There are many factors that homeowners must consider when planning for a house renovation: budgets, timelines, building materials, décor, and more. It’s understandable when planning becomes difficult and things get a bit confusing.

However, before you begin remodeling your home, it’s important to have its structural integrity examined. Why? Because fixing structural problems first will save you from having to fix what has already been remodeled.

Is it possible to remodel my home before repairing my home’s foundation?

Technically you can. However, it’s not recommended. Generally, foundation repair involves lifting your house upwards. This may cause a variety of issues. For example, fractures in brick exteriors, tile cracks, sheetrock cracks and damage to plumbing pipes.

Because of these issues, it’s imperative to fix any foundation problems before beginning the renovation. Regardless of whether it is pier and beam foundation repair or slab foundation repair, it’s important to reduce the potential for damage.

How do I know my home has foundation problems?

Well, it’s simple. You just need to look out for common signs of foundation failure. They include:

  • Visible cracks or bulges in the foundation.
  • Water in the crawl space or basement.
  • Cracked glass in windows.
  • A gap between the wall and the ceiling.
  • Cracks in a tile floor.
  • Windows won’t close completely or won’t open at all.
  • Doors tend to get stuck or are difficult to shut.
  • Cracks in the walls, especially over doorways or windows.
  • Floors sloping at an angle.
  • Leaning walls (use a level for this purpose).

If you notice any of these signs, it could potentially mean that your home’s foundation is failing. Call a foundation repair expert immediately.

What does foundation repair involve and what can get damaged in the process?

Your house may need to be lifted several inches up depending on the extent of the repairs needed. This lifting has the potential to create breaks in surfaces that would require fixing.

Lifting a house can cause serious damage to your countertops, floors, roof and more. This would be money down the drain on rooms and surfaces that have recently been remodeled.

Also, when undergoing foundation repair, you should be concerned with your plumbing. Preferably, ensure your plumbing is regularly serviced even after addressing foundation issues. This is because issues with your plumbing can result after foundation repair.

Once you are done with foundation repair, experts recommend you do a hydrostatic plumbing test. With the test, you’ll be able to discover whether there is any damage to a pipe or sewer system.

What should you think about when planning for a house renovation?

Once you’re through with fixing your home’s foundation, the next thing is to plan for a successful home remodel. The following are some tips that may help you:

  • Understand your goals from the beginning. You need to understand your goals prior to deciding how extensively to renovate. Is it for resale purposes? Or will you be living there for a very long time?
  • Know your budget. Once you know your budget, stick to it. Don’t forget to include a contingency for unforeseen expenses. For example, factor in expenses for taking a hotel or eating out for a kitchen renovation.
  • Do your homework. Talk to people who’ve recently renovated their homes. This will give you a wealth of information of what you should expect during the process.
  • Understand your limits. Know what you can and can’t do about DIY renovations. For tasks that require expertise, consider finding a good contractor to help.
  • Make a master list. Make a master checklist for items you’ll need to have the best chances of success. Separate the list by items you already have, and those that you’ll need to buy.
  • Check the weather. Don’t bank on having a gorgeous weather even if you are planning a spring or summer remodel. Before beginning a job, be sure to check the long and short-term forecasts.
  • Book the help. It’s time to call in the favors from those handy family and friends if you know a renovation is on the horizon.
  • Plan a renovation-free zone. It’s a good plan to designate a renovation-free zone before starting all the mess of a remodel.

To save the most money possible, ensure you fix any foundation problems first before remodeling your home. This will help save you time and money.