There’s nothing more exciting than the anticipation of your home renovation Vancouver! But do you really know what to expect from the process?
On the bright side, working with a renovation project manager makes your reno much less stress free than trying to do it yourself, but it’s always best to expect the unexpected.
So with that said, he’s what you can expect during your home renovation in Vancouver.
You’ll talk to your renovation project manager more than your spouse
There’s one point person you’ll speak to on a daily – and sometimes several times daily – basis: your renovation project manager. Since the project manager takes care of helping with the renovation design, the renovation plan, the timeline, the budget, hiring the trades for the work and ultimately coordinating every aspect of your renovation, we will be getting to know each other quite well during the process!
Plans will change along the way
From the first pictures you pin to your “Renovation” board on Pinterest, to finalizing the smallest finishing details for the new look of your home, your plans will definitely change along the way. From pricey finishes that don’t fit within your budget, to kitchen cabinets that simply don’t work in your home, flexibility is your key to a stress-free renovation.
Your budget and costs will probably change
When plans change, costs change. That’s why your renovation project manager will often talk to you about leaving some padding in your renovation budget. Usually, this is to cover the unexpected surprises that might come up when the work begins (read more on this below). The good news is that working with a professional and experienced renovation project manager can help you create a realistic budget – and stick to it as much as possible.
Your house will be noisy and dirty for a while
It’s a fact: renovations mean noise and dirt, but the degree varies. Massive whole-home renovations obviously create more of a disturbance, and some families choose to move out while work is ongoing. For smaller renovations, though, the inconvenience of a temporarily torn-apart kitchen is well worth it!
It might take longer than expected
Another renovation fact: the project often takes longer than the quote you receive from your trades suggests. Your renovation project manager will help you deal with this, and can set realistic expectations with you. But even once the work has begun, surprises and changes to the plan can extend your renovation timeline as well – be aware that delays usually affect your budget, too.
You will make a million small decisions, and a few big ones
The tiny decisions, like where to put the light switches and which colour of blonde you want from your hardwood are just the beginning. Luckily, those small decisions are fun to make, and your renovation project manager can help guide you. Sometimes, bigger decisions come up, like what to do if the granite slab you want is out of stock, or how to deal with rusted-out pipes in your kitchen. Expect to deal with decisions like these along the way – quickly, to avoid construction delays.
And unexpected surprises will arise
Once the work begins, surprises often come up. We sometimes discover asbestos, leaky pipes and botched electrical systems when the walls and flooring come out. Being aware that these things happen is helpful, and your renovation project manager will talk you through the best solutions.
Your finished reno will take your breath away
Sure, you’ve looked at plans and renderings a hundred times, but the finished work is always even more glorious than you could have imagined! It’s the reward that makes the renovation process worthwhile, every time, for every one of our clients.
