Guest Post - 10 Home Renovation Mistakes New Homeowners Make

Getting to renovate your home can be an exhilarating experience. You’re about to change the look of the home you’re living in, and you should be excited for that! Although it is fun, there are certain things you should look out for. New homeowners make a lot of mistakes when they’re renovating their home for the first time, and that is completely normal. We’re here to tell you how to avoid them. Here are 10 home renovation mistakes new homeowners tend to make so you could look out and try to avoid making them.

Overspending

You should always be mindful when it comes to your finances. Most new homeowners tend to overspend their first-time renovation, and that’s something you should try to avoid at all costs. Set a clear budget and try not to go over it. Your wallet is going to be thankful to you in the future. It can be really easy to overspend when you’re renovating, so be careful.

Not having a clear plan

It’s really important that you write out a plan for yourself before you start renovating. It will help you to navigate through the whole process without being lost. You should clearly map out what you’re trying to accomplish with your renovations. Most new homeowners tend to disregard this matter, but they soon realize that they shouldn’t have.

Trying to be as cheap as possible

This is in contrast to the first mistake we were talking about. While some people tend to overspend, some people tend to save a bit too much and buy the cheapest materials that they’re going to use for their renovation. This is not recommended at all, since getting the cheapest materials is going to result in a poorly completed renovation.

Not consulting

It is totally okay if you’re trying to do the renovations by yourself if you can, but it’s not okay if you don’t consult with anyone beforehand. Especially, if you’re not experienced enough, you’re going to want to consult with someone to check what you’re clearly supposed to do.

Not measuring twice

This is an extremely important tip to follow, as you would be surprised at how often people forget to do this. Make sure that you measure the space which is going to be used for an object twice.  That way you’re going to be sure that everything is going to fit properly.

Expecting a smooth experience

You should keep in mind, especially if it’s your first-time renovating, that things aren’t always going to go as smooth as possible. You’re going to encounter yourself with a lot of bumps during the whole process, and you should expect that. Being prepared for that is going to save you from a lot of stress once you start renovating.

Not hiring a professional when needed

Sometimes you just can’t do everything by yourself. For example, if you’re trying to build or construct something for your renovation and you’re not experienced in those fields, it’s going to be difficult. You should consider hiring Vati Projects to help you out with everything construction related. 

Not taking it slow

This is a mistake that’s made way too often by the new homeowners. When you’re renovating, especially by yourself, you’re supposed to take things as slowly as possible. Rushing will get you nowhere. You’re just going to end up with a renovation that you’re not going to be satisfied with at all at the end of the day, and that’s something nobody wants.

Deciding to renovate on an impulse

This might seem like a counterproductive tip, but it most certainly is not. If you’ve just moved into your new house, maybe you shouldn’t start renovating it right out of the gates. Live there for a couple of weeks or months, and then make a proper decision. You might be saving yourself a lot of money.

Disregarding the exterior of the house

Some new homeowners when are renovating, tend to disregard the exterior of their house. Even though it’s true that remodeling the interior is generally more important, it’s not advised that you totally skip over the exterior of your house. You should check if everything is looking good for starters. Even though the exterior might be mostly aesthetical, there are a lot of things that could go wrong which would impact the interior of your house as well.

In conclusion, making mistakes as a new homeowner when renovating is expected. The goal is to try to make the least amount of them. By doing that, every next time you’re going to renovate, you’re going to make less and less mistakes. You shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help, nor should you be ashamed. A renovation process can be very difficult and tedious, and asking for professional help is usually recommended.

Author Bio:

Gabriel Hill is an Australian blogger and writer interested in various topics from home improvement to health and environment. 

4 Home Amenities to Upgrade During Your Remodel

When you're remodeling your home, you'll have to pick and choose what parts of it you want to upgrade and what parts you'll leave as they are. Although every home is different, there are a few upgrades that most houses due to be remodeled will benefit from. Here are four essential amenities you should consider upgrading during your next round of home improvements.

Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops

Few rooms in a house are as important as the kitchen. If you want to make your entire home feel more modern and elegant, consider upgrading the cabinets and the countertops in your kitchen. Old, outdated cabinets will make the entire space feel outdated, while a newer and more ornate set will lend a vibrant feel. Switching from composite counters to granite or quartz is also a great idea, since it will make your counters both more durable and more visually appealing.

Flooring

Like old kitchen cabinets, outdated flooring can detract from the appearance of your entire house. Carpeted floors in living areas are severely out of fashion at the moment. If you want to upgrade your living room or family room, consider making the switch to hardwood or bamboo. Both of these materials look great, will last for years and will radically upgrade the look of your home.

HVAC

In addition to looking good, your house needs to be comfortable. For this reason, you should consider having a new furnace and air conditioning system installed when you remodel. Air conditioner and furnace installation are reasonably affordable, and you'll notice a huge difference in the newer models at the hottest and coldest times of the year.

Garage and Basement Storage

Although they aren't main living areas in your home, your garage and basement are important for giving you ample storage space. Installing new shelving, a workbench and some basic cabinetry can make these spaces much more functional. These upgrades are especially important if you'd live to have a small workshop in your home where you can repair household items or work on personal projects.

By making these four upgrades, you can turn your house into the home of your dreams. While not all of the items listed here may be needed in your house, they should give you a good idea of where to start. Once you've picked out the parts of your house you want to upgrade, you can begin lining up the right contractors and laying out designs for the work.

Guest Post - The Most Common Garage Door Issues and How to Solve Them

Your garage keeps your cars protected from outside elements. Over time, your garage door can begin to wear down due to repeated use. Here are some common issues to look out for and how to fix them.

