You’ve watched the home improvement shows on your TV screen. There’s always a moment when the builders encounter a problem during the demolition and excavation process. They put the project on pause and tell the owners the bad news — they have to direct their attention to this problem immediately. They can’t ignore it.
On TV, this scenario raises the stakes of the construction. It adds drama to the show, making the viewers hope that the builders can still manage to create the owner’s dream home with the shift in budget and schedule. You’ll stay glued to the screen until you find out those results.
This specific scenario makes for great television, but it’s also not too far off from reality. Many homeowners will encounter obstacles in the middle of their remodel. These are some common ones to expect.
Code Violations
In the middle of your renovation, your contractors might discover building code violations that need to be fixed. Many contractors will not continue with the usual work until they rectify the problem—or, if the code violation is not in their realm of expertise, they won’t continue until you hire the right professional to fix the code violation.
Code violations can be dangerous to leave untouched. For instance, not having GFCI receptacles near water sources is very risky. Without a GFCI receptacle, residents could get electrocuted if water comes in contact with the outlet.
Lead Paint
You used a lead paint testing kit and found out that your house has the potential contaminant. This is common in older houses, particularly ones that were constructed before the 1940s.
So, what can you do? Don’t do any renovations. Lead paint can be harmless when left untouched. If it’s broken or chipped, that’s when it becomes an issue. Renovation projects that will disturb the paint could release lead particles into the air, which could contribute to lead poisoning.
You will need to hire lead-safe renovators that are certified by the Environmental Protection Agency. They will know how to navigate this hazard safely.
Pests
You discover that there are pests lurking behind your walls. You will need to call pest control services to safely get rid of the infestation. It will be unsafe to continue renovation until the pest problem is dealt with — this is especially true if you have rats, mice or other vermin.
If you have signs of a termite infestation, you will need to closely inspect your home’s wooden frame to see how much has been eaten away. Termites can disrupt the structural integrity of your house, which will require immediate repairs.
Mold
It’s unhealthy to breathe in black mold spores. So, if you find signs of black mold behind your walls during renovations, you’ll have to pause your project and call a professional mold removal company. They will get rid of the fungus safely.
Budgeting for These Emergencies
Prepare your remodeling budget for these types of surprise expenses. Pad your budget with an amount that could handle emergency repairs right away, like calling pest control or a mold removal company.
If you ever need to cover an emergency expense like this and you don’t have enough savings, don’t panic. You could look into an emergency line of credit online. Click here to learn about online borrowing options available to residents of your state. You just might be eligible to apply.
Only apply for a line of credit loan when you’re dealing with an emergency. Don’t use it to fund other aspects of your home remodel, like renovating your kitchen or landscaping your yard.
Your house could have some obstacles lying behind the walls. Prepare for them!
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