Category: How To

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Adulting For the Home Home How To Learning Life

Is Your Home Calling Out For Some Love?

Home Calling Out For Some Love

It’s easy to forget that our home needs a bit of TLC from time to time. After all, we don’t tend to react until something goes wrong. By that point, however, you will likely have an expensive repair bill and a lot of damage to deal with. You must ensure your home gets the attention it deserves on a regular basis by watching for signs of your home calling out for some love.

By performing frequent check-ups around your property, you can preserve the condition of your home and avoid expensive repairs in the future. With that in mind, read on to discover some warning signs that your home deserves a bit of TLC.  

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Is Your Home Calling Out For Some Love? Signs to Watch For

Squealing, Clanging, and Rattling

If you are hearing any funny noises around the home, don’t ignore them. Boilers and furnaces can make quite a bit of noise if they are not taken care of properly. Or, it could even be your air conditioning system that is the problem. A clanging sound can occur if parts have loosened, which is often the case over time. No matter what the issue is, it’s essential to get it addressed right away.

Water Damage

Over time, water damage can build up, causing expensive problems for you to deal with. The sooner you deal with it, the fewer issues it will cause.

Some signs of water damage include stained ceilings and running water when no one is using it. If you have noticed any ceiling damage, your roof could be the problem. Calling in a water damage restoration professional is vital, as water damage can have a detrimental impact on the structure of your property.

Worn Countertops

One of the biggest indications of wear-and-tear in a property is worn countertops because countertops are designed to be long-lasting. If they start to become dull, chipped, or burnt, it is a good indication of your home calling out for love. Not only will new countertops add to the aesthetic appeal of your property, but they can boost the value of it too.

Clutter

If your home is covered in clutter, it’s time to make a change. Clutter can be difficult to live with. Not only does it look bad, but it can also make you feel stressed.

Coming home to a cluttered home is the last thing you want when you’ve had a difficult day at work. By getting your house to the stage where it is clutter-free, you will notice a massive difference in how you feel and how much you enjoy your home.

Mold and Mildew

Not only does mildew and mold look awful, but it can have an adverse impact on your health too. Hiring a specialist to remove the mold and mildew is essential, and then you must take steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again. It is also worth assessing the ventilation in the rooms that have been impacted.

Is Your Home Calling Out For Some Love?

Being a homeowner can be tricky because it comes with so many responsibilities. Watching for signs of your home calling out for some love is essential to preventing worsening issues and expensive problems. Don’t ignore these things, no matter how little they seem at first.

If you have any other tips, I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

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Health Healthy Living How To Life

Guest Post: 4 Things to Do When Someone You Know has Breast Cancer

*Things to Do When Someone You Know has Breast Cancer is a guest post written by Mischa Bergeron from mischabergeron.com. You can also find her on Twitter.*

One in four women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Two years ago I was one.

Without the love and support of my family and friends I am not sure how I would have managed
to get through the dark days. Surprisingly, many people do not have support or their loved ones
don’t show up the way mine did. It can be tough to know what to say or do and many times what
seems like a slight might be someone just trying to be respectful and step back to wait for the
patient to re-emerge.

There are a few things people can do upon hearing the dreadful news that will lift the spirits of
breast cancer patients.

Breast Cancer
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Show Solidarity

Show you care by showing solidarity. It can be anything from getting t-shirts with the person’s
name and a cute slogan like “you got this and we got you” #teamkate. If that isn’t an option,
things as simple as wearing a pink ribbon band, learning about breast cancer or offering to take
the person to the doctor all show support that can be incredibly helpful when days are tough.

Show Kindness

One thing that can be difficult for anyone going through treatment is preparing meals.
Organizing a meal drop off through apps that allow people to sign up for delivery is a great idea
and shows kindness.

Show Thoughtfulness

Being thoughtful about how a person might want to communicate with family and friends can
include organizing a Zoom call, regular check-ins or a quick text message can show you are
thinking of the person.

Show Generosity

Many people are not aware how high the cost of treatment can run even with the best health
insurance plans. Many plans only pay 80 percent of the total cost of chemotherapy. For an
average patient needing chemo that can run in the hundred thousands meaning your friend or
family could be on the hook for thousands of dollars in copays. Setting up a fundraiser is often
helpful to offset the costs. Knowing the cost might spur you and others to donate when seeing a
request online.

While breast cancer treatment is improving health outcomes faster than ever before, supporting
friends and family going through treatment can be as easy as showing up in the smallest of
ways and that can go a long way.

