Home renovations: Coping with the chaos

Home renovations: Coping with the chaos
24 November 2006

No matter how well executed they are, home renovations are bound to upset
your daily routine, and unless you are well prepared for the disruption it
can really sour your appreciation of the finished project.

Dr Piet Botha, chairman of Nationlink estate agency group, says that
whatever the reason for their renovation - to modernise the home, to
increase the value of the property or perhaps to create more living
space -
homeowners who focus on the anticipated benefit tend to cope better than
those who can't see beyond the chaos that almost inevitably accompanies
building projects.

And to achieve this focus, he says, it really pays to spend extra time
planning the project and double-checking the process. "Things can quickly
spiral out of control if every detail is not carefully mapped out. For
example, the homeowner needs to ensure that all the materials needed have
been listed and ordered, and that they will be delivered on time so that
the
project can go ahead without delays."

"In addition, homeowners who want to keep their cool should think through
which areas of their home are likely to be affected by the renovation, and
what they can do to minimise non-essential 'traffic' in these areas as
well
as mess.

"It is also important to cover your furniture to protect it against the
dust
from all the work taking place. Precious items can also easily get chipped
or broken when there are heavy duty tools being used so any breakables
should be removed from the renovation area."

More.

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Botha points out that the rooms most frequently renovated are kitchens and
bathrooms, and that those who are remodelling these essential living
spaces
need to think ahead about where they will eat or prepare food while the
new
countertops or appliances are being fitted, or where to shower and clean
their teeth while workmen install their new bathroom suite.

"Homeowners also need to plan ahead for scenarios where they will be
without
water or electricity. In fact if the renovations are comprehensive, then
it
may be best to move out for a while - to a B&B or perhaps even a rented
property, depending on the time the project will take.

"Indeed this may be your only option if you have small children, as from a
safety point of view it is essential that they be kept out of the way of
work in progress or materials and tools which may be lying around."

And finally, says Botha, if you really want peace of mind about a
renovation, you should make it a rule never, ever to pay a contractor in
advance for anything. "If it's material, it should be delivered to your
home
before you pay for it, and if it's labour, don't pay until the project or
an
agreed part of the project has been completed to your absolute
satisfaction."