Remodeling is a long process wherein you change the appearance of a specific room. Sometimes, it involves demolishing walls and changing the room’s layout. You will also need materials such as tools to complete the remodeling project. In this article, you’ll learn some expert advice on transforming and renovating your living space.
Remodeling VS Renovating: What’s the Difference?
Before heading to the topic, let’s cover the difference between remodeling and renovating. These two terms have a tendency to be used interchangeably. While both require materials from hardware stores like Kearney Hardware Store to complete projects, the approach to the projects differs.
Remodeling is all about restructuring the property. For instance, you want to update your kitchen’s overall structure. What happens here is that you’ll likely break down old walls, add new sections to the room, and perhaps introduce more kitchen cabinets. Remodeling is also all about changing the interior layout too. A good example is creating a home office by removing a wall separating an unused room and your bedroom.
Renovation, on the other hand, is just design and aesthetic changes. For example, your once drab-looking living room will be updated with a new look. The space will have a brand-new paint job. It may also involve breaking down walls or ceilings, but the aim is not to restructure the room but rather replace the creaking pieces of wood. You may find the materials at Kearney Construction Supplies for renovation projects.
Renovation may also include adding some items or appliances to move in once the project is near completion. For instance – purchasing a new kitchen appliance Kearney, NE, to improve the cooking experience.
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How to Transform and Remodel Your Living Space?
Be aware that remodeling can be pricey but worth it in the long run. There are numerous stages to completing a remodeling project – from conception to execution and completion. Also, you need to note that this is not a DIY project. You’ll need the help of experts in installing many components.
With that said, here are the steps to remodel your living space.
Prepare the Site
For the first step, you must prepare the site that needs remodeling. If trees and shrubs are near the remodeling site, they’ll need to be removed or relocated. You might want to have a landscaping contractor around to complete this part of the project.
Purchase or look for the Needed Tools
You can always get the tools needed for the remodeling job. These tools can range from the hammer, the shovel, and up to wire cutters – each one will have a role to play in completing the remodeling project.
However, since you will likely have a crew of experts working with you, they may already have those items on hand for remodeling.
Prepare an Area for Excavation, Constructing, and Backfilling for Foundation
You must clear the area and dig to a certain depth if remodeling an entire house. During this part, electric wiring and plumbing relocation take place. Once that’s done, foundation footings can be poured over the excavation. It takes several days for the footing to be cured.
Once the foundation footing is cured and inspections are done, you can use compact sloping materials to fill in any tiny nooks or crannies in the foundation.
Demolishing and Re-Framing
Once the site’s all set, demolition can take place. You will need a contractor who specializes in demolishing and removing houses to make this work. Also, they’ll be handling debris disposal when the work is done.
Once the section that needs remodeling is demolished, re-framing can commence. New foundations and framing are set around the area that’s to be remodeled. You can create new walls, install new roofings, and add more elements to touch up the remodeled site. Make sure that you have the tools for the re-framing job on hand to ensure smooth progress.
- On a side note, you must weatherproof it after re-framing and making huge progress on your remodeling project. Add roofing, windows, and doors to ensure that weather elements like rain won’t seep in.
Partitioning the Remodeled Area’s Interior
After re-framing and weatherproofing the remodeled site, the next phase is setting up interior partitions. Carpenters will set up the stud walls and create openings for doors and other components specified on the floor plan they’re working on. Mounting blocks and chases are also added during this phase to install heating, ventilation, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning routing.
Plumbing, Wiring, and HVAC Installation
After the carpenter works on the remodeled site, the plumber, electrician, and HVAC contractor will come in with their tools. The plumber will set up the rough plumbing after framing. The electrician will set up the wiring system as directed by their blueprints, and the HVAC contractor will set up ducts in the ceilings and flooring.
- On another side note, insulation installers will provide the necessary insulation to the remodeled area’s walls, ceiling, and floors during this phase. They must ensure that the insulation they add follows the region’s or country’s energy code.
Installing the Drywall and Flooring
Once all existing fixtures are inspected, the “finisher” phase of the remodeling project can begin. The first phase of the finishing touches is to install the drywall or the wallboards. During this phase, wall tiles or tiled flooring are added at the same time while the walls are being worked on. If tiled flooring isn’t your preference, wooden flooring can be used instead.
- With the drywall installed, more elements such as shelves, kitchen cabinets, or a bathroom vanity such as a sink can be introduced at this point. Counters or other surfaces are also added as well.
Finishing Touches for Pipes, Wires, and HVAC
Since the wiring, plumbing, and HVAC inspections are done, many finishing touches must be done. Electric outlets, switches, and light fixtures are added for the wiring side. For the HVAC side, vent registers have to be installed. For plumbing, it’s testing whether the pipes and the water flow are working as intended.
Give the Walls Some Color!
After completing all of the previous tasks, the next step is to paint the wall or attach wallpapers if you’re not into painting. Surely by this point, you should have already come up with the right colors for the rooms you’ve remodeled.
Moving in the Appliances and Final Landscaping Work
The final finishing touch before remodeling is considered finished is moving in the appliances that aren’t installed. Bring in the television, sofa, and coffee table for the living room. Install the oven and place the microwave inside the kitchen. Move all the items for your remodeled home to cap off the interior work.
For the exterior, the landscape contractor can plant trees and shrubs, install a lawn, and create pathways to your home.
So, these are the steps to transform your home through remodeling it. Upon completing the house remodeling, you should contact your building authority to receive a certificate of occupancy. This certificate will prove that you live in your remodeled house and shows that it has met all permit conditions and building standards.
The Bottom Line About Remodeling
Remodeling is all about changing the structure of one area, or usually the whole house – it also tends to be mistaken for Renovation, whereas it is a different concept. Remodeling is initially expensive but worth it in the long run since you work with various experts. These experts will ensure that your house isn’t only pretty and functional.
Upon finishing the remodeling project, you should obtain a certificate of occupancy. Once you have this on hand, it proves you are the house’s resident, and it’s safe and meets all standards. At this point, you’re all set to enjoy many years and memories inside your cozy home.