Mischa Bergeron is a freelance writer and content strategist in the health and education sectors at mischabergeron.com. She is also a breast cancer survivor.

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Adulting For the Home Home How To Learning Life

3 Essential Areas To Inspect Regularly at Home to Prevent Major Problems

Areas To Inspect Regularly at Home

Whether you’re buying or selling a home or staying in your current one, regular inspections ensure your house is in peak condition. Inspect visible areas like the roof and walls, but choose a home inspector for the rest. There are a few areas to inspect regularly, and it’s always best to get a professional’s opinion on these areas.

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Essential Areas To Inspect Regularly at Home

Plumbing System

There’s a reason you should always get a professional to do your plumbing inspection. The home’s plumbing system is a network of complicated elements that only an expert would know to look at. 

However, you can easily detect damages by noticing leaks through your roof or moisture. When this is the case, consider getting a water leak detection service to quickly identify the plumbing issue and repair it on the spot. 

A plumbing issue is not something you want to sit on and get to when it’s convenient for you. On the contrary, it can cause significant damages to your roof, walls, floor, and even furniture, reducing your home’s value.

It’s best to have a plumbing inspection as often as every six months if there’s no evidence of pre-existing damage. Doing so will help you prevent massive home renovations that could cost more money, time, and a lot of work.

Roof and Surrounding Structures

The roof is perhaps the most obvious place to detect any malfunction. This is because structural issues often affect the ceiling first, making it one of the major points for inspection.

You want to check for leakages, dents, cracks, or changes in your roof’s texture and color. If you discover one of these damaged roof signs, it’d be pertinent to call for a home inspection and repair STAT as it could indicate a bigger structural issue.

More importantly, resist the urge to climb on your roof for a close-up, and leave that to the professionals. Some roofs may be slippery, uneven, and unstable, deeming it risky for you and even experienced personnel to climb on.

However, home inspectors leave nothing to chance – they inspect, study and document their findings right there and then for accuracy. So you can expect short notes, photos, and a request for a full report.

Preferably, do a roof inspection twice a year to uncover issues before they get out of hand. In the long haul, you’ll be pretty happy you did.

Electrical System

Checking your electrical system is essential because faulty cables could lead to severe consequences like a house fire. If you live with your family and kids, take that as your inspiration to inspect your electrical network regularly.

A thorough home inspection covers all bases of your interior and exterior points. Because electrical systems can be inside and outside, you’re sure to have an extensive assessment of your electrical network.

Areas To Inspect Regularly at Home

Prevention is the best way to avoid major problems in your home. You may experience some structural damage in your home over time. But, you can quickly find and fix the issues with regular home inspections.

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Adulting For the Home Home How To Life

8 Things to Consider When Deciding How To Organize Your Home Renovation

How To Organize Your Home Renovation

Renovating a house is a major project that can be complex and difficult. Planning a project like this can be tricky, but it helps to organize your home renovation first. With organization, you know exactly what needs to be done at each stage. 

How To Organize Your Home Renovation
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How To Organize Your Home Renovation

Design and Planning

Design and planning could include detailed architectural plans, a quick sketch, or at least a clear idea of how your renovations should go. It will be much less expensive and stressful if you can correct any problems before the renovation begins. Make sure you have your budget prepped and ready, too. 

At this stage, write a list of which projects you can do yourself and which projects you will need to hire professionals for. Find the contractors or subcontractors for the professional jobs. This is also the time to apply for any permits you might need. 

Major Areas

Start with the biggest jobs like repairing or fixing the roof, the best foundation repair, repairing siding, or installing new windows. The big projects should be done first as smaller projects are usually impacted by them. 

Structural problems should be figured out first. Secure the foundation and make repairs to things like walls, joists, and beams. Repair the roof, replace damaged windows, and replace any broken siding.

While most of these repairs are straightforward, it would help to work with a trusted window company, John McCarter Construction if you need help replacing your windows and giving your home the elegance it deserves.

Demolition

Next, take on demolishing any sections of the house that will be rebuilt during the process. Rent a container for waste so you can dispose of everything correctly.

Demolish all areas of the house that will be renovated. If you won’t be living in the house during the project, demolish all areas at once. However, if you will be living in the home, demolish one area at a time so your entire living space isn’t gone.

