Trim - Require a rough in valve to connect to the plumbing.
     d. Tankless Water Heaters - If they are gas units they require venting.

7. Consider The Placement - New ceiling fan and light combos can be beautiful, but if you don't consider the installation and the amount of light it will give off, then you could finish installing a light only to realize it doesn't completely light up the room. The same goes for other accessories. Soap dispensers, tooth brush holders, and towel racks all require consideration as there is a good chance that where they are in stalled now is where they will be sitting for a long time, so make sure it is exactly where you want.

8. Take Your Time - Don't just decide you want to remodel the house then immediately buy all of the items for it. Consider what features you want as well as the finish you want, then wait for a little while and make sure that is still the finish you want! So many times people decide on one thing then turn around and go with something else once everything is purchased. You will save yourself a lot of headache if you just make sure the items you are going to purchase are the ones you are going to want for years to come. Besides, what's an extra day in putting off that bathroom remodel to make sure you get it right!

9. Creativity is Key - In the past it was custom to select a normal faucet and a normal sink or shower. However, innovation is the key in modern plumbing so think outside the box and consider something you may not have considered before. This can help you build a beautiful room without even costing much extra. Some things to consider would be: a vessel sink, a wall mount faucet, a rain drop showerhead, a faucet with a pull out spout, or my personal favorite Delta's new touch2O touch sensor kitchen faucet. Adding an item you might not have considered before can add flare to your new room and leave your friends wondering where you were able to find something like that.

10. Consider Resale Value - Are you installing features that people want, or when you leave the house will they want to take it out. A friend of mine has a big house but lots of family is currently living in it. He was looking for a place to put an office since all of the rooms were taken and decided to install it in the walk in closet of his bedroom as there was no where else for it to go. Now while that is the perfect solution for him, you have to assume that the next person that buys the house will not want to have an office in their walk in closet. This investment will not be great for the resale value of the house as the owner may have to take it out again before they put it on the market. This is not the same for remodeling a new bathroom or installing a tankless water heater, as these items generally raise the resale value of the house.

Now that you have read these steps, stop putting off that renovation! It may not be easy but it will be worth it in the end! If you need more detailed information on these and other tasks visit our Learning Center.

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