Finally deciding to renovate your living space is an exciting time, and usually a long time coming. As contractors we work hard to stick to a schedule, keep our work sites clean, and keep the homeowner’s lives as normal as possible. If you’re considering starting the renovation you’ve been waiting for, here are some tips on what to expect:

Unexpected delays could, and usually do, pop up.
It’s a part of the job, sometimes you don’t know what you’ll find until you start to work. As contractors we try to anticipate some of these delays and cushion our timeline. More insulation to remove than expected? Not a big deal, a few more hours added. Outdated electrical found? That’s a different story. Now we need to rely on an external electrical vendor.

External vendors can be booked up as far ahead as four weeks.
Hiring an electrician for the example above could push the project back a few days to a few weeks depending on their availability, which means pushing back the rest of our work that is contingent on the electrical being done. Although it may be a nuisance for the homeowner, it is completely necessary to get problems like those fixed.

Be prepared for the interruption into your everyday lives.
Three weeks may not seem like that big of a time commitment at the beginning, but it will be less of a burden if prepared for ahead of time. Although we try to keep the job site as clean as possible and impose on the homeowners’ schedules as little as possible, the renovation is still an interruption on daily activities. Living in a construction zone can start to grind on anyone after awhile. We understand, and please believe we are doing everything in our power to get the renovation done for you on time.

Speak up if something is wrong.
Remodeling is our specialty, not reading minds. The last thing we want is to have the homeowner unsatisfied. No one wins in this situation, please say something!

When we work together we will build the necessary trust between a contractor and homeowner, leaving the end result satisfactory for both.

We’ve all dreamed about owning a Victorian home at one time or another. Imagine exploring each room and noting the special details in the woodwork and windows. What we may not think about is the amount of work that goes into keeping those details polished and inspiring.

Have you seen Money Pit with Tom Hanks? I think every owner of a home, Victorian or otherwise, has reached this mental state at one time or another:

Don’t worry, it turns out beautiful.

Victorian homes draw our attention because their design and architectural detail are second to none. You simply do not see the time and detail put into houses being built today compared to a century ago. If you’re seriously considering a Victorian for your next home, be prepared to work hard and make the important updates to keep the home in its best possible condition.

A century ago, many of today’s products did not exist. This includes drywall, Romex wiring, pvc piping, etc. What this means is, more likely than not, the home will need to be brought up to code with today’s standards.

A common find in these older homes is knob and tube electrical, and plaster and lathe. If knob and tube electrical is found during alterations to the home it must be removed and updated with new wiring. This can add an unexpected cost to what started as a simple project.

Plaster and lathe are more based on aesthetic preference, but over time it will become brittle and most likely begin to crack.

It is important to be aware of these and other issues that can arise in Victorian homes so you don’t end up with faulty wiring and a smashed tub. These homes take a lot of love to keep them in shape, but the reward is totally worth it.