For many people, owning a home is something of a project. It’s a process of constant reviewing, updating, reimagining, and repurposing. As our families grow and our particular needs change, our homes will need to be adapted and redesigned to reflect this.
Where you live can have an effect on your renovation, anything from the climate and weather to local laws and regulations can be factors that must be taken into consideration. Renovations can be expensive and time-consuming; they require careful and measured planning to ensure the process goes smoothly. If you’re looking to renovate your California home, there are a number of things you need to keep in mind. We’ve put together a guide with some top tips to get you started. Check it out below.
Work Out a Budget
One of the most prohibitive parts of a home renovation is the cost. Even small-scale upgrades or improvements to your home can incur significant bills. You’ll have to consider all the potential expenditures, including labor costs, the price of materials, and any permits or permissions you may need. If you are doing a full, highly invasive renovation you may also have to pay for you and your family to stay in a hotel for a period of time.
The best way to avoid spending beyond your means is to draw up a detailed budget ahead of time. Through careful research you can create estimates for the cost of particular parts of the process, working out a total price for the full job.
Think about ways in which you can cut costs. Compare estimates from local contractors to ensure you are getting the best price and carefully assess the value for money of different materials. If you have to temporarily stay somewhere else while the renovations are ongoing, consider asking friends or family to let you stay with them to avoid paying the price for a hotel.
Think Green
The climate crisis is one of the most pressing issues of our time. Experts maintain that we must reduce our carbon emissions immediately to avoid a climate catastrophe. The ongoing 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) is a global summit of world leaders looking to solve the climate crisis. While it is ultimately up to these governments to tackle the issue, we as citizens are also being urged to take action.
Installing eco-friendly technology as part of your home renovation will give you the satisfaction of knowing you’re doing your part to help the planet. That’s not all, energy efficient doors and windows can help save money on your energy bills. An even more attractive incentive for making your home greener is the incentives offered by the government. The Inflation Reduction Act offers a range of tax credits and rebates for homes equipped with energy-saving technology. This legislation will encourage improvements to the home that are designed with the environment in mind.
Check Local Laws and Regulations
Wherever you are, renovating a home will often require approval from local authorities and regulatory bodies. California is no exception; you must ensure that you are proceeding within the boundaries of the law, or you could face major snags. Being told to stop before the work has even started is bad enough, what is worse though is the process being halted halfway through, leaving you with a half-renovated house.
While small-scale renovations such as new flooring or a new paint job can be done without the need of regulatory approval, larger jobs that alter the structure of the house do. California uses the International Building Code, which stipulates a range of conditions when it comes to home renovations.
If you are adding an extra room or floor to your home, you are going to need to obtain a building permit before you proceed. Different jurisdictions may handle the process in different ways, but you will often have to submit plans and blueprints as part of the application process, and you could face a visit from the authorities to ensure your renovations will be in line with health and safety protocols.
If you live in an old or historic home, there may be different rules in place regarding what you can and can’t do when it comes to renovations. What you might find is that you will be offered financial help for works carried out if they are deemed to be essential to the maintenance of the building.
Conclusion
There could be many reasons you decide to renovate your home. Maybe your family is growing, or perhaps you have bought an old home that is in need of an upgrade. Regardless of the reason, there are a number of factors that you need to take into consideration to ensure the process is successful. Draw up a budget, check all local laws and regulations, and consider installing eco-friendly technology to benefit from government incentives.