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The Jacobi Team, Century 21 Select Real Estate, Inc.The Jacobi Team, Century 21 Select Real Estate, Inc.

The Jacobi Team, Century 21 Select Real Estate, Inc.

Emmett Jacobi
Contact us by emailEmmettJacobi@gmail.com
Contact Emmett Today At 530-519-6333
Kim Jacobi
Kim@JacobiTeam.com
Contact Kim Today At 530-518-8453

1101 El Monte Ave Chico, CA 95928

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12 Hidden Renovation Costs That Can Sink Your Budget

Surprises happen. Shelling out cash on unexpected renovation costs isn’t completely avoidable — but there are plenty of hidden renovation costs you can prepare for.

Here are some of the surprising things that can set your wallet on fire during your next big project.

#1 Extra Muscle: $500


Even if you’re just clearing out the renovation space by moving boxes downstairs, you still might find yourself in need of a few strong hands.

“For the longest time, we thought we could clear out the space ourselves,” says Summer Sterling, who renovated her home’s entire top floor, including gutting the kitchen, updating two bathrooms, and vaulting a ceiling. She and her husband lived in the basement during the remodel. “Then we realized we have this gigantic furniture.” The Sterlings moved as much as they could beforehand, but the movers still cost about $500.

#2 Anxious Pups: $125 Per Week


Some pets have nerves of steel. Others cower at any unexpected noise or strangers. And construction zones are full of noisy strangers: dropping wrenches, hammering, or stomping through your home in metal-toed boots.

Monitor your dog to see how he handles the stress. If the answer is “not well,” prepare for a brief boarding — although you might find a mid-day dog walker or a short stay with Nana is soothing enough (and far less expensive).

Sterling and her husband adopted a new dog shortly before the remodel. “It was tough on our little guy,” she says. “He likes to sleep all the time.”

Their two pups doubled their time in doggie daycare — stressful for the dogs and the budget. But planning your work during your sitter’s down season can save you some cash.

#3 Dinners Out: $80 Per Week


Cooking without a kitchen challenges the best chefs — there’s a reason it’s a stalwart Top Chef challenge. Even if your kitchen remains intact during the reno, putting together a meal in a home filled with dust is no fun at all.

Sterling and her husband ate out or ordered take-out “at least three or four times a week,” she says.

Instead of single-handedly funding your favorite restaurant’s expansion, she recommends storing pre-prepped, microwaveable meals in a chest freezer. Or setting up a makeshift kitchen.

Want to know how much value upgrades will bring to your home? Reach out to us and we will send you a free report! Click here: https://listings.jacobiteam.com/idx/homevaluation

#4 Dumpster Fees: $400


Construction junk has to go somewhere. If you’re DIYing the remodel, dumpster fees might come as a surprise.

Expect to spend about $400 on your trash-mobile, but contractors can provide localized, ballpark dumpster estimates.

Once it’s in your driveway, save some extra cash by using the dumpster to ditch unwanted stuff accumulating around your house. Tired of those nasty old blinds? Say adieu, without paying extra disposal fees. Just leave room for the construction junk.

#5 Hotel Stays: $500


You’re determined to live at home during the reno, but if a contractor accidentally smashes through your bedroom wall or the noise gets too unbearable, you might find yourself packing up for a short stay in a nearby hotel.

You don’t need to book your staycation beforehand, but budgeting enough cash for a few days’ away will make the decision to abandon ship a bit less stressful. Or hole up with some friends — just make sure to bring wine and cover dinner as payment.

#6 Childcare: $175 Per Week


Checking your calendar, you realize demo day coincides with school inservice. You can’t have the adorable little rascals stomping through the dust — so off to the sitters they go. Great. Another $100 down the drain.

Keep a close eye on the calendar and pre-arrange playdates for their days off to keep your wallet in check. Or bring over Aunt Margie to keep the kids corralled (and entertained) in a spare bedroom.