Structural Carpentry

Your next stage is any carpentry that supports drywall, walls, windows, or doors. This would include moving existing walls, building new walls, adding beams to support upper floors, putting in new doors, removing existing doors, or enlarging or constructing window openings. 

Electricity, Plumbing, and HVAC Ductwork

While your walls and ceilings are open, get your vital services installed. Now is the ideal time for your HVAC company to put in the ductwork needed for heating and air conditioning. It’s also the right time for fitting any new plumbing and electrical systems. Get inspections done now too. 

Windows

Putting in new windows, whether in the whole house or just one room, is common in a renovation project. This is where it should go on your list if it is something you need to have done.

Insulation

Lay the insulation in your walls, ceilings, and attic. This is usually a fast job, so book the drywall company right away to avoid delays in your project.

Drywall

Close up the walls with drywall. Bring in the electrical and plumbing inspectors for a second check before you close up the walls, though. Drywallers can then hang sheets of drywall, apply drywall compound, and let the compound dry. Once it’s dry, they can sand it smooth for you to paint.


Infographic Provided by Rock Solid Stabilization & Reclamation, Inc.

Organize Your Home Renovation

With quite the list of things to address for your home renovation, getting organized is essential. You don’t want to do things out of order and cause more work for yourself later. Plus, having to go back and re-do things will cost extra money.

Avoid those types of problems by implementing these tips to organize your home renovation. It will make the entire process less stressful.

If you have done a home renovation, leave a comment and let me know how you organized it!

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Health Healthy Living How To Life Meal Plan

5 Simple Changes you can Make in Your Life to Be Healthier

be healthier

If you want to be healthier or make some positive changes in your life, it is easy to do. It only requires you to make a few simple changes, and you’ll be glad you make the effort. By implementing these tips, you will find how to be healthier in your life.

Be Healthier
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How to Be Healthier

1. Fill 50% of Your Plate with Non-Starchy Vegetables

Vegetables are separated into two categories, including “starchy” and “non-starchy”. Starchy vegetables have more calories than their non-starchy alternatives. Non-starchy options include spinach and other dark-green vegetables, cauliflower, and carrots.

If you fill your plate with non-starchy vegetables, you will find that you have a good way to improve your diet. These are all low in calories, but they are packed with nutrients. On top of this, they are packed full of fiber and water.

2. Use a Smaller Plate

Believe it or not, the size of your plate can affect the amount you eat. Scientists have found that those who eat from large bowls tend to eat 56% more food when compared to those who use smaller bowls. Eating from a smaller plate is a great way to trick your brain into eating less. Using this tip can be useful if you feel like your portions are far too big.

3. Swap Refined Carbs

Refined carbs, commonly referred to as empty carbs, are processed and stripped of all their nutrients. Empty carbs mean that they are adding more calories to your diet, but you aren’t getting any nutritional benefits from them.

Examples of refined carbs can include white bread, white rice, or even white flour. If you have a diet that is rich in refined carbs, then you may find that you are at risk of experiencing chronic diseases, including Type 2 diabetes. Choosing unprocessed carbs such as whole wheat flour or brown rice allows you to eat delicious, filling foods without empty calories.

4. Avoid Temptation

Sometimes, it is tempting to have a drink during the weekend or eat at a restaurant when you feel like you have nothing in the fridge. That being said, you should try to avoid this, if possible.

By eating well during the week and then failing during the weekend, it will affect you more than you initially realize. To get around this, it’s a good idea to invest in some zero percent alcohol, as well as making healthier versions of takeout meals you love at home.

5. Add Some Fruit

Fruit is a fantastic way for you to add some color to your plate and flavor to your oats in the morning. Fruit is loaded with vitamins and minerals, not to mention that it can help you get your five-a-day with ease, too. You can blend your fruit up into a smoothie, too, making it a healthy treat.

Be Healthier

Be Healthier

Improving your health doesn’t have to be hard. Use this simple tips to be healthier, and you will quickly notice the difference.

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Health Healthy Living How To Life Parenting

4 Tips for Finding the Best Doctors for Your Children

Best Doctors for Your Children

There is no healthy way around it – your child needs to see the doctor regularly. When your first baby is born, you need to make sure you have a doctor to take care of all of their needs. If your child requires a specialist, you might need to find another doctor that can help with your child’s health. Knowing where to start isn’t always easy when you’re researching the best doctors for your children, but it is worth it. Finding the best doctors for your children is essential if you want your children to be happy and healthy.

