Planning a Metro Atlanta home improvement project and think you have it what it's going to cost all figured out? Better think again.
We've touched on the importance of making sure you have made a budget in other articles we've posted on this subject. Even when people make a budget, what they often forget is to factor in for the unknown surprises that always seem to crop up.
It's always a good idea to budget 20 to 30 percent over your remodeling estimate so you're covered no matter what. Here's just a sampling of some of the surprises you might encounter when tackling a Metro Atlanta home improvement job.
Metro Atlanta Home Improvement – Hidden Horrors
If demolition reveals a colony of creepy pests lurking beneath your drywall, you'll have to call in the pest control experts to evict them before work can move forward. Insects and vermin are just one of the unpleasant surprises you might discover — you never truly know what's going on behind the walls until you tear them out. Prepare for the possibility of mold, faulty wiring or plumbing, asbestos and other pricey pitfalls.
Metro Atlanta Home Improvement – Storage Issues
You'll need to stash your stuff somewhere while your Metro Atlanta home improvement work is in progress. If you don't have a garage, attic, basement or a willing friend with a large spare room, you may need to rent an offsite storage unit for the duration of your project. Depending on size and other factors, these units can cost anywhere from $20 to a few hundred dollars a month.
Metro Atlanta Home Improvement – Higher Utility Bills
Who's electricity powers all those table saws, nail guns, paint sprayers and floor sanders? That's right — yours! In addition, heavy traffic in and out of the house could cause your heating and cooling bills to escalate, especially in hot or cold weather.
Metro Atlanta Home Improvement – Eating Out
Does your Metro Atlanta home improvement project include a kitchen makeover? You won't be whipping up meals in your brand new kitchen for a while, and you can spend a small fortune on restaurant meals and takeout in the meantime. Even prepared or microwaveable foods cost significantly more than cooking from scratch, so add this cost into your budget.
Metro Atlanta Home Improvement – Higher Property Taxes
Major additions or updates, particularly in spaces such as kitchens and baths, can increase your home's assessed value, and that can enlarge your tax bill. Assessors typically get copies of building permit applications, so they'll know about your project and may determine that it warrants upgrading your home's value.
These are just a few of the many costs you may need to factor in when planning the budget for your Metro Atlanta home improvement project.
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