#7 Labor Costs: $50 Per Hour


Delays, schedule changes, and unexpected surprises don’t just add time to the renovation — they mean paying more to the workers.

“Our labor costs wound up being much higher,” says Janet Heller, whose sink broke during a bathroom renovation — requiring multiple trips and two times the work from contractors and laborers.

Know each contractor’s hourly cost so when disaster strikes, you can budget appropriately.

#8 Professional Cleaning: $150


Your new kitchen features sparkling, brand-new marble and stunning oak cabinetry — but you can’t ignore the fine layer of sawdust covering everything.

“Construction dust is everywhere,” Sterling says. Allocate a few days for a top-to-bottom clean. Scrubbing everything yourself can save you some much-needed cash.

But if the mess is too daunting, consider hiring a service as a post-renovation treat. Even if they’re just handling the hard-to-reach spots, a little help will be more than welcome. Now all you have to do is go home, kick back, and heat up your very last frozen dinner.

#9 Office Space: $195 Per Month


Telecommuters have their own renovation challenges. How can you take a phone call with clients when a drill is whirring overhead?

“I work from home, but am unable to function with so much construction noise above me,” Sterling says. “There’s no privacy whatsoever.” But privacy doesn’t come cheap: A “flexible desk” at a co-working space can cost $195 per month — and more if you need a closed door.

Sterling leased a temporary office twice per week during the renovation and lowered costs by working out of coffee shops or a library as often as possible.

#10 Higher Utility Bills: 15%-20% Extra


Doors opening. Fans whirring. So many power tools. Is there anything in construction that doesn’t suck up energy?

“We’re living in a much smaller space, but the efficiency is terrible,” says Sterling, who spent about 15% to 20% more on electricity during the renovation. “The bloody contractors leave the windows open all the time.”

Don’t feel bad if you’re a bit of a nag. Unless the breeze is necessary (drying paint and new hardwood floors require ventilation), pop upstairs every evening to close the windows.

#11 Lawn Landscaping: $1,500


Did they really need to put their equipment on your beautiful Kentucky bluegrass? For some reason, renovating the interior can mean your lawn takes a beating that only a professional landscaper can repair.

Ask contractors beforehand if they plan on using your yard for staging, and place down tarps to protect the foliage. Or find alternative spots, like the attached garage or gravel driveway.

#12 Permits: $1,000


Before the first sledgehammer swings, sit down with your contractor (or city building department) for a detailed discussion of exactly what permits you need.

“Usually a contractor will include plans and permits,” says Charles Rinek, owner of custom home building company Rinek, Inc.

But make sure you know early on if they don’t, otherwise you’re in for a surprise. Sterling says she paid more than $1,800 in permit fees — causing major sticker shock, if you’re not expecting the bill.

Written by Jamie Wiebe, found on houselogic.com website

Hi from Emmett and Kim! We are a husband and wife real estate team here in Chico, CA with Century 21 Select Real Estate, Inc. If you have any questions about buying or selling a home please do not hesitate to reach out to us! We hope you stick around and explore our website. There is a lot of great info and you can search for homes for sale as well!

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About Us

What does a former Alaskan fisherman and a former music teacher have in common? Real Estate! Emmett and Kim teamed up in 2015 to form The Jacobi Team. Together they bring what one person alone could never do: the best qualities of two people, combined with leveraged time and focus, creating high quality, high success representation for buyers and sellers of real estate. Real Estate is not an easy career, so why do it? “Because we care about people and we love the uniqueness every person, and every property brings. We truly feel joy and satisfaction when we help someone.” -E and K

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Contact Us

Emmett Jacobi, CADRE#01896904
Contact us by emailEmmettJacobi@gmail.com
Contact us by email 530-519-6333

Kim Jacobi, CADRE#01963545
Kim@JacobiTeam.com
Contact us by email 530-518-8453

1101 El Monte Ave Chico, CA 95928

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