Unfortunately, home improvement aficionados and construction professionals can miss steps if they are simply relying on their memory when they evaluate their project before closing it. To ensure everything is in order, regardless of the type of project, you need a home improvement/construction checklist. The following is a great start to your home improvement/construction project checklist. Bear in mind, the systems or components of your project that affect the whole home or that cost the most should be your top priority.
Test your electrical system. When your electrical system doesn’t work as it should, it’s a fire hazard that jeopardizes lives. Fortunately, you can improve safety by ensuring that the electrical system in construction projects is working effectively. After ensuring everything meets code regulations, test-drive the system by testing various outlets and appliances.
Plumbing systems are another major component in homes and commercial buildings. A poorly installed plumbing system can lead to backups that present health hazards and cost owners thousands. You can examine your plumbing by running all your faucets. Once they are on, make sure your hot water is working as it should, you have proper pressure, and you don’t have any leaks.
One of the most expensive systems to repair in a home or a commercial property is the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC). It’s simply not enough to make sure that it’s work properly — however, definitely check that — but you also must ensure that it’s performing as it should. A poorly ventilated home can lead to mold, which could make the residents literally ill. Turn on the heat to make sure it warms the space. Once you’ve heated the space, verify the air conditioning is working by cooling it off. To assess the ventilation, use a powered flow hood to make sure you’ve achieved proper ventilation.
Survey the roof.Roofs help support homes from the top to the bottom. A roof that’s installed properly is worth its weight in gold during severe weather and every other day of the year, to be honest. It’s critical that you take a comprehensive assessment of the rooftop to prevent faults in the roof, especially following a roofing project. You should look for leaks, missing shingles and other inconsistencies.
A problem with an entry door or a window can highlight a structural issue with your construction. Additionally, if a window or a door isn’t closing or opening as expected, the owner could eventually have moisture issues that lead to mold growth.
You can learn a lot about a structure simply by examining its foundation. Basements, crawl spaces and slab builds all require strong foundations. Hot foundations, cracks in the slab and an improper preparation of the soil can all lead to problems for homeowners. Instead of risking a lawsuit later, look for problems with draining and grading early.
Other noteworthy areas of inspection to examine before finalizing your project include checking ceilings, floorings, chimneys, stairways, drains and porches. You should consider all the potential risks and look for telltale signs that indicate there is a problem. If you have a dilemma with your home improvement or construction project, don’t hesitate to visit E.C. Barton & Co. for your home improvement needs.
Jamie G. has written countless articles about the real estate market. She has an uncanny ability to dissect complex topics and present them to audiences naturally. Her work includes topics on interest rates, multigenerational housing, and home staging.
