Timing is Everything

Timing is everything when it comes to a successful renovation.  You want to make sure that you do not have to wait for cabinets or flooring to arrive wasting time and money.  This is why its important to know what you will need for your renovation and when you will need it.

There are several things that may need to be ordered so these should be taken care of with in the first few weeks of the renovation.  For example the kitchen cabinets should be planned asap so that you can get the lay out for the plumbing, electrical and the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning).  Depending on the cabinets that you choose it could take 3 – 8 weeks for them to arrive so start this process early so you do not have to wait on anything.

If you are installing slab granite in the kitchen, you can order the granite once you have the schematic of the cabinets.  The granite will be put on hold until you are ready for installation at which point the exact measurements will be taken and the granite will be cut to size and installed.

The Garage is another item that should be taken care of within the first week.  The planning and building of the garage will take 1 -2 weeks but once its done you can plan the landscaping for the yard and also use the garage as storage for tools etc.

Windows should be ordered early in the renovation.  It is helpful to have the windows installed early so that if any drywall is damaged during installation it will get fixed with the rest of the drywall for the house.  If you install the windows after you have dry walled the house you will be wasting money fixing drywall that you just installed.  Windows usually take 3 weeks to get in so order them early.

In the second week the electrical, plumbing and HVAC should be done because they all need to pass inspection.  This can be the biggest hold up in your renovation because you can not move on until everything is up to code and has passed inspection. 

If you are installing wood floors order them about a week before you would like to install them.  Wood needs to acclimate to the house at least one day before they are installed to prevent warping or gaps. 

Staying ahead of your renovation will make everything run smoothly.  Making sure you have everything ordered before hand will ensure there are no unnecessary delays.

Happy renovating!