Home Renovations

With the current cost of housing, the desire to find exactly what you want can be challenging at best, frustrating at worst. If you’re on the verge of giving up, don’t. There is the option of purchasing a home that ‘will do’ and renovating it over time to suit your needs.

The Wish List

As with all major expenses, create a ‘wish list’. Do you eventually want an equal number of bathrooms to bedrooms? How about a larger laundry area? Is there ‘room’ to make more room in the kitchen? These are serious aspects for consideration. Other less technical aspects would be repainting the home to create a different feel for each room. Be careful though: this ‘simple’ project could become continuous. More vibrant colours can lead to the need for more vibrant furniture, new lighting fixtures or a change of appliances etc.

When contemplating a major remodelling, apart from determining what it will cost, when will it start and how long it will take to be completed, a very important consideration is how much the work will add to the value of the home. Some experts say that remodelling the kitchen is the most popular home improvement project as it adds almost instant increased value and equity to the home. Some renovations however, can price the home out of the neighbourhood, given the current prices in the market and where the home is located.

It is also very important to know that changing the structure of the home will require getting a permit from the Parish Council – the local regulatory body. Oftentimes, construction codes dictate building minimum distances from the road, minimum distances from the fence etc. and these must be adhered to. Also, some communities may have restrictive covenants that limit the types of modifications that can be done.

The Search

Apart from checking the newspapers and realtors, paying attention to auction notices can be worth the while as well. However, auctioned homes can be very costly ‘fixer-uppers’, so try to get as much information on the condition of the unit before bidding. Also, seek the advice of industry professionals such as structural and electrical engineers, architects etc, lest the re-plumbing leads to the re-wiring, which leads to…and the list goes on.

In the search for reputable experts, don’t be reluctant to ask even just acquaintances for recommendations, especially if you know that they’ve recently done some work on their homes. And never go with just the first estimate, get a second and even perhaps a third.

Some Simple Renovating Ideas

• Repainting the rooms with different colours
• Adding/changing moulding or skirting strips
• Changing closet shelves and doors
• Replacing/adding lighting fixtures
• Changing doors and framing windows

Expectations

Once you have decided what needs to be done, what approximate costs are associated with each and consequently which area to tackle first, there are several other important issues that you should be aware of before construction begins.

Larger projects, such as room additions, may change the living conditions in your home for the duration of the project. While some of the changes may only be minor inconveniences, you should know beforehand the problems you may encounter when the renovation begins.

Be mindful of the fact that with every renovation, the home becomes transformed into a ‘construction zone’. Expect inconveniences. Workers will be coming in and out of your home, dust will settle, most likely throughout the house and the access to other rooms may be limited, especially if materials and equipment have to be stored inside while the project takes place.

The most important thing to remember is that quality takes time. This may mean waiting an extra day or two for special order materials, or waiting for a particular specialist (such as an electrician) that you know is reliable. While delaying construction for a couple extra days is not an easy thing to do, ensuring that the project is completed to your total satisfaction will be worth it in the end.

Murphy’s Law

And of course, there is also the fact that even the best made plans can become unraveled. No matter how well you and your electrician/plumber/carpenter etc. plan your construction project, chances are there may be a conflict along the way. Oftentimes, the weather may delay construction or on occasion, a shipment of the materials may not arrive on time. Being aware that problems like delays and weather conditions are a possibility means you will be better prepared if they occur.

Being prepared for such inconveniences also means not finding the renovation as problematic or irritating as the homeowner who plans to continue living as if nothing is taking place in the home. The best way to prepare for and limit stress during the project is to talk with your contractor: knowing exactly what will be taking place during construction can help settle some of the concerns you may have.

For individuals considering renovating, home improvement loans are available from Scotia Jamaica Building Society. Loans are also available for the purchase of a home, lot, build on own land and mortgage refinancing. Visit our link at www.scotiabank.com.jm for further information or email us at sjbsgen@scotiabank.com.

Originally Written for & Published by the Jamaica Real Estate Guide: July 2006