After doing everything it takes to complete a home buying process in NYC or Long Island, who wouldn't want to move right in? It would make sense to drop on your comfy sofa and forget it all while looking at your... dated kitchen. Or relax in your spacious master bathroom with... cracked tiles. However, there are certain renovations to complete before moving into your new home that will also make a perfect basis for future home improvements. To know what you should do, you must understand what you need.
Every renovation is unique
This fact is what makes every remodeling project so exciting! Even before you buy your NYC or Long Island home, you will learn about its weaknesses. It is imperative to conduct a home inspection and reveal any structural issues. However, sometimes even a healthy home doesn't conform to your needs.
With a couple of strategic improvements, it can easily become the home of your dreams. But then, you'll have to postpone your moving-in date. Don't worry; these renovations are worth the wait:
● Soundproofing
● Layout changes
● Bathroom remodeling
● Energy-efficient insulation
● Kitchen renovation
● Updating floors
True, testing a home for a couple of months would give you a clear picture of necessary renovations, but that is not always the case. Major remodeling projects are almost always the most obvious ones. And besides, if you brief experienced contractors about your habits and needs, they'll tell you what has to be done. And then do it before you move in.
Also, be careful to avoid the pitfalls of over-improving and under improving your Long Island or NYC home in the process. Each room has a recommended renovation budget that will help you stay within reasonable limits.
Eliminate notorious NYC/Long Island noise
If you don't want to find yourself on either end of a noise complaint, consider soundproofing your home. There are several types of renovations to complete before moving into your new home that will leave noise outside:
● Place a sound-attenuating layer between the subfloor and wooden flooring.
● Install glazed windows with double or triple glass panes and make them air-tight.
● Coat your walls with soundproof sheetrock.
Have you heard of acoustic paint? This coating used for soundproofing apartments blocks about 30% of noise and is a handy last touch to reduce sound transmission from and to your home.
Changes in the layout
Breaking down or raising walls? If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's that extra room is a blessing. Does it signify the end of the open space concept? It may signify for you if your family needs a home office and/or a study room. This major home renovation renders your home unlivable for at least a week, so account for it in your moving-in schedule, especially if you need to move out of your current residence before the works are done. Luckily, the NYC/Long Island area is well-served with quality storage facilities, so it should be easy to find a good solution nearby and keep your belongings safe during remodeling.
Bathroom remodeling
Expanding, remodeling an existing bathroom, or adding a new one? All these renovations should be completed before you bring in your belongings. After all, you can't truly settle in without having a room that gets the most traffic fully functional, especially if it involves more than replacing the old with new stylish bathroom equipment. In that case, you should prepare for breaking and upgrading existing tiles, making plumbing adjustments for new fixtures, attending to electrical installation and lighting, and installation of cabinetry.
Installing energy-efficient insulation
In New York, you get to enjoy all four seasons. What better way to enjoy them than by protecting your home against the extremes? If you already planned to soundproof your home, consider adding spray foam insulation, too. Making your NYC or Long Island home more energy efficient will earn it a good grade from the Department of Buildings. But also, it will help you save on bills for heating and cooling. Once you're done with drilling and filling cracks in your walls, you can add a coat of paint, bring your furniture in, and settle down.
Kitchen renovation
Of all the renovations to complete before moving into your new home, kitchen remodeling is the most demanding. Especially if you want to design your kitchen for year-round enjoyment. If you want a multipurpose kitchen space, you might need to relocate it to a more suitable position in your home. Cooking and entertaining family and guests in all seasons ask for durable materials, excellent lighting, easily accessible specialty appliances, and a free flow layout. Unless you're simply refurbishing existing kitchen elements, it's better to perform this renovation before you move i
Updating floors
What part of the home sees the most wear and tear? Even hardwood floors can succumb to scratches from heels, pet nails, sliding furniture around, exposure to direct sunlight, excess humidity, or unsuitable cleaning chemicals. If sanding doesn't resolve the problem, you might need to replace sections or entire flooring, and that takes time. You'd want to have a house empty of all furniture before starting the floor renovation. And, logically, it's best to do this before you bring in all of your items.
In the end, where should you start?
As soon as you close the deal on your new home, start planning its renovation. Many people begin the design before they close. With the excessively long lead times on so many products, it makes sense to start sooner than later. If you aren't lucky enough to find a fully remodeled NYC/Long Island home that fits your budget, you're likely to conduct at least one of the above-mentioned works. List all the changes you wish to make and consult the experts about design, building codes, permits, and fees. You'd want to make sure you have all the required permits ready before the construction work starts.
If you don't have the time to obtain the necessary documentation or skills to envision, plan, and execute a remodeling, an award-winning contractor does. Consider partnering with professionals who can help you specify renovations to complete before moving into your new home - and conduct them. There isn't a better way to invest money and time into your Long Island home remodeling than ensure it's in experts' hands.