Golden Rules for Renovating Your Home With Smart Home Technology
The dream of buying a rundown house and renovating it into a delightful home is a common one, but there are some things that all would-be renovators need to be aware of. The finishing touches to a renovation project, such as fittings and carpets, can often be the deciding factor between success and failure, so it pays to get good advice from reputable, flooring experts like Stainmaster and other professionals in the home furnishings business. The following five golden rules should also be considered when undertaking renovations.
Homeowners have the ability to automate anything from locks to lights to air conditioning and more. With new technology popping up every day, it’s hard to stay up to date on the smart-home trend. If you are considering installing smart-home technology in your home or looking to buy a home that is equipped with some of those devices, you want to ensure you do your research so you can make educated decisions. Here are three important factors to consider!
Because a large percentage of smart-home devices rely on Wi-Fi, they are vulnerable to being hacked. Although this may not be much of a concern for devices controlling your lighting or sprinkler system, it may be for automated locks or garage openers. The initial setup costs for some smart-home technology can be daunting for homeowners, so it’s important to thoroughly map out the upfront cost versus your savings and its value to you over time. Many of these can help you be more energy efficient, reduce monthly bills, and save you time and stress. Plus, if and when you are ready to sell, smart-home technology can help improve your home’s resale value. With so many companies throwing their hats into the smart-home ring, it is can be difficult to select the right devices for your home. If you are considering automating various features in your home, you may want to take a look at the big picture and try to choose devices that are compatible with one another or that can be controlled by a singular hub.
It’s one thing to be immersed in a job, but the reality of living in the house that you’re renovating can be quite different to how your romantic imagination pictures it. It’s highly advisable to reside elsewhere while you’re undertaking renovations at a property as the stresses of living among debris, wet paint and broken fixtures over a prolonged period of time can take a serious toll on your mental and physical health. If there’s a partner involved, it may well damage strong relationships too so, where possible, keep your living arrangements separate from your DIY project. If this isn’t possible, try to designate a space or spaces of the house that are strictly renovation-free zones where you can relax without being reminded of all the hard work you still have to do.
It’s perfectly fine to admit that your renovation skills may be lacking; not everyone is a skilled tradesperson. For example, it’s wiser (and safer) to get a professional electrician in to rewire your home rather than trying to do it yourself. There are certain jobs that you should not try to do unless you are qualified and electrical work is one of them.
Though, as the previous rule stated, you need to know your limits, there are still plenty of less dangerous jobs that a home renovator can have a go at without worrying about injury. Strip walls, throw plaster up, and stain doors… Just have a go, safe in the knowledge that if something goes wrong, you can always replace fixtures or call in the professionals to fix up your handiwork. One of the beautiful things about renovating is that it allows you to potentially discover hidden talents, but you’ll never know until you try so bust out that paintbrush and give it a crack.
You could just meander from one project to the next, but work will progress a lot faster if you sit down and draft a plan of attack for the numerous stages of your home’s renovations. Don’t even think about furnishings before considering the paint scheme, and don’t even consider the paint scheme until you’re done plastering the walls. There are numerous apps and websites that can help you plan your renovation, so before diving in unprepared, take some time to plan.
Even before starting the renovations, keep a scrapbook handy and fill it with cut outs from magazines to keep track of your ideas for things like carpets, wallpapers, and furniture. You may also prefer to use Pinterest to keep all your possibilities in one place. Go wild and get funky with your ideas… After all, it’s your house, and there’s nothing wrong with dreaming big (even if the crazier ideas don’t get the green light in the end).