Hearty congratulations on the successful update to your home! You’ve gone through the mess, costs, and all the unexpected twists and turns, and now your new abode looks fabulous.
You could pat yourself on the back, sit back, and relax now that the most exhausting part of the project is done. But before that, let’s talk about five things to do after a DIY project so your home is a happy and healthy space for your family to live in and enjoy.
Deep Cleaning the Entire Space
Whether you were renovating the kitchen, basement, bathroom, or office, the chances are that it’s been a messy journey. That said, it’s obvious that the first thing you want to do post-renovation is deal with the dirt, dust, and smells.
An important thing to do during renovations is to keep the space as clean as possible at the end of each day. Doing this helps control the dirt and dust, meaning you’ll have less cleaning work after the renovation.
If you’re renovating a particular area, the kitchen, for instance, putting up plastic barriers, taping up the vents and ducts, and running an air purifier may help prevent dust from escaping to other areas of your home.
So, how do you clean your spaces after a big DIY renovation?
i. Open the windows (if any) to allow fresh air in, reduce the post-renovation smell and let the dust floating in the air escape.
ii. Start with a dry clean. Dust all the surfaces starting with the ceiling and walls, plus the shelves and counters. Next, sweep or vacuum as much dust and dirt on the floor to reduce the risk of leaving scratches when mopping.
iii. Now conduct a damp clean by thoroughly wiping down all the surfaces with damp microfiber mops, cloths, and pads.
iv. Remember to disinfect and sanitize all surfaces.
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Update Your Home Maintenance Checklist
Homeownership comes with its fair share of responsibilities. These include maintenance, which could be monthly or yearly. Depending on the scope of your DIY renovation, it’s very likely that you’ve just added new areas or items that need to be maintained.
Staying on top of a home maintenance checklist keeps your home operating safely while ensuring everyone a safe and healthy stay year-round. Also, conducting timely maintenance tasks is a great way to prevent costly repairs in the future.
Good thing most of these activities are easy for anyone itching to DIY and only require common household tools.
Depending on where you live, your home maintenance checklist may vary from season to season. However, a month-to-month maintenance checklist includes:
- Checking the HVAC system filters. Replace the filters every three months.
- Testing your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors plus the fire extinguishers.
- Looking for any signs of water leaks, especially around sinks and toilets.
- Test the GFCI to ensure it’s in working condition.
- Clean garbage disposal and unclog the drain.
Revisit Your Dwelling Insurance With Your Agent
When you’ve put the hammer down and the drywall dust has settled, there’s another important thing that you need to do: contact your agent regarding your dwelling insurance. Actually, it’s essential to keep your insurance provider in the loop when planning and carrying out a major renovation project for obvious reasons.
Most remodeling and renovating projects do more than make your home more comfortable and increase its resale value. They also hike the cost of rebuilding. And if the project involves additions and upgrades like high-end appliances, the cost of replacing your personal belongings also goes up.
As it stands, your dwelling insurance protects your home only at its pre-renovation value. Informing your insurance provider is essential for ensuring that the new additions are adequately covered. Failure to get a new replacement value estimate puts you at the risk of being underinsured in case of a peril that leads to a significant loss, like a house fire.
When reviewing your dwelling insurance limits, it’s important to have copies of all receipts for appliances, fixtures, and high-end materials. A visual record of the project’s before, during, and after photos will also come in handy.
Shop for New Furniture
Renovation projects are all about making the home friendlier, safer, and more functional. Depending on the reason for renovating your house, getting a new set of furniture may be necessary to complement your new space.
The major consideration here is going for pieces of furniture with a design that matches or blends with your home theme. Traditional furniture will be your go-to choice if you’re after a conventional design theme, while minimalist style furniture will interest those who want to keep things simple.
The available space is another crucial guide when shopping for furniture. While you don’t want furniture that occupies all the space, small-sized items will only make your room appear empty.
Of course, you also want to factor in the durability of materials. Remember to research the durability and reliability of different materials to get a product that offers excellent value for money.
Treat Yourself to a Successful DIY Project
Home renovation or remodeling is a major achievement owing to all the sacrifices that come with it. That said, after updating your dwelling insurance, doing post-renovation cleaning, and unpacking your new furniture, it’s time to throw a post-remodel party- and there’s no one way of doing it!
How you feel about your project’s completion will come down to personal interest. Pop open a bottle of champagne or your favorite wine and toast to your successful DIY project with your significant other.
Or throw up a party and invite your neighbors. This may be the perfect opportunity to show off what you’ve been working on besides thanking them for putting up with the noise pollution.
You could also escape on vacation. After months of chaos, strain, and anxiety, we bet nothing feels better than a short vacation. A weekend getaway is a good way to de-stress and give your newly renovated space some time to air out.
When you come back, all the chaos of renovation months will have faded, allowing you to see the results of your hard work with fresh eyes.
