When you\u2019re renovating your home, you already have a checklist of items to complete. And if you bought a fixer-upper, it\u2019s probably an extensive list. However, there are other tasks that you may not be thinking of right now, but incorporating them during your renovation may save you time, money and heartache down the road.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a list of tasks worth taking on during your renovation.<\/p>\n
Schedule your termite treatment<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re knocking down walls, treat for termites before new drywall goes up, advises Glen Ramsey, Entomologist for Orkin. \u201cTermites can hide within the walls, so once those walls are covered in fresh paint and art, termites are often out of sight and out of mind.\u201d<\/p>\n He also says that choosing the right materials can help to prevent pests. \u201cIt\u2019s best to use lumber that is pressure treated or composite, making it resistant to insects and decay.\u201d When selecting siding materials, you should also make sure that what you choose will be durable against pests long-term. \u201cWhile more expensive upfront, vinyl, stucco or other non-wood materials are the best selections. You should also ensure siding materials don\u2019t extend below grade at installation.\u201d<\/p>\n Upgrade your electrical<\/strong><\/p>\n If you have an older home, 60 to 100 amp service won\u2019t be sufficient with today\u2019s technology. \u201cSince you are hiring an electrician and pulling permits on your home, now is the best time to upgrade the main service and that old panel,\u201d advises Mark Luongo, Owner and Project Manager at Luongo Electric.<\/p>\n Breakers and panels have a lifespan of approximately 30 years. If your panel is older than that, you should, at the very least, have it assessed by a professional. \u201cNot only will a new panel ensure your home remains safe, but it will give you the extra space you need for all the new circuits you will be required to run for the renovation,\u201d Luongo says.<\/p>\n And while the walls are open, he also recommends replacing as much wiring as possible. \u201cBy upgrading the wiring, you ensure there are no nicks or potential short circuits hiding in the walls after you finish the renovation.\u201d<\/p>\n Plan your furniture layout<\/strong><\/p>\n It might seem like you\u2019re putting the cart before the horse to plan your furniture layout before you even finish your renovation, but it can actually save you some heartache in the future. \u201cYou\u2019re setting yourself up for using extension cords by not planning furniture layouts,\u201d warns Josh McCormick, VP of Operations at Mr. Electric.<\/p>\n \u201cFailing to do so may leave you with all your receptacles blocked by bookshelves, sofas or beds,\u201d McCormick says. \u201cIn addition, you may end up putting too great a load on one receptacle by using extension cords to get around poorly placed or too few receptacles.\u201d And improper extension cord use can result in both fire and tripping hazards.<\/p>\n Check your insulation<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWhile the home, or parts of it, are opened up, I would highly suggest checking the insulation and adding new insulation as needed,\u201d advises Nathan Outlaw, President of Onvico, a construction company in Thomasville, GA. \u201cMany older homes don\u2019t have adequate insulation and upgrading can help save on future energy costs.\u201d<\/p>\n Luongo agrees and explains that many older homes were framed with 2 x 4 exterior walls \u2013 and either were not insulated at all or were insulated poorly. \u201cWe recommend, at a minimum, building out your walls to a 6\u2033 depth and replacing the old insulation with new insulation.\u201d Plus, he says new insulation can also absorb sounds and help to stop fire from spreading.<\/p>\n Upgrade your plumbing pipes and drains<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re adding a new bathroom or renovating an existing one, you may be thinking of ways to incorporate the latest trends in bathroom technology. That\u2019s because your bathroom needs have probably changed. \u201cWe want hotter showers for longer, and a bathroom in every bedroom,\u201d Luongo says. \u201cGone are the days of one toilet and bath for the entire family.\u201d<\/p>\n He recommends upgrading your plumbing to reduce the chances of leaks behind your brand new walls. \u201cOld copper pipes and fittings slowly corrode over the years and become weaker. So it only makes sense to remove all the old piping that you can get to and upgrade it with new water lines.\u201d<\/p>\n In fact, if you see grey plastic piping, Luongo says that\u2019s definitely a sign to redo your plumbing. \u201cThis older grey piping is called Polybutylene Pipe (Poly B) and is notorious for causing floods,\u201d he says. \u201cIt only has a lifespan of 12 years and starts rapidly deteriorating after that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Poly B pipe reacts and oxidizes with the chlorine in our water supply, which makes the pipe brittle,\u201d he explains. \u201cEventually, the pipe fails. At this point, many cracks in the pipe cause large amounts of damage in short periods of time,\u201d Luongo says.<\/p>\n Examine your subfloor<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re renovating your bathroom, it makes no sense to build on a faulty foundation. \u201cCheck the bathroom\u2019s subfloor and, if it\u2019s damaged, go ahead and replace it with a new one,\u201d Outlaw says. \u201cI have seen individuals try to save money by skipping this step. It can often come back to haunt them as they deal with future problems.\u201d<\/p>\n Add security cameras<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re thinking about getting a security system, this may be the time to add it. Outlaw recommends adding cameras and a security system to the outside of the home while the walls are open. \u201cEven a cheap system running on your home wifi can give peace of mind while on vacations or sleeping at night,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n