A lot of home improvement plans take a long time to fully realize. It starts as an idea, a niggle in the back of your head, one that lays seeds and grows. By the time you’re ready to take the plunge, you want it done as quickly as possible. The remodel idea has been living in your head for a long time now—you’re ready to see it in action. Whether this is your first time tackling a home improvement project or you’re a remodeling pro, it’s a good idea to have some remodeling expectations laid out to prevent discouragement along the way.
We’ll start by addressing the elephant in the room. Our not-so-good friend Covid isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The pandemic’s impact continues to have a global impact, the sort that results in material and labor shortages, which just proves that life’s ironic, seeing as the pandemic also led to a boom in the home improvement industry. This is compacted by the fact that, in the United States, a shortage of tradespeople is an issue that predates the pandemic, going back as far as 2018.
So, materials are hard to come by, and because of supply and demand, the price for materials has dramatically increased. Be prepared to both wait longer and pay more, and the nature of things being what they are, there’s no telling how long that will last. As such, it is important to remember that material costs and delays are completely out of the hands of material suppliers and laborers. They find the situation just as frustrating as you do. Possibly more, because they’ll have to continue dealing with it well after your project is complete.
Okay, the elephant is acknowledged, fed, and out of the way. Beyond production complications due to Covid, here are some of the things you should prepare to experience with your remodeling project.
Remodeling Expectations for Dust
There will be dust, no matter what precautions are laid out. ZipWalls can help mitigate the amount of dust you’ll encounter, and an air filter can pull dust from the part of the house not currently undergoing construction. If you need to run your AC or your heater during this time, it’s a good idea to block the warm-air/cold-air returns in the construction zone, otherwise you’ll be pulling particles into the part of the home not undergoing any renovations.
Noise from Remodels
There will be, to put it mildly, a lot. Saws, sanders, nail guns, hammering—you get the gist. Unless your home is so large you can comfortably distance yourself from the racket, plan on being away while undergoing your remodel. If you have small children or pets who are home all day, be sure to make arrangements for them as well, as that much noise can cause a lot of stress.
Great Satisfaction About Your New Floors
Once you’ve decided you need new floors, you want it pretty much done immediately. There is nothing quite like seeing your home improvement project come to life.
Home Improvement Projects Will Test Your Patience
There will be a lot of questions to answer, checks to write, and not to mention a lot of people in your house. At some point, you will just want it all over with. That’s totally normal—as is the euphoria at the end of the project when you see the end result.
The Unexpected of Remodeling Expectations
It’s a cliché to expect the unexpected, but when you replace floors (or undertake any remodeling project), consider this an unspoken but universally acknowledged commandment. Whether there’s an issue with the framing, an unpleasant asbestos discovery, faulty wiring, or uncovered plumbing issues, something will inevitably come up that cause everyone pain—you, the contractor, and your bank account. Have some flexibility in your schedule and your budget to prepare for the things you can’t possibly know until the project is underway. And if you’re one of the lucky ones who manage to skate on by without the unexpected rearing its ugly head, bonus! You now have extra money.
Home Improvement Delays
We’ve already touched upon some of the delays and related issues you can expect right now thanks to the pandemic, but even in non-pandemic times, delays are part of the game. People get sick. The weather refuses to cooperate. Mechanical issues arise. Understanding that the project schedule is an estimate and being prepared for setbacks along the way will help avoid frustration.
While there will always be some measure of stress in your home improvement project, having an idea of what to expect before work begins can help mitigate the worst of it. Don’t hesitate to ask questions along the way, either. A good contractor will want you to be as prepared as possible, and so does Classic Wood Floors. Don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions regarding your new floors.