A Step-By-Step Guide To Renovating Your Home Before Typhoon Season

Home ownership is one thing; keeping it in good shape is another. To make sure that your house won’t go beyond repair, you need to renovate it every now and then.

From changing your home’s aesthetic to beefing up your defenses against typhoons, there is no downside to home renovation. Except, perhaps, that it requires a hefty sum, which means you have to prepare a good amount of money before you even think about doing a simple paint job.

Refurbishing your house can also make its value go up. So if you want your dream home to last more than a lifetime, it’s time to bring those job orders back. Let this infographic guide you on the steps:

A Step-By-Step Guide To Renovating Your Home Before Typhoon Season

Assess the structure’s condition. Check for damages in the following areas:

  • Roof and rain gutter. Check for signs of corrosion and water intrusion.
  • Walls. Check for cracks, as well as discoloration, spots, and trapped bubbles from water damage.
  • Windows and glass panes. Check for cracked frames for slanting or leaning structures; corrosion on metal parts; cracks on glass that could lead to breakage
  • Ceiling. Make sure it’s free of discoloration and spots from water damage as well as rotting.
  • Electrical wiring. Check the wirings for wounded portions. Use a test light to see if outlets are working.
  • Plumbing. Yellowish or murky water coming out of the faucet may mean rusty pipes with iron and manganese deposits in it already. Weak water pressure may mean there’s a leak in the pipe. Toilet and sink lines should inspected for clogs.
  • Floor. Ditch the linoleum and prepare to make the switch to either tiles or hardwood.
  • Toilet and bath. Prepare bathroom tiles for regrouting. If your toilet is old, replace it with a more water-conserving unit.

Pro tip: If you think you’re not qualified enough to do the job, hire a professional to diagnose your place.

Prepare your budget

  • Get an estimate of the repair costs by making a trip to the hardware.
  • Unless you are a Renaissance Man, factor in the cost of labor too.
  • If you cannot do a total renovation, then prioritize the items that badly need renovation.

Pro tip: Allocate around 10 to 20 percent of your total budget for unforeseen expenses such as accidental material damage and personal accidents.

Assemble the crew

  • Hire people based on their specialty.
  • More important, don’t skimp on the budget, unless you also want them to skimp on the quality of work.
  • Make sure you get a registered company for accountability purposes.
    – If you can do a certain job by yourself, then exclude it in the quote.

Pro tip: If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid contractors that make impossible promises or incredibly low rates. Remember, you get what you pay for.

Secure a building permit

  • The Building Code of the Philippines requires it, you know.

Renovate to increase the value too

Don’t just think about improving your home’s structure. Think long term and improve your house as if you’re going to sell it!

  • A good paint job can make your home prettier as well as more expensive.
  • Replacing the ceiling and floor will not just make your structure sound but also eye-catching.
  • Kitchen improvements may be costly but they are one of the biggest draws to potential buyers.
  • If you have a lawn, get a professional landscape architect to spruce up your garden.
  • Home extensions make your place roomier if your lot area permits it. If horizontal expansion is impossible, then go all the way up.
  • While furniture shopping is expensive, a fully furnished house is more attractive to people looking for fully furnished homes.

Pro tip: It takes some serious money to afford these additional renovations, but you can save more if you do everything in one single job order.