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Photo above: Photo credit: GTA Home + Reno Show.
NC – Of course, just a splash of paint in a few places, or a bit of grout here and there, and voila, your home will be like new again.
Dream on, say most reno experts. Anyone who has ever undertaken a renovation project on his own knows that renovations are not quite as simple as that. Unlike the magic of television shows, often the process is drawn out and full of surprises along the way.
Denise Hayward, manager for the GTA Home + Reno Show, shares her top tips for aspiring do-it-yourself renovators:
1. Understand the project. Make a plan and find out what it takes to accomplish it before you start. Read the manuals, get the right tools, and measure, measure, measure.
2. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Often DIY renovators start off on ambitious projects, and then realize they cannot complete it until they are halfway through. Start small and complete each reno, before starting a new one.
3. Call on friends. More hands make lighter work. For bigger projects, enlist friends who can help get the job done. Make sure they know exactly what they’re coming for so there are no surprises on reno day.
4. Think long term. Are you tempted to forgo the dining room update to make room for an 85-inch TV? Look ahead and plan renovations that will still work in five years’ time. Often what makes sense now can change, especially for new homeowners starting a family.
5. Call the experts. Some renovation projects are best left to the experts. Roofing work, re-sizing a room, or re-doing a bathroom, are all critical renovations that can impact the structural integrity of a home. Leave these projects to the experts and maintain your peace of mind.
“Proper planning is crucial,” says Hayward. “A DIY renovation is a true commitment and you need to start off on the right foot to see it through.”
Hayward also points out that the up-coming GTA Home + Reno Show is one of the best places to get organized because it houses everything under one roof. Open this year from February 13 to 16 at the International Centre in Mississauga, it showcases more than 250 top contractors, home experts, and suppliers.
