As veterans of numerous home renovations in the Perth area, we have seen every pitfall first hand. Many of our projects have been necessitated by DIY homeowners who didn’t know about these “renovation-killers” that may be lurking in your home. Also, we have been called in to repair the jobs done by other “builders” who didn’t know what they were doing. Here are a few common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Pitfall #1: Walls Can’t Support Renovations
You need to make sure your walls can handle renovations before you proceed. Common support problems are short beams, water damage and studs not being in the right place. Any of these can cause problems. Your waterproofing membrane also needs to be functional. Have the home inspected by a qualified builder who can tell you what shape your walls are in, usually by cutting an inspection hole.
Pitfall #2: Footings Can’t Support an Open Floor Plan
When you knock out load-bearing walls, the load is going to be transferred to another part of the home. That is usually the footings. The only way to be sure your footings will support an open floor renovation is by having them checked by a builder to ensure they can handle the load. This will involve the type of soil and the foundations of your home.
Pitfall #3: Second Storey Addition Causes Cracks
If your second storey addition is built of different materials, it can cause cracking. Make sure a construction joint is between the two storeys to handle varying expansion and contraction of different materials.
Call the Professionals
The best way to ensure that your home renovation goes well is to hire a professional builder. If you are going to hire a professional, hire the best in Perth: Next Level Extensions. We will make sure your home renovation is done right and done on time. Join our legion of satisfied customers by calling us today: 1300 948 094.
