Renovation Smarts Blog- Intro!

Thinking of renovating your home? Many people are opting to make improvements to their “home sweet home” instead of upgrading to the McMansion style homes we saw in the 1990s. It goes hand in hand with America becoming more green, homeowners are now interested in improvements that can be made in their current homes to add value, comfort, and efficiency.

However, before you dive into tiling your bathroom or replacing your cabinets, know what you are embarking on. Renovating is no piece of cake to homeowners. Even regular DIY’ers can find themselves in over their heads very quickly. Many of us are guilty of watching a little too much HGTV and getting overly confident. What isn’t always evident is the amount of support and labor many of those shows hide from the cameras. All of the materials are there the very next morning and kitchens are demo’d in the first 2 minutes. I like to term that, the “shock and awe of HGTV”. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of those shows and watch them religiously, but I look at them through seasoned eyes and the experience of years of home renovations and construction. Underestimate a project and you’ll find yourself washing dishes in your bathroom sink for 2 months!

There are so many variables: permits, hiring tradesmen, budget concerns, material issues, scheduling conflicts with sub-contractors, and of course, your family. Add children to the mix and you have a recipe for disaster…or at least a ton of stress.

I always recommend hiring meticulously when dealing with contractors. Angie's List to the rescue! Wait a second…would you rely 100% on an online review for a dentist? I doubt it. References and actually inspecting previous projects is still the number one overlooked must-do when hiring a contractor. Do you plan on being home for most of the renovation? If not, do you really trust your contractor with your most valuable possession in the world, your home? Did you budget extra funds for the fluctuating costs of materials? Heck, a box of decking screws can cost over $30! Time, labor, materials, and your budget all need to be managed daily. Don’t expect your contractor to do that for you.

So where can homeowners turn for: advice, realistic budgeting, and project input? I act as an independent, third party advocate, working on your behalf to make your renovation unfold easily from start to finish. With hands-on experience and a degree in design, I know how to make renovations happen the right way. I offer several services for homeowners. I’ll save you money and the headaches, guaranteed!

I'm a renovation consultant and founder of Renovation Smarts, servicing Metrowest Boston and Upstate NY.

Contact me at: deyano@mac.com , 508-494-2928, or for more information check out: www.renovationsmarts.com

All the best,

Deyano Manco