1. Your Door Won’t Open or Close 

Having your door open or close easily is essential. This is especially helpful when you’re in a rush to get somewhere. Failing to use your door for a while or keeping up with proper maintenance could be causing the problem, which is why upkeep is vital. 

Here are some regular maintenance tips to consider:

• Apply lubrication

• Tighten the hardware

• Clean out any dust

• Check for cracks or broken rollers

• Replace the lock  

Even with proper maintenance, your door can tighten over time. Here are some other common reasons you’re having trouble opening and closing it:

• Your remote is dead

• The door opener motor burned out

• The close-limit switch is improperly adjusted 

• The weather has been colder

You can fix most of the problems with a simple battery replacement. However, you may need to contact a professional when dealing with your door’s open motor.

2.  Broken Garage Door Springs 

This is one of the more common garage door issues. There are multiple types of springs, such as torsion, extension and Holmes one-piece options, and any one of them can fail at any time. If you’re at home, you are likely to hear the break. If you notice your garage door isn’t functioning properly, check to make sure all the springs are there. 

Here are some other signs to look out for:

• There are balance issues

• You hear excessive squeaking

• The top half of the door is misaligned

• The door only opens a few inches

• The cables attached to the spring are dangling

Once you notice your springs are broken, call a professional for help. This is especially true if you have metal torsion springs. To keep yourself safe and your garage door intact, leave it to the experts. 

3. The Photo Eye Sensor Isn’t Working Properly 

A photo-eye sensor is a safety feature. It lets you know if something is blocking the door from fully closing. It’s usually a couple of inches off the ground and the size of a pea, and the sensors direct beams toward each other. The circuit breaks if there is any disruption, which prevents the door from closing. 

If your garage door isn’t properly functioning, then your photo-sensor could be blocked. You may also want to check to see if the cord broke.

Here are some steps to adjust your device:

1. Make sure the sensors have a lit LED light 

2. Check them to see if they are dirty

3. Adjust the pivot bracket by loosening the bolts and screws

4. Move it slightly in and out and up and down until the light comes on 

5. See if the wires are mounted at the same height

4.  The Door Isn’t  Responding to a Keypad or Remote 

Having a remote or keypad makes operating your garage door more convenient. If you’re remote isn’t responding, you may be out of range of the antenna. To fix this issue, make sure the antenna isn’t broken and try reprogramming the keypad. 

This is something you can do yourself. If you have any questions, contact your manufacturer for more information. 

Here are the steps to take to reprogram your garage door opener:

1. Access your door motor

2. Reset the motor

3. Enter a new code

4. Reprogram the remote

Make sure your remote batteries are charged before making any adjustments. If they’re not, you’ll want to replace them first. 

5. The Motor Won’t Stop 

When you close your garage door, the motor should stop once it reaches the top. If it continues, there may be an issue. Most motor-related problems require an up-limit switch adjustment, which you can either fix yourself or hire a professional to do. You will need to access the limit switch and turn the adjustment screws clockwise for a DIY repair. 

Common Garage  Door Issues 

Your garage door experiences wear and tear over time. Look out for these common problems and solutions to keep things running smoothly for years to come.

Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.

Why You Should Upgrade Your Electric Panel

Our homes run on electricity. These days, you wouldn’t be able to get through the day without your gadgets or appliances. Whether you need your daily coffee intake courtesy of your electric coffee maker or the latest news from your television, it’s evident that electricity plays an essential role in our daily lives.

Now, what would happen if the power went out? 

It would be pretty nerve-wracking, and you wouldn’t be able to do things the way you usually do. Our homes don’t magically get electricity. What keeps electricity running in your home is your electric panel. 

Electric panels are usually in your basements or garages, making them easy to overlook. Although they are pretty durable and rarely need to be replaced often, they are obsolete and can become rusty over time.

When left unchecked, an outdated electric panel can cause a lot of problems for homeowners. An outdated electric panel can cause fires due to faulty wiring and damaged parts. Although a fire is terrifying enough, it isn’t the only reason you should upgrade your electric panel.

In this article, we’ll break down three reasons why you should get your electric panel upgraded.

The Safety of Your Home

The most important reason for upgrading your electric panel is to keep your home safe from potential dangers such as fires. According to research, faulty wiring and electric panel problems are some of the leading causes of house fires. 

Instead of waiting for disaster to strike, you should get your electric panel checked to see if you need to upgrade it or not. Investing in an electric panel upgrade will not just keep your home safe from electrical mishaps. Upgrading your electric panel is one of the most beneficial improvements you can do for your house other than remodeling it. Besides keeping your home safe, it will also increase your home’s value— perfect for those planning to move out or rent their homes. 

Overusing Power Strips

Another reason you should consider upgrading your electric panel is due to overusing power strips. If your home is filled with power strips, then it might be time to upgrade your electric panel. 

Today, we need electricity to charge our phones and appliances. If you’re using more and more power strips and extension cords to keep your gadgets charged, you are using more electricity than your home can supply. 

Tripping Circuit Breakers

Have you ever plugged in a new electrical appliance, and a minute later, your power gets cut off? This happens when your circuit breakers trip. It’s a safety feature in your home to prevent electrical mishaps.

However, if you notice that your circuit breakers trip constantly, it probably means that your home can’t handle that much electricity. This is a sure sign that your electric panel needs to be upgraded.

Wrapping Up

Your electric panel is just as important as any part of your home. It might be the most important thing since it keeps your house running. Upgrading your electric panel can help prevent many issues in the future, such as potential fires, faulty wiring, tripping circuit breakers, and excessive electricity use. 

If you’re unsure whether or not your electric panel needs an upgrade, you can hire a professional to help you out. Electrical emergencies are never fun to deal with. When in doubt, call a professional because they can help you determine what steps you need to take and make sure your electric panel is in good condition.