Owning a house in the country is a dream-come-true for many people ... but maintaining and repairing country properties can be a challenge. Changeable weather, washed-out roads, a limited number of local suppliers, and contractors who disappear during hunting season are just a few of the obstacles the owner will face while they try to keep this building in good shape. Here are some tips that may make the project a little easier.

• Get a thorough, professional home inspection. It’s not uncommon to find that country properties were built by the original occupants … who were not professional contractors. This means they may not have been built according to the building codes, and you won’t know what to expect when you open up walls or floors to make repairs.
  
  
• You may come across symptoms of a problem that you can’t see. A bowed wall or a bouncy floor for example, is a sure sign of trouble. Work with a designer that has years of experience renovating hand-built properties, they’ll have a pretty good idea of what might be causing the problem. Ask the contractor to open up the problem area before he does any other work. Clarify the repair required. Negotiate the cost of this additional work before you allow the contractor to continue.
  
  
• Plan ahead! Order your materials well in advance, have them all on hand before you begin work, and have a weather tight place to store them while you’re working.

And allow for all of these special considerations when you set your construction schedule.

MORE INFORMATION

You’ll find lots more information about the home remodeling process in Managing a Renovation: Staying in Charge and Out of Trouble, our friendly and comprehensive homeowner’s guide to remodeling project management. Download the table of contents and a sample chapter, or go to the order form to purchase it.

We offer ready-to-use construction forms, including a complete remodeling contract, in our Bookstore, as well. Have a look.

And, you may want to look at our list of More Resources for some great design ideas.

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