The process of renovating old and condemned houses depends on the situation can vary. You may or may not need a license to rebuild. In order to have a satisfactory result, it must be carried out according to different principles and stages and be justified from different aspects. In this article, we will guide you through the steps of home remodeling in various aspects.
Including materials and expenses, how to find a good contractor.
What is reconstruction?
Literally, reconstruction means restoration in which a group of experts performs a series of operations to try to increase the life span of the building and improve living conditions. Reconstruction involves fundamental operations such as repairing and replacing plumbing and moving walls. In the case of old houses and villas, they mainly attempt to provide the best living conditions by renovating.
What is renovation?
Renovation differs from reconstruction in many ways, but many mistakenly consider the same. Renovation literally means renewal. In other words, actions are being taken to give the building a new look.
Renovation mostly make changes inside the building. Renovations often involve items such as wallpaper, dropped ceilings, and such things.
What is the cause of reconstruction? Why do we have to rebuild?
Everyone can have a specific reason for renovating his or her home. Overall, the high cost of constructing a new building lead many to reconstruct or renovate their home.
Of course, it should not be forgotten that reconstruction could have different intensities. As the depth and intensity, the cost will increase and may even exceed the cost of a new unit.
Changes in interior decoration and architecture is also one of the most common reasons for renovating homes. Changing the decoration can also have different intensities.
It may be just a matter of replacing wall coverings and flooring, and it may include enlarging the kitchen and bathrooms.
Building reconstruction process
It does not matter if your home is an apartment or a villa and how old it is, in any case, the process must be carried out according to a series of specific steps, which are listed as below.
- Select the type of reconstruction
- choosing a good contractor
- Specify the amount of budget
- Designing
- necessary permits
- planning
- Destruction
- Start of reconstruction
- Check the quality and defined standards
Final approval
first stage; Select the type of reconstruction
Reconstruction also has different types and therefore can affect other stages as well. Renovation can include construction that doesn’t require a permit.
First, you need to determine what kind of reconstruction you consider. Is it enough to change the decoration by replacing the ceramic tiles or do you need deeper repairs such as replacing the plumbing or even changing some parts of the house?
List down all the operations you need to perform from the beginning. For example, to enlarge the kitchen, the following set of construction is required.
Demolition of the party wall with one of the rooms in order to provide the required space
* Remove the kitchen counter
* Removing and replacing cabinets
* Relocation of oven, dishwasher and laundry
* Demolition of new plumbing site
* Perform the plumbing
* Apply common walls of the room and kitchen
* Re-plastering the destroyed wall
* Ceramic execution
* Counter installation
Making a to do list will play an important role in the continuation of your old house and apartment renovation process. On the other hand, it simplifies other steps, such as planning and the expenses.
Second stage; Choose a good contractor
Who is a good contractor? A good contractor should be selected apart from the familiarity and others suggestions. You must consider the intensity of your work and choose a contractor. If the reconstruction is costly and intensive, then you should be more obsessed with choosing a contractor.
Third level; Budgeting and estimating expenses
After selecting a contractor, it is time to manage budget and the cost of the renovating process. There are two ways to do this. First, it only considered a certain and limited amount of budget for the reconstruction. In your estimation, first try to answer the following questions.
1. How much is your budget for reconstruction?
2. Which part of the house needs to be renovated?
3. How much is the area for reconstruction?
4. What style and design are you interested in?
5. What materials do you want to use?
6. What facilities do you plan to use?
On the other hand, you can accurately estimate the cost of what you want with the help of a contractor. Although it’s not always accurate because of many details, and the total cost of reconstruction may be more or less than estimated.
Step Five; Design and ideas
Once you’ve figured out what you really expect from the remodeling process, you need to note everything you want on paper. Combine your tastes and family members’ taste with the experts. Try to consider all the different parts of the house that need to be renovated in your design.
The sketch design of the renovated house gives you a basic and general view of the result. Therefore, you will be able to comment better for small and large changes. If your renovation leads to a change of use, you must also submit your plan to the authorities for approval.
Step Six; Starting reconstruction
After the demolition and cleaning of the space of debris, it is necessary to carry out the process according to the plan that has been prepared in advance.
In general, reconstruction will include the following; depending on the type of reconstruction, many of the following steps will not be applicable.
If the facade needs to be reconstructed, it is wise to install appropriate safety equipment on the pedestrian.
Ensure that gas, electricity and water are cut off in the wiring and internal plumbing of the house
Separate all fixtures such as valves, cabinets, doors and windows
Demolition of floor tiles and ceramics in various parts of the house, including living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms.
Demolition of non-load-bearing walls if it is needed to be removed in order to different usage.
Note that according to the rules of the Engineering System Organization, any change requires a license, which we will be discussed in the following.
Demolition of load-bearing walls if necessary and highly qualified people should be inquired.
Cementing the floors and walls of different parts of the house, including the living room, bedrooms and bathrooms
Insulation of toilets after drying of cementing
Implementation of plumbing and electrical cabling according to the new plan
Plastering and finishing old and new walls
Installing new doors and windows
Renovation of the roof based on a new design, such as the dropped ceiling
Start flooring different parts of the building based on the details of the plan
Start implementing a new facade of the building if needed
Painting the walls
new cabinets installation
Installation of electrical equipment such as switches, sockets and lighting
Install of parquet or wallpaper
Installation of interior doors of the building, including rooms and bathrooms
Installation of valves, sinks and toilets
Final cleaning
Step 7; Check quality and standards
Undoubtedly, it will be difficult for you, to monitor all the details of the reconstruction process, as an employer .
Which materials with what quality will be used, must be mentioned in the contract.
Another solution is to prepare the materials yourself.
At the end of each stage, try to check the quality and standards in it and make sure that your wishes are fulfilled.