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I believed it – a renovator’s diary.

 

Well call me stupid if I was extremely naïve when we finally decided to do some home renovating, but I had never had a renovation experience until I retired (apart from some wall papering).  I was blessed to have a builder for a dad who did any work we needed, included building on a whole new room when he was around 79 years old. He was amazing! But alas, he is not with us any more, passing away at the grand old age of 92 years. He always said that if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing well.

So after saving for many years until my retirement, we decided to renovate our old bathroom, toilet and laundry, untouched for 40 years! Here is what I learned along the way.

·         Get several quotes!

·         Make sure the builder writes instructions down! Yup, you would think that was a given.

·         Put towels or rags on the new bathroom cabinet and in the tub for the plumber. Throwing tools on these surfaces causes (wait for it) scratches.

·         If, as in my case, the builder informs you he is also a qualified painter and will do the painting, make sure he actually does it—not his workers (who are obviously not qualified painters).

·         Make sure you and the builder agree on the appropriate shower unit. I asked my builder to help choose the right shower unit. He assured me anything would be fine. When he unpacked it on arrival he was very put out because I hadn’t chosen the right one and he hadn’t quoted for the extra work involved.

·         Insist on the sales assistants giving you pros and cons when buying products and talk to others who have been through it. My builder recommended unglazed tiles for the floors as he said glazed tiles were slippery. I believed him. I mentioned this to the shop assistant and asked for his recommendation. He said either were fine. I believed him. I find that the unglazed tiles mark really easily and the marks do not come off. If there was a next time I would definitely choose the glazed. I discovered a friend used them and she did not find them at all slippery. When I bought my shower I asked for the assistant’s recommendation regarding moulded corner shelving or loose shelving. She said either are fine. I believed her. I find the loose shelving a nuisance as mould and soap collect under them and I have to keep removing them to scrub. Moulded would have been easier.

·         Make sure the tiler checks the tiles BEFORE laying them. My unglazed tiles have some serious imperfections that the tiler didn’t notice when he laid them. Unfortunately, once they are laid you can’t get a refund and it is difficult to replace them as you risk cracking the surrounding tiles.

At the end of the day, nothing is ever perfect and eventually you stop noticing the imperfections. I do love the bright, airy look of our renovated rooms.

Happy renovating and God bless.

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