Best Doctors for Your Children
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Finding the Best Doctors for Your Children

1. Look at Pediatricians and Family Doctors

When you need a primary care doctor for your child, you can consider family doctors and pediatricians. These doctors will be your first stop when your child has a health problem. Plus, this is where your child will go for general checkups and preventative medicine.

The Difference Between Family Doctors and Pediatricians

Family doctors treat people of all ages, from babies to the elderly. However, pediatricians specialize in children’s medicine. Many people prefer to use a pediatrician because of this, but you might prefer a doctor who can treat your whole family. There could be times when your family doctor refers you to a pediatrician too.

Best Doctors for Your Children
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2. Choose Doctors to Grow with Your Children

You will find that some doctors specialize in treating children of certain ages. Some pediatricians might focus on babies or perhaps aren’t really suitable for teenagers. However, if you want to make things easier and find a doctor you can trust that will be there for your children at all stages of life, there are options. An option like Acorn Pediatrics can be there for you from the birth of your baby all the way to young adulthood. Choosing an option like this means the doctor can get to know your family and their patients.

3. Ask the Right Questions

You’re essentially hiring a doctor to do a job for you, so it’s only fair that you get to interview them. When you’re choosing a doctor for your children, it’s a good idea to talk to them and ask any questions that you might have.

If you’re not sure what you should be asking, think about both practical issues and the treatment that will be provided. Find out about things like office hours and emergency appointments, as well as ways you can get in touch with the doctor. You can also ask about the doctor’s philosophy, values, and more. Being comfortable with your child’s doctor is important, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

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4. Find Out If They’re a Good Fit

Not all doctors will be a good fit for your family, even if they’re perfectly qualified. Some might have an outlook that doesn’t fit with your ideals. Or, you might feel as if a doctor doesn’t have a proper bedside manner. Consider whether a doctor is a good fit for your family, including whether they communicate well and how their values align with yours.

Finding the Best Doctors for Your Children

Choosing the best doctors for your children takes a little time and effort, but it is entirely worth it. It might feel urgent, but try not to rush it if you don’t need to.

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Health Healthy Living How To Learning Life Mental Health On My Mind

How To Be Happy: 4 Tips to Being Genuinely More Joyful and Positive

How To Be Happy

There are many reasons for wanting to boost your mood and learn how to be happy. The meaning of happiness will vary from one person to another, but it is always good to see what makes others happy. You can find inspiration from others to apply to your life, and it can help you figure out how to be happy. Not only will you see your mood improve, but you can also use this to your advantage and work on other areas of self-improvement, such as building confidence.  

How To Be Happy
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How To Be Happy

1. Stay Busy

Staying busy is a good way to build your self-worth and be happier in life. At the end of the day, looking back to see all you have achieved will make you happy.

However, if you are too busy and feel like you don’t have enough time, this can cause stress and unhappiness. The key is to find a middle ground. Stay busy enough to prevent boredom and dissatisfaction, but don’t overdo it by pushing yourself too much.

2. Smile More

Research shows that smiling releases chemicals in your brain that help you fight off stress. Even on the days when it feels a bit too much, force a smile. You will likely find that even a forced smile will turn into a genuine one, and even if it doesn’t, it will still make you feel happier. 

Of course, if it is your smile that is a factor in your low mood, seeking regular dental assistance and checkups could be the answer. Practices such as Madison Ave Dental are there to help. 

3. Work On Your Relationships

All relationships are important, including those with your friends and your significant other. But, all relationships require work.

Studies show that having quality trusting relationships in your life will boost your happiness. These relationships provide companionship, laughter, someone to talk to, someone to listen to, and someone to share the highs and lows of everyday life with.

You will find joy in taking care of others. So, be proactive with this because relationships are a two-way street. You will get as much out as you put in. Check-in with your loved ones, partake in celebrating their successes, and engage within their lives. 

4. Treat Yourself

If you want to bring joy to someone else, it tends to be done through the concept of giving. You may give flowers, buy a gift, treat them to a day out, or any other small acts. Now, apply the same logic to yourself. You don’t need to rely on others to lift your mood.

If you are in a position to bring about your own happiness, do it. If buying flowers will lift your spirits, then buy them. You don’t need to wait around for someone else to do these kind things for you. If you treat yourself and take care of your desires, you will have figured out how to be happy.

