May 3, 2019
4 mins read
Beginning your home renovation can be an exciting process, but that excitement can soon turn to stress if you haven’t got the planning right. Out of all the considerations to make when renovating, plumbing is one of the most important. If you’re working anywhere near your kitchen or bathroom, you’ll need to factor your pipes into your plans.
Before you get started on your next home renovation project, make sure you keep these four essential plumbing tips in mind.
Stay Organized When Renovating a Bathroom or Kitchen
Organization is key whether you’re performing a whole house renovation or improving just a single room. Your plumbing plan needs to include pipe layout and any materials that will be necessary. Failing to plan ahead could result in costly changes to your plumbing, which may set your project schedule back.
Don’t assume that plumbing can be ignored if you’re not working in your kitchen or bathroom. You could run into setbacks if you’re renovating in bedrooms or living spaces that are adjacent to pipes.
During planning you should also consider any convenient upgrades that could be made. For example, if you’re replacing flooring in a room where pipes will become accessible, you could take the opportunity to winterize with new insulation. This will give you peace of mind in the colder months to come.
Working with professional home renovation contractors is a must. You’ll get expert advice and recommendations right from the beginning of the project.
Check if You Need to Transfer Any of Your Plumbing
If you’re going with a basic remodel, then you probably won’t have to move any of your pipes. However, if you’re installing new vanities or sinks, or even a new dishwasher, you may need to route new plumbing to connect everything up.
This isn’t something that you want to discover when you’re in the middle of the project. Plumbing adds both cost and time, so this needs to be accounted for as early as possible. Again, planning and organization is key here.
Plan Around Your Appliance Choices
You’ll need to consider your plumbing as you choose your appliances. Distinctive features and new fixtures could affect your plumbing layout. Examples include replacing a single vanity with a double sink vanity, moving your kitchen sink, installing a water heater, shower, toilet, dishwasher, washing machine, and so on.
Home renovation is also the perfect time to think about efficiency. While planning your plumbing, keep your water usage in mind. High efficiency toilets, showerheads, and faucets could all reduce your utility costs over time. You could potentially save thousands over the lifetime of your home by connecting modern fixtures to your plumbing system.
Set a Budget Before any Home Renovation Project
Finally, we come to budget. This is something that should never be overlooked, and you should set yours at the very beginning of the project. A budget will guide your improvements and material choices throughout planning and installation. It will show you exactly where you may need to compromise, and where you might be able to spend a little extra to get some high-end fixtures or accessories.
Overbudgeting is also something that’s recommended in most cases. Experienced home renovation experts and even DIY enthusiasts will tell you that an extra 15% to 20% is usually the magic figure. This doesn’t mean that you must go into the project expecting to pay more than the original renovation quote – it simply ensures that you won’t be caught off guard when something unexpected pops up.
Planning is your best defense against cost overruns. Working with a reliable contractor will keep unplanned costs to a minimum, or even eliminate them in some cases.
Get Better Home Renovations Des Moines
You want your home renovations to add lasting value, comfort, and beauty to your living spaces. It makes sense that you should work with the best contractors Des Moines.
If you want a stress-free journey from design to completion, it’s time to talk to the team at HomeWorx Iowa. We offer support throughout all stages of whole home renovation and will manage your project from end to end. Superior craftsmanship and highly talented professionals ensure that you get the best results with nothing missed in the planning stages, including your plumbing!
Contact us today for better home renovation Des Moines.
