Any renovation project is one of those things that’s exciting and intimidating in equal measure.
A home renovation will enhance the functionality, increase the value of the property, and breathe a lot of life into your living space, which is why you need to ensure you’re going into it with your eyes open.
One of the most important aspects of any renovation project is choosing the right materials, which then forces you to take into account the longevity of the project, the cost, and the ensuing success (or lack thereof).
It’s so important to buy the right materials for a renovation project, whether you are hiring a professional or not. So let’s show you what you need to consider.
The Overall Scope
Any renovation project is, first and foremost, about asking ourselves about our goals.
If you’re making a few simple upgrades, this is going to influence the type of materials you need, but also how much you will require.
For example, if you are making changes to the exterior of your property, there is a lot that you need to bear in mind here.
It’s not just about the walls that may or may not require cleaning or repainting, but there could be a number of functional issues that need addressing instantly.
These include the guttering, and when you start to think about the materials that are necessary for effective guttering to drive water away from the property, it can be a massive undertaking that requires you to upskill your knowledge but also dig deep into the specifics of what materials can and cannot create a successful solution.
While you can read more about how companies can help you with the right guttering materials, you’ve got to have a better understanding of the project’s size and objectives. This will influence much more than you realise.
Your Budget
One of the most important aspects of any renovation project is getting a real understanding of your budget early on.
Knowing how much materials cost right now is one thing that can help you make informed decisions, but you also need to look at the overall scope in relation to your budget.
High-quality materials can be a great investment that will ensure you are far more satisfied with the project in the long term.
If you have found your forever home and you are now making upgrades to it, are you able to spend that little bit more to ensure you get those perfect materials that will stay sturdy for a lot longer than a cheap and cheerful choice?
The Durability and Longevity of the Materials
Every material will have a specific life span. For example, plastic gutters that have been installed within the last 10 years could last for around 30 because of advanced formulations during the manufacturing process.
However, if you are making changes to an old home and there’s no telling how long that guttering has been there, it might be time for an upgrade.
There are simple signs that you should replace your gutters, for example, puddles of water around the exterior of your home, watermarks underneath the gutters, and visible cracks.
What we have to remember is that if the guttering is struggling to do its job of taking water away from the home, there is only one place it can go, back towards the property.
When you consider the durability and longevity and how it aligns with your project’s objectives, it might be beneficial to pay more so you can save money in the long run.
Of course, budget is always a major bone of contention, but if you are firmly settled in a new home and you plan on being there for a while having a budget calculator to hand, rather than just thinking superficially about the project, will ensure that you can get the right solution for you right now.
Looking at the Environmental Impact of Your Renovation
When it comes to choosing the right tools and materials, these days we’re all looking for more eco-friendly and sustainable options.
There are still many people who don’t think about the impacts of being sustainable, but one of the best selling points is that, actually, you will be saving yourself money in the long run.
A very good example is the insulation you can put in your attic.
Because you will be stopping heat from escaping you’re going to save money on your heating bill. When you find options that are eco-friendly and have minimal adverse effects on the environment you’ll be able to benefit in so many different ways.
Are You Willing to Maintain the Materials?
Lots of materials are low maintenance but others may require regular care. For example, if you renovate your home to incorporate a conservatory you will benefit from considering if you have what it takes to look after your conservatory in the long run.
Partly, this is down to the materials you choose for your conservatory. If we choose cheaper building materials they will require a bit more in the way of maintenance. But you’ve got to ask yourself if you are actually willing to maintain these materials in the long term.
Choosing Where to Shop
When we don’t know much about DIY, our budget will inform what we purchase. However, this is where a professional can be invaluable.
Ultimately, we don’t know what is good quality material and this is why we should, as part of our preparation, go to building supply shops and home improvement stores to see these materials in person.
The people who work in these stores might be able to provide expert advice, and getting an overall picture of the process is far more important than choosing the cheapest items.
Not everybody has an understanding of DIY beyond the basics, and as much as we’d like to crack on with a renovation project, we’ve got to slowly build up an understanding of the things we do not know as well.
It’s also worth looking at online retailers, but despite providing competitive prices, you’ve got to be cautious about what you buy and ensure that there are robust return policies in place.
Determining the Quality of the Items
It always boils down to the quality of your materials. Before you make a purchase, ensure you conduct research on the materials and the brands that you are considering, including reviews from other homeowners.
This is critical because if you end up going on builders’ merchant websites that are inundated with technical specifications and even more technical reviews that you don’t understand, you won’t have an insight into if the materials deliver what you think they will.
It’s also worth checking if the materials come with guarantees or warranties and it’s this little piece of mind that will protect you.
Don’t Forget To Measure
A very little thing but absolutely critical. “Measure twice, cut once” goes the expression and when we are ordering a certain amount of materials we’ve got to determine if we are not just under-ordering but if we end up over-ordering items.
Normally, when it comes to something like bath panels or tiles the suppliers always recommend you order roughly 10% more to account for wastage, and this is why measuring properly is absolutely critical.
Buying materials for your renovation project is an essential step that will, of course, have an impact on the outcome.
Making a number of considerations based on the needs of the project, the material selection, the budget and the overall quality will help or hinder the renovations, so think on!
Featured Image by LEEROY Agency from Pixabay
