Having your home remodeled, or custom built from scratch, can be incredibly exciting. You come up with a vision, agree on a design, and let the builders do the physical work. But it can also be incredibly stressful, and construction inherently comes with risks and complications. From delays and long build times, to unforeseen issues with the property, many problems can arise. The only thing you can do to mitigate these risks is to do as much research as possible, and be prepared for anything.
Keep reading to find out 3 tips to ensure a smooth and safe home renovation.
Hire Reputable, Licensed Builders
This may sound like an obvious step, but finding the right builders can be harder than you’d think. Even if you find a team who you feel are ethical and trustworthy, you still need to make sure that they’re licensed and have good reviews from other clients. You’ll want to know that if something goes wrong, these are the types of professionals who own up to their mistakes and back their work.
One of the reasons this step is so important is because builders need to adhere to certain codes. Every state has codes that builders are required to follow to ensure structural safety for the property residents.
Stay Informed
The more you know about home renovations, and specifically the ones happening to your house, the better off you’ll be. First, familiarize yourself with some of the issues that can arise during or after construction. For example, mold – what causes mold?
A few things can contribute to the growth of mold, most commonly a combination of moisture, temperature, and oxygen. Mold often grows in bathrooms, such as in the walls behind a leaky toilet or tub. If the moisture cannot properly drain, mold will likely begin growing. For those unfamiliar with mold, they may notice it much later, giving it a chance to spread. By knowing what to look for – damp walls, dark spots, or a musty smell – you can catch the problem as early as possible.
Quality Control
The smartest thing to do after having construction done on your house is to have it inspected. A licensed home inspector or engineer can determine whether there are any risks from the construction. If you have an inspector come over, walk around the house as they do their work and take detailed notes.
If your inspector finds issues, or you notice them on your own, you’re probably wondering what your next steps are. Ideally, if you found a reputable builder, they will stand by their work and come back to fix any issues. Unfortunately, this won’t always happen. There are always going to be developers who try and avoid the issue. This is when a lawyer can be your best friend, and fight the battle on your behalf. Construction defect lawyers like The Freeman Law Firm, P.C. will make sure the responsible party – most likely the developer or construction company – will be held responsible. This usually ends in the home owner receiving compensation to have the issues fixed. However, by following the steps above, you can ideally avoid a lawsuit.