Renovations are a great way to breathe a new lease of life into a home, and they’ll increase the value of the property. During the renovation, you need to ensure you stay safe, which means putting appropriate measures in place. However, you will likely come across unexpected hazards that you didn’t account for, so let’s take a look at the most common.
Structural Issues
When foundation problems are overlooked, they begin to crack walls and floors, which usually involve additional foundations or footings to repair; this is an expensive job. Typically, a weak foundation will need underpinning, which will set you back around £1500-£2600 (per square meter) and likely reduce the value of your property by around 25%.
Outside of the additional costs of strengthening, a weak foundation makes your home unstable and unsafe, which is a hazard to you and your family.
Electrical Dangers
Electrical issues are among the leading causes of house fires, according to data presented by UK National Statistics. This can be anything from an overloaded circuit to faulty wiring, which you need to be mindful of during your renovation.
The best way to ensure your renovation is safe is by having an electrical test certificate carried out. This will assess your entire home electrical system for any defects, which you can then repair. When you’re budgeting for your renovation, be sure to include the EICR certificate cost; follow this link to get a quote for an EICR certificate. The EICR cost will be less than you think.
If you’re renovating your home and intending to rent, you should note that having an EICR certificate is a mandatory part of demonstrating safety, and it will last for five years.
Poor Plumbing
Plumping problems are difficult to foresee, as they’re hidden under the floors and in walls. One of the most common issues is poor waterproofing, which ends up rotting wood and bringing up mould on walls. Unfortunately, the damage is usually done before plumbing problems are found, and it will take several different types of tradespersons to fix. The best way to avoid repair costs is by having a professional carry out the work in the first place, whether you’re proficient at plumbing or not.
Presence of Asbestos
In the UK, asbestos has been banned since 1999 but it was once a primary product used in construction, which means there could be over a million properties containing the material. If asbestos remains intact, there’s zero harm. However, once it begins to crumble, it releases harmful materials into the air, which can cause cancers and other serious medical conditions.
If you find asbestos in your home and it’s not damaged, guidelines state you don’t need to do anything. It should only be safely removed if it becomes damaged, and this job will need to be carried out by a professional.
Take Away
Home renovations are supposed to be exciting, but they’re also dangerous, which means you need to be prepared. If you are ever unsure about carrying out a job, hire a professional or have it checked over.
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