I always like to compare renovating to baking – it’s fun to start with until you realise you have no idea what you’re doing and don’t even know how to pronounce the word croquembouche, let alone bake one.
I once had a friend that thought the best time to do their tiling work would be at 8pm at night, after a few glasses of red wine. I’m sure we can all imagine how that ended up. Instead of working from the bottom and going up, she and I started gluing her tiles on from the ceiling and doing the wrong method. Needless to say, the wall looked like sad, grey pieces of toast melting off the bathroom wall. Very much non-edible. So, without further ado, here’s a few things to keep in mind when you are thinking about renovating.
First of all, renovating means money. Now before you go crazy at IKEA, a necessary process involved obviously, you have to know what you want before you fill up that shopping cart awaiting you. Of course, you can’t buy the resources if they’re not available in the store to start with, let alone at your price range. If you’re planning on remodelling using rare or seasonal materials, you might have to wait a few weeks at best, months at worst. That being said, if you’re happy to pay for importing resources or using second hand locally, go for it. Do be cautious, however, of the quality of the materials being imported if that is the path you choose to go down. In fact, approximately 40,000 Australian homes have been found at risk of electrocution and fires due to the degradation of the plastic casing on a common electric cable.
This brings us to our next point – legalities. If the professionals have codes and practices they have to follow, then that means so do you. We can’t just be digging up holes or changing wires. For the sake of your safety, as well as your family, flatmates and neighbours, it’s important to follow the local statutes and building codes of your area in addition to contacting a building inspector as another point of reference.
Of course, seasonality doesn’t only affect the availability of your materials but also the time of year and day you plan to start the process. Nobody wants to paint in the rain, let alone see all their hard work for the day ruined by the wind or hail. Similarly, the effects of the weather on your body itself is an important factor to keep in mind to avoid fatigue, dehydration, and heatstroke. I don’t know about you but I can’t handle anything over 20 degrees if I’m working outside or in a hot, stuffy room.
It’s a lot to take in. That’s why sometimes it’s better to let someone qualified do the job. Hiring a trade worker is beneficial as it saves you the time in working, buying the tools, learning how to use them, and then how to apply them. Kick your feet up and save yourself the hassle.