A remodeling project can be a great experience for a homeowner. It gives your house a fresh, new, and exciting look. However, before planning for a house renovation, make sure your foundation is in good shape. Having the structure of your home put under scrutiny before a home remodel can save you from a lot of wasted time and money.
Is it possible to first remodel my home without fixing my home’s foundation?
Technically you can remodel but it’s definitely not advisable. Foundation repairs can cause your house to shift. This could trigger a number of issues such as tile cracks, damage to plumbing pipes and fractured bricks. The last thing you want is for your brand-new renovations to get damaged.
To avoid dealing with the aftermath of foundation repairs, a better approach is, to begin with repairing the foundation before embarking on home renovations. Irrespective of whether it is a slab foundation or pier and beam foundation repair, it is essential to reduce the possibility of damages.
How to Identify House Foundation Issues
The best way to determine if your house has foundation problems is to check for the common and visible signs of foundation failure. Some of the things you should look out for include:
- Failure of windows to close and open as required
- Presence of cracks in floor tiles
- Cracks in brick
- Doors are difficult to close
- Cracks in the foundation
- Windows have cracked glass
- Water in the basement or crawl space
- Sloping floors
- A gap between the wall and the ceiling or floor
- Leaning walls
- Cracks in walls or ceiling
Should you see any of the above signs, your house’s foundation may be in jeopardy and you need to contact an expert in foundation repair.
Foundation Repair and the Associated Risks
When a foundation is damaged, depending on the nature of repairs needed, your house may need to be lifted up a couple of inches. During the course of lifting, the surface might end up developing cracks that need to be repaired.
Lifting a house exposes it to extensive damage of the roof, floors, and countertops among others. If you have already remodeled your house, this would be a huge loss. You’ll incur extra costs to fix areas that had recently been remodeled.
What You Should Know When Planning a Home Renovation
Once you’ve completed repairing the foundation of your home, the next step is to strategize your remodeling project. The following tips will help you on your way to a successful remodeling project.
Tip #1: Get Your Goals Right from the Start of the Project
It is essential to know what you want from the beginning of the project. Are you renovating your home for resale purposes? Or will this be a renovation project to improve the livability in your current home? Establishing your goals early on will help you avoid extra expenses.
Tip #2: Determine Your Budget
Your home renovation budget will depend on the kind of renovations you plan for your house. Always have a realistic budget that is within your means. Also, don’t forget to factor in a contingency to cater for unexpected expenses.
Tip #3: Extensive Research
To have a good idea of what remodeling projects entail, doing extensive research will equip you with useful information and tips. Talk to neighbors, family, friends, and colleagues who have recently remodeled their homes to get facts about what you should expect during the project.
Tip #4: Consider Your Expertise
If you’re going for the DIY option, know what you’re capable of doing and what you cannot do. Do not attempt to perform renovation tasks which are beyond your expertise. Instead, contact a professional contractor to help you out.
Tip #5: Have a Checklist
You should have a handy checklist with all the items needed for a home remodeling project. This will help you stay organized during the process. Also, with the help of a remodeling checklist, you’ll most likely stay within your budget.
If you’re about to undergo a home remodel, you should definitely check for signs of foundation problems. Fixing foundation issues before beginning a remodeling project will help avoid the possibility of damaging your new renovations.
If you’d like an expert to inspect your foundation don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Granite Foundation Repair. We provide free foundation inspections in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.