Whether you own and live in your own apartment, or are a landlord with a tenant-occupied apartment, unless the space is new and has been designed to match your tastes and needs, you’ve probably thought about having it renovated.
While apartment renovations are a great idea, and can help bring outdated spaces into the 21st century, or simply refresh them to meet your design standards, they can be more complex than some house renovations. With communal areas to be considered and the close proximity of neighbors, not to mention building laws and corporate regulations to adhere to, apartment renovations often require tact, delicacy and above all else, professionalism.
The best way to combat all of the above successfully, and remain both on schedule and within budget, is to work with a licensed general contractor. However, before finding a reputable general contractor in your area, there are a few factors to think carefully about, and questions to answer:
Does your apartment require only cosmetic changes?
While you might be tempted to renovate your entire apartment, it may be that some carefully considered and professionally carried out cosmetic changes could give you the updates you require, at a fraction of the cost. For example, painting the walls (if your apartment is small, painting all of the walls the same color – and ideally a light color – will help light bounce around and create the illusion of space), redoing the tiling, replacing carpets and modernizing kitchen cabinetry could all serve to refresh and modernize the apartment. You could even replace your furniture and change some of the artistry on the walls to help make the entire apartment feel new and more to your taste. If tenants are occupying your apartment, or you’re seeking to upgrade to attract new tenants, try to choose neutral colors and designs that will suit all tastes, and above all else, keep things as modern as possible.
Even cosmetic changes require professionalism and skill though, and you still might find it best to work with a general contractor to make sure that the work doesn’t disrupt others in the building, and is carried out to the highest standards. Not only that, but they will be able to recommend other professionals, such as interior designers, who can ensure that you get exactly what you want from the cosmetic changes.
Is your apartment in need of major renovations?
In some instances, only a complete overhaul of the existing space will ever make an apartment feel modern, functional and welcoming, and if your apartment simply isn’t working for you, you’ll definitely benefit from the help of a licensed general contractor.
Whether you want to update your kitchen or bathroom, or make structural changes that will make the apartment more spacious and functional, all of these adjustments will require formal approvals, so be sure to plan for the necessary permissions well in advance. Working with a contractor is the best way to ensure that everything is done properly, and within the required parameters.
Apartment renovations – whether big or small, simple or complex – will almost always go more successfully with professional help from a general contractor, and while you may have to add a little more to your budget for their services, most find it money well spent, and in many cases, money well saved.