If you’re living in Liverpool, you know that the city is constantly changing. With new developments popping up all the time, it can be tempting to renovate your home to keep up with the Joneses.
However, before you start tearing down walls or ripping up floors, there are a few things you should consider. Here are 12 of the biggest renovation mistakes homeowners in Liverpool make:
1. Not Getting Permits
Before you start any major renovations, you need to make sure you have the proper permits in place. If you don’t, you could face hefty fines from the city.
If you’re looking to get a permit, the first step is to contact your local planning office. They will be able to tell you what type of permit you need and help you through the application process.
2. Not Hiring a Registered Contractor
There are a lot of unregistered contractors operating in Liverpool. While they may be cheaper, they may also cut corners on the work they do. This can lead to subpar workmanship and potentially dangerous situations.
Before you hire anyone to work on your home, make sure they are registered with the city. You can find a list of registered contractors on the city’s website.
3. Starting Work Without a Plan
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when renovating your home is starting work without a plan. You need to know what you want to achieve with your renovation and how you’re going to do it.
If you don’t have a plan, you could end up spending a lot of money on unnecessary work. Plus, you may not be happy with the final result.
4. Not Preparing for Disruption
Renovations can be disruptive, both to your daily routine and to your neighbours. Before you start work, make sure you’re prepared for the disruption.
Talk to your neighbours and let them know what work will be taking place and when. If possible, try to schedule the noisiest work for times when they won’t be home.
5. Not Finding the Right Tools
If you’re planning on doing some of the work yourself, you need to make sure you have the proper hand tools. Otherwise, you could end up damaging your home or causing injury to yourself.
If you’re not sure what tools you need, ask a registered contractor. They will be able to advise you on what to get and where to get it.
6. Not Knowing What You Can and Can’t Do Yourself
Just because you have the right tools doesn’t mean you should do the work yourself. There are some jobs that are best left to professionals.
If you’re not sure whether or not you can do a job yourself, ask a registered contractor. They will be able to give you advice on what you can and can’t do.
7. Doing Work That Doesn’t Add Value
Before you start any work, you need to think about whether or not it will add value to your home. Some renovations, such as installing a new kitchen, will add significant value. Others, such as painting the walls, may not make much difference.
If you’re not sure whether a renovation will add value to your home, ask a real estate agent. They will be able to give you advice on which renovations are most likely to pay off.
8. Not Considering the Cost of Materials
When you’re planning your budget, don’t forget to factor in the cost of materials. The price of lumber and other construction materials has been rising in recent years, so you need to make sure you factor that into your budget.
If you’re not sure how much materials will cost, ask a registered contractor. They will be able to give you an estimate of the cost of materials.
9. Not Taking Into Account the Cost of Labour
In addition to the cost of materials, you also need to factor in the cost of labour. Registered contractors charge by the hour, so you need to make sure you factor that into your budget.
If you’re not sure how much labour will cost, ask a registered contractor. They will be able to give you an estimate of the cost of labour.
10. Not Factoring in Debris Removal
When you’re renovating your home, there’s going to be a lot of debris. You need to make sure you factor in the cost of disposing of that debris.
If you’re not sure how much debris removal will cost, ask a registered contractor. They will be able to give you an estimate of the cost of debris removal.
11. Not Having Enough Insurance
If you’re planning on doing any work yourself, you need to make sure you have enough insurance to cover any damage that you may cause. If you don’t have enough insurance, you could end up being liable for any damage that you cause.
Before you start any work, talk to your insurance agent and make sure you have the right coverage.