How To Be Happy

How To Be Happy

You deserve happiness, and learning how to be happy can help you achieve it. Try implementing some of these tips in your daily life and see what happens. Do you have anything to add to the list? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Health Healthy Living How To Mental Health

Not Sure How to Boost Your Vitality? Start Here

boost your vitality

It’s a big and exciting world out there, with all sorts of amazing and interesting things to try out, people to meet, and places to go. To do any of these things, it really helps to have high energy levels. In fact, if you boost your vitality, the better your chances are of achieving your potential.

We usually know what to do about common health issues. For problems with our eyesight, for example, we consult an optometrist. But, there’s no doctor to tell you how to boost your overall vitality. Luckily, you can learn ways to boost your vitality right away.

boost your vitality
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How to Boost Your Vitality

Practice Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercises can be tremendously powerful. Since we all breathe automatically, the potential benefits of these exercises are often sorely overlooked.

In his recent highly acclaimed book, “Breath,” the writer James Nestor looks at remarkable accounts of the way our breathing can impact us. He does this both in terms of specific exercises and in everyday breathing habits.

One of the benefits listed in the book is a massive boost to energy levels when switching solely to nose breathing. Switching to nose breathing also helped the author and a friend of his reverse sleep apnea.

There is also an account of a singing coach who helped rehabilitate severe emphysema patients through exercises that strengthened their breathing muscles.

There are many breathing exercises you could try. A beneficial first step is to strengthen the inhale and exhale muscles, as suggested by Belisa Vranich.

Spend Time Each Day Walking in a Green Area

Walking around a green area each day has a powerful effect when it comes to boosting your vitality. Part of this benefit is likely the low-level exercise of walking, and part of it is likely the sunlight and fresh air. It’s also known that trees release aerosols of healing compounds into the air, as part of their natural respiration process.

If you have a safe park or meadow nearby, try to spend at least half an hour a day strolling around it.

Set A Regular Sleep Schedule

Having a disrupted sleep routine is one of the most surefire ways of losing your vitality, wellbeing, and energy, and it can even negatively impact your appearance. If your bedtime is at 10 PM one night, then at 3 AM the next, your circadian rhythm is in serious trouble.

Maintaining a set time for going to bed and waking up is an invaluable habit. With a set sleep schedule, your circadian rhythm can properly establish itself. Plus, you will experience the health benefits of deep, restorative sleep. Aim for eight hours of sleep each night for the most vitality.

Make sure to also have your final meal of the day a few hours before heading to bed. Eating close to bedtime not only disrupts sleep but also disrupts the circadian rhythm.

Boost Your Vitality

There are many different ways to boost your vitality and energy levels. Many of the most powerful ways revolve around the core pillars of physical activity, good sleep, and healthy breathing. Getting out into nature is also sure to help more than staying cooped up indoors.

Start with the basics, and see what works best for you. Do you have any other ideas for boosting your vitality? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Health Healthy Living How To Life

Make Taking Care of Your Teeth Simple With These 3 Smart Tips

Taking Care of Your Teeth

Your entire life, you have likely been told to make sure you are taking care of your teeth. The constant reminders to take care of your teeth are right when it comes to brushing and keeping them healthy.

We tend to overcomplicate the process of taking care of your teeth, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. These simple tips can help you improve your oral health right away.

Taking Care of Your Teeth
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Tips for Taking Care of Your Teeth

1. Don’t Overbrush or Brush too Hard

According to a blog on the Crawford Leishman Dental site, there is a big risk of brushing too much. Plus, brushing your teeth too hard can cause significant damage to your teeth and gums, resulting in a breakdown of the enamel. This is especially true if you use an electric toothbrush.

If you brush your teeth too much, you strip your teeth of elements that keep them healthy. It is important to look after your teeth, but stick to the guidelines, and brush your teeth twice a day.

2. Visit Your Dentist

You may think you don’t need a dentist because your teeth are fine. However, when trying to teach children the importance of good oral health, you cannot underestimate the importance of regular check-ups.

Even if you think your teeth have no issues, the reality could be very different. When it comes to your teeth, there could be things going on that you don’t recognize.

If you don’t floss, you even risk blocking arteries because food can make its way into the bloodstream. The best prevention? Check-ups.

3. Start Oral Health as Soon as Possible

Good oral hygiene is something we must teach our children because it sets them up for a solid foundation later in life. Because young adults can put their bodies through a lot, they think that they are invincible. Unfortunately, the problems that start during the young adult years start to become apparent during middle age.

