The Right Materials

Choosing the Right Material For a Construction Project

Two reasons to create a generous contingency fund when renovating an older property

by Frank Lynch

If you plan to renovate an older property, it's important to set up a larger-than-average contingency fund. Read on to find out why.

There may be asbestos

Many of the houses that were built during the 20th century were constructed with asbestos, a substance which has since been discovered to cause serious lung diseases in people who are exposed to it. 

If during the course of the renovation work, your contractor comes across features which they suspect may contain asbestos, you will need to address this problem before the renovation work can continue.

Unfortunately, you cannot simply tear out the parts of the property that are thought to be made from asbestos by yourself. Attempting to perform this task without professional assistance could result in tiny fragments of this substance being released into the air and inhaled by you and those standing nearby.

As such, the asbestos removal process needs to be carried out by a specialist who has the expertise, equipment and qualifications needed to carry out this task properly, without endangering themselves or those around them.

Having asbestos removed and disposed of will, of course, cost money. Because of this, it is absolutely essential to ensure that your contingency fund is large enough to cover this expense. If it isn't, your renovation project could come to a grinding halt.

There could be wet rot

Older properties often lack the insulation that is typically found in modern homes. As a result of this, they are often very damp. This, in and of itself, is not a major problem.

However, the moisture that long-term dampness generates can cause a far more serious issue; namely, wet rot. This is a type of fungus that develops on timber. In a damp property, it often grows on the house's structural framework.

Unfortunately, wet rot is extremely erosive. As such, if it develops on a property's framework, it can weaken the timber to the point that the house develops major structural problems. It can, for example, leads to cracks in the walls and sagging of the roof.

Structural repairs can be extremely expensive and, unlike other types of construction work, cannot be postponed, as a structurally-unsound property is not usually considered safe to live in.

Because of this, it is important to make sure that you have enough money in your contingency fund to pay for the repair of your property's framework if wet rot is discovered after the renovation work is already underway.


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Choosing the Right Material For a Construction Project

If you are planning to start a new construction project, you may be wondering about the best type of materials to use. About 6 months ago, I decided to carry out an extensive renovation of my home. This would involve demolishing one wall, extending the kitchen and the construction of a new patio area. I really wasn't sure which materials would be best. I consulted with a contractor and he explained the pros and cons of each material. In the end, I opted for wood and steel. I am really pleased with the end results. I hope this blog helps you to plan your construction project.