8 Easy Tips to Safely Renovate Your House While On a Budget

We know that renovating your home can be costly, so you might not want to hire professionals or use high-end products because it would take years to get the result you wanted. But that means you need to be extra careful when performing these restorations on your own, otherwise, you can harm yourself. So, we compiled a simple guide on how to fix your house while on a budget.

8 Easy Tips to Safely Renovate Your House While On a Budget
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Check the home structure

You might have an older house, and even if the structure might’ve been done with better products, it still can be compromised by the years and years of weather conditions and other factors. For example, flooding or water build-up could’ve affected the foundation. So, look into your basement and check if there are cracks in the walls, mould or mildew. These can indicate that the wood structure might be rotten where the water has intruded. 

Then, take the floor plan of the house and go through the gas, water and electrical lines, and even load-bearing walls. It is helpful, especially when you plan to move some of your appliances or need to replace some of the wires. If you don’t have the plan, you’ll need to turn off the electricity and do some digging to find the lines. 

Make the renovation plan 

Redesigning your house needs a plan so that you can estimate the costs and see if you’re able to finish the project or have to stop in the middle of the construction. Otherwise, you might end up rushing and making unsafe decisions and spending more money than planned. 

That’s why you need to see and understand how the building was constructed and what are the safety hazards that you might encounter on the way. Find someone that can help you make the plan. It’s better to have more ideas and views on the renovation ―and most importantly, don’t rush! Take the time to perfect your plan to make the most out of your budget. 

Have a living space separated from the reconstruction zone

You might be tempted to bring everything down when renovating the entire house, but that’s not advisable. If you have nowhere else to go in the process of renovation, keep one room for sleeping and living while working on the project. This will help you have a space for taking a break from work, as well as not having to rent another apartment. But know that it might not be as comfortable as before. 

Keep your worksite clean 

Keeping the worksite clean is the best practice to avoid injuries and stay organised. If you don’t want to lose your tools or make a mess that’ll slow you down, learn to declutter the space after you do something constantly. Plus, a special space for disposing of the trash properly is absolutely necessary. 

To keep yourself safe from accidents, have gloves, pants that cover your legs, a construction hat and a belt to protect your waist in case you’ll be lifting heavy materials. You also need to know how to handle your tools, so it’s best to take some time to research and test before actually starting to work. 

Accidents are more common than you’d think, and, according to medicalnegligenceclaimscare.org.uk, some injuries might be more difficult to diagnose than others, leading to misdiagnosing or prescription errors. In such a case, you may be a victim of medical negligence, and that’s why you can make a compensation claim if you suffered from medical staff breaching their duty of care. 

Check the detectors

Some materials can become toxic during the renovation, and the air quality can be compromised. Therefore, make sure the detectors for carbon monoxide, smoke and fire are in working condition, so you can avoid having health problems. Some construction materials that can become toxic are polyurethane spray foam and construction adhesives, paint fumes, adhesives, glues and more. 

Don’t forget to have your space ventilated because you may cover it unintentionally, which can lead to a gas build-up. It’s also best to control the dust levels, especially if you have sensitive airways. Always wear a mask when the dust is flying and know to seek medical help if you develop a cough with sputum production and fever. 

Be wary of the black mould

Mould is especially dangerous for your health because it can trigger airway narrowing or sinus problems in allergic people. Moreover, it will affect your house by causing materials to rot and fall apart. Wooden studs in walls, ceiling tiles or floorboards are the most exposed as water and humidity usually get there quickly. 

After checking the water lines, you’ll be able to tell where there is the most moisture and where to look for mould and eliminate it. In some cases, you can wash it with a bleach solution and put mould paint over it, but in extreme cases, it’s better to call a professional mould remover to fix the issue. 

Turn off the electricity 

When dealing with electrical work, it’s absolutely necessary to turn off the electricity, even if it means you’ll turn it on and off many times. Remember that you’re not a professional electrician, and even if anyone can do this, it’s best to remain safe. You don’t know when an electric wire gets hazardous, and electricity accidents can be pretty damaging in the long run. 

Take care of your health 

Lastly, learn to take care of your health. Try to have a decent sleep schedule and eat plenty of nutritious food so that you have the required energy to conduct your renovation plan. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask your friends or relatives to help you from time to time or even call an expert, but know that whatever you do, the project will still take some time to complete. If you starve yourself or spend all your time working, your health might deteriorate, and you won’t be able to stick to the plan. 

In conclusion, you can safely renovate your house by yourself, but you need to set some limits, know all the procedures and techniques of using the tools correctly, and learn how to behave when your health is in danger. 

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