House Renovations ... By Degrees!

House renovations can be a rewarding and exciting experience, but all too often it can also be costly, disruptive and stressful.

Many homeowners feel that they have to make compromises in their ideal plan in order to accommodate their budget and their schedule. Granted, as with most things in life, compromise is usually a part of most successful house renovations.

However, rather than cutting corners on features or materials, one of the compromises that you can opt for is taking more time to complete the renovations you want, on your own terms.

For instance, if you're planning a sunroom addition to your home or cottage, then why not take it in stages?

You could dig out and pour a concrete foundation in one year, and simply put in a plywood subfloor to use as a deck by the time summer rolls around. You're already enjoying your "sunroom addition" in the first year, even before your final project is completed!

In the next year, you could look at framing in your porch with a post and beam construction, and adding the roof. The following year, you could finish it off, adding in your doors and windows and siding.

The end result?

Three years of enjoying your house renovations in various stages of completion, without putting a major strain on your bankroll by rushing to do the entire project in one year.

If you're thinking of renovating by degrees, a good starting point is research and planning. First of all, what are your goals for these house renovations, and what is your timeline?

Are you planning on creating a dream kitchen where your family will spend the majority of its time for many years to come? Or are you just looking to freshen up the look, but plan to move within the next two or three years?

Defining your objectives and time frame can really help you to decide what's worth doing now, what can be done in degrees, or what's worth doing at all.

House Renovations ... Resources:

• Your public library and city planning offices can be a wealth of information on the various stages and requirements for house renovations.
• A financial institution can advise you on the most cost effective way to finance your renovation. Usually a line of credit secured against the equity you've already built up in your property is one of the most cost efficient options available to you.
• Of course, your contractor is the most important person to include in the investigation and planning process. Make sure that the contractor understands your goals not only for the immediate stage of your project, but also for any future enhancements you may be planning.
  
  Your home contractor is responsible for getting a building permit and ensuring that your long range plan conforms to the building code and regulations of your municipality. You can also find a local contractor for your house renovations here.

Don't assume you can simply add on later when the time is right. Once you're armed with the right information, you are better able to make an informed choice.