Congratulations on buying a new home in Portland, Oregon!
Portland unswervingly ranks as one of the most vibrant and safest cities in the United States, with a low crime rate, a strong community policing presence, and numerous places to explore. Hence, bringing your baggage to Portland’s doorsteps is a no-brainer.
However, at the same time, homeownership and deciding to shift to a new place are two of the most important decisions anyone can ever make. In short, just because you have the keys to your new house doesn’t mean the home is ready for you.
This brings us to a point called ‘settling in.’ To settle into your new house, you need to be able to put your stamp on it. In this regard, a little bit of renovation can come in handy. Renovations can customize the space and make it feel like your own. You may want to consider updating the kitchen or bathroom, painting the walls a different color, or adding new flooring to create a fresh look. These changes can make a big difference in how you feel about your new home and help create a space that reflects your personality and lifestyle.
So without further ado, here are some renovation tips that can help you make the most of your newly bought home in Portland:
Set a Budget
Before you become heavily attached to that Instagram photo of a modern-day patio, take your time and do the math. You may get a fair clue of how much your project would cost by browsing the aisles of your neighborhood hardware or design stores. Comparing renovation prices is especially important in Portland, Oregon, because it is a city where the cost of living is relatively high. Therefore, ensuring you get a fair price for your work is crucial to staying within your budget.
Also, during such a renovation, consider renting a porta-potty so that a convenient bathroom is available. In this context, finding a porta potty rental in Portland, Oregon, from American Sanican is an excellent choice. Their rentals are reliable and comfortable, and they provide a range of services to meet your needs, and they offer services that include delivery, installation, and pickup.
Put the Upgrades That Will Have the Most Impact First
It’s crucial to give the modifications that will have the most impact priority when remodeling a new home. For instance, remodeling the kitchen or bathroom can significantly alter the home’s appearance and atmosphere. Renovations to these spaces, which are also the ones that are utilized the most frequently, can make your life easier. It’s crucial to prioritize renovations while considering your demands and way of life. For instance, if you work from home, you might want to make soundproofing a room or setting up a home office a priority. Similarly, if you have young kids, you should make the house kid-friendly by including safety measures and designating play areas.
Consider Upgrading or Replacing the Flooring
Your home will need room on the floor for everything that isn’t fixed to a wall. Before moving in, it is imperative to complete any floor replacement or refinishing work. There’s no need to fill up the impacted rooms in advance because anyone you employ to undertake the work will need access to unoccupied spaces. Even if you perform the work yourself, moving your possessions will be necessary, significantly increasing the time it takes to finish the process and making it more difficult.
Pay Attention to Electric and Plumbing Updates
Consider completing these tasks before moving if the home you’re purchasing needs significant improvements to the plumbing or electrical systems, for example. If you are undertaking substantial renovations, the work may entail removing portions of the flooring or walls to make room for new wiring or pipes. You’ll probably also be painting walls or making flooring repairs because the demolition and subsequent drywall repairs will produce a lot of dust.
Think About Energy Efficiency
You can save hefty utility bills in your new home by installing energy-efficient lighting and upgrading your appliances. This is advantageous for the environment as well as your financial situation. So, when selecting appliances for your new home, search for the energy star label, which ensures that it satisfies stringent requirements for energy efficiency. Similarly, choose LED bulbs over conventional incandescent ones when choosing illumination since they consume less energy and have a longer lifespan.
Think About Energy Efficiency
Painting the ceilings and walls before moving into a new house is smart. By doing this, the new home will look tidy and clean. Since you won’t need to move furniture or appliances to paint any areas of your home, it will also save you effort and time over the long run. The house size, the number of rooms you want to paint, the type of paint you use, etc., all affect how long it takes to paint the ceilings and walls. Before painting, ensure your furniture is covered in plastic sheets to prevent stains. But since you’re doing this before moving in, you’ll have fewer responsibilities and concerns while repainting.
Contact Pest Control
It doesn’t matter if you can’t see any rodents, bugs, or other pests in your house—they could still be there and decide to move in—because they still exist. By contacting pest control, you can stop roaches, ants, and other insects from making your home their home. Also, if you reside where these pests are common, you might want to have yearly inspections for larger pests like squirrels.
Wrapping Up
Renovating a new home can be an exciting and rewarding experience that helps you settle in and make the space your own. However, before jumping into any renovations, it’s essential to consider the tips above. While many of these renovation ideas can happen while you are already settled into your home, you will likely be less stressed if you check them off your list beforehand. Lastly, be patient and take your time to plan and execute the renovations to avoid any potential mistakes or regrets. With some planning, you can enjoy a successful renovation that helps you create the home of your dreams.
