3 Areas of Your Home That Could Use the Expertise of a General Contractor When Renovating in Manhattan, NY
Planning a renovation? The complexity of a renovation, where a home’s quirks and mysteries are uncovered during the process - as opposed to a relatively straightforward ground-up build - means having professional help is essential. Whether you plan to stay in your home for many years, or you’re renovating key areas for a quick sale, you want to make sure you hire a qualified specialist to do the job right. If you’re on the fence about hiring a contractor, here are 3 areas of your home that could use the expertise of a general contractor when renovating in Manhattan, NY.
Do I Need a Contractor?
If your home renovation project is relatively small, you may wonder if you need a contractor or if you or a handyman can do the job.
But think beyond size and scope (assuming that you have the time and expertise to do the work yourself). A licensed general contractor has the expertise to assume the responsibility of any job. They will ensure that the work is done to code, within your budget and timeline, to your design satisfaction, and with safety in mind.
If your project involves replacing doors or windows, laying flooring, or installing new kitchen cabinetry, then you probably don’t need a general contractor. However, any project that involves electricity, plumbing, or structural work, you’re much better off working with a general contractor. Here are some areas where a contractor’s expertise is particularly valuable.
Wet Areas: Kitchen and Bathroom(s)
Certain areas of the home are more challenging to renovate than others: namely, the kitchen and bathrooms. Plumbing, electrical, and heating and cooling upgrades are the first challenges that come to mind. Older homes often have somewhat sketchy wiring that will need replacing. Plumbing may involve lead pipes, depending on the age of the home.
And unfortunately, both kitchens and bathrooms often have hidden water damage that isn’t evident until the walls are opened up. Years of splashing, spills, and even wet-mopping an improperly sealed floor can mean very difficult repairs down the road. The damage can be cosmetic, which could be a relatively simple fix. However, if the damage has affected the home’s structure, you definitely want to be working with a professional who is qualified to assess the damage and repair it properly.
Removing Walls
Older homes with a chopped-up floorplan just beg to be opened up to let light into dark rooms, improve traffic flow, create more usable space, and give the home a more modern flair. While removing walls can be very satisfying, it’s also a potential problem.
Anytime a wall is removed to open up a space, it’s important to determine whether that wall is load-bearing and if so, how its structural support will be replaced. Not only that, but any electrical wiring or plumbing that is in the wall will need to be moved as well.
While all of this is doable by a handy DIY homeowner or a handyman, a general contractor can do it faster, and more importantly, safer - especially since most walls have electrical wiring.
Vaulting the Ceiling
Older homes often have low ceilings which make rooms feel dark and cramped. In a single-story home, the ceilings can be vaulted with stunning results. Even though the home’s footprint doesn’t change, the added vertical space makes the space feel much larger than it is, which is why vaulting ceilings is such a popular renovation project. This is a project best left to professionals.
Every part of the roof trusses are essential to the structural integrity of the home. Roof trusses must be removed to vault the ceiling - and this means that the roof has to be supported in a different way.
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