What You Need to Know About Remodeling

• design;
• functionality.

For example, a remodel is a situation where you want to expand your kitchen – remove a wall and combine the room with the dining area, add a few more sections of cabinets and, finally, remove the sink from the corner. Also, if you have always wanted to add a garage (expand it for one more car), add a terrace on the kitchen side – this is also considered remodeling.

In addition, this type of work does not necessarily mean a large-scale project. Remodeling also refers to the fact that if you want to change the purpose of the room, for example, you want to make an office instead of the basement. Remodeling is a process that involves changing the appearance or functionality (purpose of use).

Why is it Necessary?

Owners of a residential home or commercial property may want to remodel the property at any time to meet certain interior design trends and functional requirements. In addition, this type of work may also be required when problems arise.

Reconstruction is most often required in the following situations::

• Poor energy efficiency – the house loses too much heat, which leads to higher utility bills. In this situation, it is necessary to improve insulation, modernize the heating system, etc.
• Potential danger to people inside – walls can crack, electrical wiring is often knocked out and appliances are damaged. In this situation, structural changes are made – new electrical wiring is installed, the foundation is reinforced and cracks are sealed, and other work is done to make it safe to be inside.
• The property no longer meets modern requirements. For example, a commercial property must have a fire alarm system, etc.

The experts at American Standart can help with any issue and will perform professional remodeling in accordance with all building codes.

Stages of the Remodeling Process

This type of construction work may require a rather large budget. At the same time, the money spent will pay for itself.

At the very beginning of the work it is definitely worth developing a detailed project, how exactly you see the repair of your house, modernization of a certain room or construction of a new structure on the site (adding a room, building a patio, garage, etc.). The project is coordinated with the builders, after which the experts begin to carry out the work.

A standard list of steps may include the following steps:

1. Site preparation and demolition work. At the first stage, you may need to remove walls or prepare the area for a new structure. It all depends on what kind of work will be carried out at the site.
2. Erection. The craftsmen may lay the foundation for a new room of the house, terrace, garage and so on. It may also be necessary to build walls, partitions. From above, the structure must necessarily be covered – the roof is built. This is one of the most difficult, expensive and long stages, but it is on it that the strength and reliability of the structure depends.
3. Laying of engineering communications. The next stage is the installation of electrical wiring, water intake and sewerage pipes. Pay attention to the fact that planning the laying of utilities is carried out at the very beginning of the project development, it is worth considering the final location of lighting fixtures, electrical equipment and plumbing.
4. Rough finishing. Next is the stage of finishing works. In this situation, builders arrange the rough screed, putty the wall and so on – there is a preparation of all surfaces for the subsequent finishing. 
5. Fine finishing. At this stage the conceived design of the premises is realized – the walls are decorated, the selected flooring is laid, the ceiling is finished, lighting fixtures are connected and so on.

Finally, the object is handed over to the customer, who must inspect the house and accept the work. Also at the final stage, all relevant documents must be drawn up to ensure that the work carried out complies with the law.

Please note that remodeling does not always require all of the above steps. For example, if you have planned to renovate the bathroom, but you do not want to change the location of the plumbing, then fewer steps will be performed. In this situation, the old plumbing fixtures and finish material will be removed. After that, the new material of choice will be installed.

Tips for a Successful Remodeling Project

A professional renovation is necessary to ensure that the facility fully meets your requirements in terms of appearance and functionality. We have put together some effective recommendations to ensure that the work is done right:

1. You don’t have to do all the work yourself. Many homeowners in order to save money are engaged in self-repair. But not everyone has enough knowledge and experience in this area. This leads to serious mistakes that will have to be corrected by specialists, and this will cost a lot of money, because the work will be redone twice.
2. Use only proven quality materials. Do not choose the cheapest ones. Saving on materials leads to the fact that the fresh repair will quickly deteriorate and in 1-2 years you will have to do it all over again.
3. Agree with the builders on the financial budget they should invest in. This should be one of the very first points that you will negotiate with the craftsmen. It is also imperative that an estimate is made at the beginning of the work according to the project created and agreed with the customer.
4. Take care of all legal issues. Your remodeling must comply with local laws and regulations. Be sure to review the list of documents you must have on hand to ensure that everything is legal. Otherwise, you may be required by government authorities to demolish it.

If you want everything done right, on time, and at a reasonable price, it’s best to turn to the experts at American Standart. We comply with all modern requirements so that you get the best result.

Remodeling Mistakes

Even a tiny mistake can lead to huge financial costs. You’ll have to redo the job to get it right. Saving money or speeding up the process, homeowners encounter the following common mistakes that lead to problems:

1. Using the services of an unqualified construction team.
2. Prioritizing the beautiful appearance while completely ignoring the aesthetics.
3. Constantly changing the project at different stages of its realization.
4. Lack of a backup plan for reinsurance, if something during the execution of work goes wrong.
5. The homeowner has not completed the proper paperwork for the remodeling of the house.

To avoid all of the above mistakes, you need to hire a professional team of handymen who know how to remodel real estate. American Standart specialists will perfectly cope with projects of any complexity and volume. You only need to contact our managers to discuss all the details in advance.

FAQ

Is remodeling considered construction?

Yes, it is a type of construction work. This is because the project changes the appearance and functionality of a certain area/room. However, you should not think that this is a large-scale construction work, because you do not need to build everything from scratch – make foundations, walls, etc.

When should you remodel your space?

You may want to remodel a property at any time – even a month after the completion of extensive construction. The main reasons that indicate you need to remodel include: you are uncomfortable living in the house, customers or visitors have started to complain (if it is a commercial property), utility costs are increasing (the house is no longer energy efficient), etc.

What permits are needed for remodeling a property?

Of course, you should worry about all the necessary documents to ensure that the work has been carried out in accordance with local legislation. The list of paperwork depends on the scale and type of work planned. Most often, the homeowner will need to obtain planning permission for alterations and other works.