Home remodeling, (whether it be a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, etc) often times has work that is unforeseen that needs to be addressed during the construction process.  Until the walls and or ceilings are opened it is hard not only to determine the condition of what lies within but also any deficiencies that may exist.  I find that the majority of our remodeling projects do not incur unforeseen repairs, but they do occur.

It is a good practice to budget 10% – 15% for the unknown.  No one likes surprises when it comes to remodeling their home, so it makes sense to be prepared.  The majority of the homes we remodel or renovate in Northern and Central New Jersey were constructed 50 to 80 years ago, it’s prudent to have a contingency budget in place.

Here are some examples of unforeseen repairs;

  1. Structural Issues:  Sometime there is rotten wood, compromised framing or just poor construction that needs to be addressed.
  2. Electrical Issues:  The most common issue I come across is that the home was not adequately wired for today’s standards.  In older homes it is very common to find 1 circuit feeding power to the bathroom and then jumping into the hallway or adjacent bedroom.  This is the most common reason why circuit breakers trip when high amperage devices are plugged in.
  3. Plumbing Issues:  Most older home used galvanized piping which over the years can corrode, clog and leak.  When the walls and ceiling are open it is the best (and cheapest) time to make the necessary repairs.

At the start of any project I try to give my clients as much insight as possible.  Some contractors may not be as forth coming, they may know of problem that exists at the start of the job and not mention it until you’re midway through.  This is not how we operate.  Honesty and trust is paramount when choosing your contractor.