You may have fillings earlier in life, but when these fillings start to break down, you will need root canals and run the risk of gum disease. Essentially, looking after your oral health is simple. Make sure you don’t eat too much sugar, drink more water, and get regular care from a dentist.

Taking Care of Your Teeth

Taking Care of Your Teeth

Since we get bombarded with the importance of taking care of our teeth, we can easily ignore the message. There is a reason for how often we are told to take care of our teeth, though. Oral health is essential, and you will be glad that you made the effort.

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Adulting Finances For the Home Home How To

Avoid Renovation Disaster in Your Home By Not Making These 7 Mistakes

Home Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

A home renovation require a lot of preparation, and planning for objectives, teams, budgets, and more is essential. If you skip any of the steps, it’s easier to make a mistake that can risk the whole project than you might think. There are some major home renovation mistakes that you should be avoiding and what you should do instead.

home renovation mistakes
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Home Renovation Mistakes

1. Buying Only Cheap Materials

There are plenty of ways to save money and cut costs during your renovations, including when it comes to your materials. You can source materials that aren’t being used from local building sites or find discounts.

However, you should make sure that you’re buying quality materials no matter what. If you’re only buying cheap and low-quality materials, then you’re a lot more likely to experience problems with them both during and after construction. In the worst-case scenario, your project will complete seemingly without a hitch, only for those materials to start breaking down months after, meaning you have to invest in repairs all over again.

2. Choosing the First Team That You Talk To

You are likely eager to get started, but you shouldn’t let that get in the way of making sure the project is done right. Take the time to talk to at least five or six contractors to get a feel for them. Do they communicate well with you? Do they understand your wants, and do you understand their plans to meet them?

We tend to overlook some of the small red flags when we’re trying to bring a team together right away. Take the time to interview different teams and compare and contrast what you did or did not like about them. You will be glad you took this time, and you will be more confident in the entire project.

3. Not Expecting to Go Over Budget

Making a budget for your home renovation is an essential step, of course. Even with a budget and funds, you still have to think about money, though.

Inaccurate estimates, changes in material costs, unforeseen workflow problems, and the like can all pump up the costs of the project. Make sure you have a little extra on top of the budget to help cover costs of the unforeseen and identify additional sources of funding like Buddy Loans. This way, even if things do go over budget, you can keep up with the payments so that the work doesn’t freeze entirely.

home renovation mistakes
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4. Not Expecting to Go Over the Schedule

No one wants to live in a home with ongoing renovations. Choosing a team of reputable contractors to help you will expedite things, but you should still avoid scheduling renovations when you have a tight schedule. Make sure you can add some time to the renovation schedule if you need it.

Otherwise, you will experience stress seeing the deadline approaching when you’re not sure everything can be completed on time. It’s also going to increase the stress the builders feel, which can make them less cooperative and force them to rush, reducing the quality of the work.

5. Not Planning For All of The Waste

If you’re doing the renovations yourself or acting as the project manager in control of a team of sub-contractors, then you can’t forget about the waste. All renovations are going to leave waste behind, and if you’re not careful, it can linger around for weeks even after the project is done.

Work to keep your home clean during the renovations by making cleaning a regular aspect of every part of the project. Look at hiring a waste removal company like Waste Connections ahead of time. If you wait until the last minute, they’re likely to be booked up by the time you need them.

6. Neglecting the Natural Character of the Home

You can modernize an older home, add space to a small space, or change the entire vibe of the property. Keep aware of the natural characteristics of the home in mind, though. Look at the fixtures that are likely to remain after your renovation is complete.

You don’t want a home that looks like it is in conflict with itself. This mistake is most often seen when updating period homes.

A good renovation preserves what works about the home already and enhances those positive characteristics. It’s typically more expensive to try and change everything about the home, too, so keeping the natural character can save you money.

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7. Entrusting it All to Friends

Asking your friends to come help with painting the walls is one thing, but refrain from asking for more. It’s not likely that they are trained contractors who are licensed and insured.

If they get injured while helping you out, you will be responsible for paying for the treatment. You could come under fire to a liability claim. Not only is this going to make your friendship much harder to maintain, but it’s going to add significant costs to the project.

Those costs are more than most homeowners are equipped to deal with. Plus, the simple truth is that working with amateurs leaves you more likely to see an amateur-ish project.

Home Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

Not every aspect of your home renovation project is going to be under your control. Outside variables can affect it in many ways, so avoiding these common home renovation mistakes is essential. With the tips above, though, you can make sure that you are as prepared as is possible.