Home Planning & Renovations
NYC Renovation Tips
By Tiffany Smolick
Renovation Tips
Are you considering renovating a room in your home – or your entire home – on your own? In the era of the internet when you can find a how-to video on virtually anything with one visit to YouTube, many homeowners are choosing to take on home renovation projects solo.
If you’re planning to take on a home renovation project on your own, keep these tried and true renovation tips in mind as you formulate your plan of action:
Know Your Limits
There are plenty of things that you can accomplish with time and elbow grease. However, even the most independent do-it-yourselfers admit that there are some costs that must be endured during a renovation project. For example, rubbish removal can be a contentious issue for a homeowner looking to renovate in New York City. Construction waste is not covered by the city’s garbage removal, which means that in order to avoid hefty fines, you’ll have to bring in a private company to remove the waste you create during your renovation project. Most companies charge by the bag, and it’s a good idea to do your due diligence and research rates and reputations before singing up to work with anyone specific.
Appearances Matter – Nothing Else
Well, that isn’t entirely true. For many aspects of your home, you’re going to want solid construction and you’ll want to use materials that will be with you for the long haul. When it comes to decorative elements, however, sometimes the cheaper option is just as suitable as the more expensive one. For example, if you’re intending to install a window that links an interior space to another interior space simply for decoration and light filtration plastic may function just as well. Glass can be expensive and, of course, is breakable. When you’re considering the decorative elements in your space, try to be as economical as possible.
Think Outside of the Box
Once you know what types of materials you’re going to need — faucets, handles, doorknobs, light switches — open your mind about where you’re going to find them. Buying such items at high-end home improvement stores can do a number on your bank account. Meanwhile, many of the same items are available at a much lower cost at hardware stores. If you want to get really creative, you can even browse antique shops and garage sales. It’s always possible you may find a hidden treasure at a minuscule fraction of its retail cost.
Consider Your Own Needs
Many do-it-yourself home renovators think it’ll be a breeze to live in the home while a gut renovation is occurring. The truth is that you’re going to be creating a lot of dust, a lot of mess, and a lot of noise. If it is at all possible or you to do so, seasoned renovators highly recommend calling somewhere else home while you improve your residence. Living in an upturned place is annoying, can lead to respiratory issues, and can be disheartening. You need a place to go where you can feel like you can relax and where you won’t be focusing on all the work there is yet to do.
The team at MyHome US is here to help you with your renovation project in New York. Fill out this form, and we will be in touch!