HGTV makes it look so easy, but the reality of getting a fixer-upper in Kelowna involves much more work. There are many little things you won’t realize until you’re in the thick of things and you’re up to your neck in managing contractors, a budget, your time, and materials.
Luckily, we’ve got some key tips to help you from drowning in construction and repairs.
Buying a Fixer-Upper in Kelowna? Make Sure to Check Your Contractor’s References
Just because they have years of experience doesn’t necessarily make them the right fit for you. Plus, too many people have horror stories from choosing a contractor that took their money and left their house unsafe.
Always vet your contractor!
Check their references and talk to friends and other people in the community to see if other people also had work done by them. If they are reputable, people will gladly recommend them.
You also need to be able to have an easy time talking with them which brings us to the next tip…
Be Clear in Your Communication
Good communication makes the world of difference in most situations and that definitely includes home-building. You’re probably not going to be at your fixer-upper in Kelowna when your contractor is there. Therefore, it’s a good idea to tell them both verbally and in written form what you want them to do.
For instance, letting them know where to install fixtures in your bathroom both verbally and marking it with a taped note to the wall.
Find Out What You Can Do… and What You Should Leave to the Professionals
Getting a fixer-upper in Kelowna is a perfect opportunity to build your own home handyman/woman skills. While you can use a contractor for everything, you can also learn a lot from home guides online.
Tiling and painting, for example, are both fairly straightforward to do once you know some basic techniques for how to do them effectively.
Budget for Time and Money
There’s a good chance you’ll need to pay for something that comes as a complete surprise during your renovations. Be prepared to go 10-20% over your budget and plan for that accordingly.
Money isn’t the only thing you should budget for though. Fully completing a fixer-upper takes ample time, and there are plenty of things that could cause delays. Be prepared to do a lot of waiting while things are being built and understand that it’s totally normal.
If you need to get any permits or licenses before building be prepared to wait for those as well. Budget accordingly for them too since depending on the type of permit or license they can be somewhat expensive.
Order More Than You Need for Building Materials
Although it’s tempting to buy fewer materials to go for a budget build as much as possible, don’t. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to get those exact same look of materials again, especially when it comes to paint and stone like granite.
Also, don’t skimp on poor-quality tools. Good tools will not only last but also make the whole experience of fixing your house less frustrating and more enjoyable.
Clearly, before fixing a Kelowna fixer-upper there are many aspects to be mindful of that can impact your process. Always measure twice before cutting or installing, and to make the whole process more timely see if you can work on multiple rooms at once. Following our tips above will help you be even more ready for turning your fixer-upper into your dream home.