Renovating Your Crested Butte Home
Water Damage, Timelines, Delays, Cost Overruns. These are just a few things to be aware of.
Are you buying a home in Crested Butte that needs a little work? What about your existing home? You want to update it or get it renovated before selling?
You just found a home that you like here. The layout is perfect. The kitchen is huge and there’s plenty of room. BUT wait. The kitchen is actually outdated. The floors need to be redone and the bathrooms are..well.. weird.
These things all need updating. The house is the right price and you think you can tackle those renovations or have someone do them for you. You got this. You can customize your home how you want it, right? So, you buy it.
But beware, there’s a few things you probably need to consider:
Your Crested Butte Home Timeline
It can take a long time to renovate your home. Currently we see Crested Butte area contractors are very busy and pretty backed-up with work…
This actually can be a good thing because I usually recommend a buyer uses the home for a summer season and a winter season before they make big decisions about renovating or remodeling. If you are going to spend the money – and likely not be able to use the home during construction, you want to make sure you are making changes that make sense.
It’s not just the labor that will affect your timeline. It is scheduling the labor and having subcontractors hit their deadlines.
I had a client who had an issue with the new hardwood floors. They put the project on hold until they resolved this issue – this backed-up all the other subcontractors. The trim guys had another job and so they were not available for 6 weeks… then the painter was super busy and had to push back their timeline… domino effect.
Just be prepared and hire a really good architect, designer and general contractor. There will be plans, approvals, permits, shipping time for the materials, weather delays (especially is Crested Butte in the winter), insurance certificates.
Delays. Delays. Delays.
There’s always the possibility of ‘surprises’, unfortunately. Especially in the kitchen or bathrooms. Because we are at high altitude and it is dry – we typically don’t see mold, but older homes may have asbestos and the exterior walls may not be structurally sound for the snow load or upstairs expansion. These discoveries will need to be addressed – and can lead to delays.
Older homes may need updates to bring them up to code too. It is a good idea to discuss this with your architect or general contractor as some older homes may not meet the current code and could require updates to match safety requirements, or town code. You don’t want it to affect selling your home down the road.
I had a client who was renovating a property in downtown
Crested Butte and there were two small homes on the property and an old shed. They found out that the shed was 6 feet into the right of way. They wanted to subdivide the property. There was some horse-trading and the town of Crested Butte agreed to the subdivision – with the provision that they relocate the shed and put it on a proper foundation (that was about $30,000 additional expense). They got the subdivision and both homes sold – and they made a nice profit.
Where Will You Be Living?
Will you be staying in your home while it’s being renovated? You may need to plan to stay somewhere else during this time. You will also have to watch out for the tools and sharp objects scattered around your home. It’s probably best to live at a different location or if you are a second homeowner – try to schedule the work in the off-season when you are not going to be using the home. This is also hard because most everyone who lives in Crested Butte – including local subcontractors wants to get out of town and go some place warm in April. Fall is hunting season for deer and elk and this can affect work schedules also.
Extra Costs
When there’s hidden delays, there’s usually hidden costs. Always plan for contingencies and extra costs so you aren’t surprised or in a bad situation. This could really affect your renovation if you aren’t prepared. You probably don’t want it to get half way done and then you can’t finish it, right?
Are You Considering Buying or Selling a Home in the Crested Butte Area?
Contact me to help you. I have been in your shoes – as both a Second Home Buyer and Seller here in Crested Butte.
The Crested Butte area offers a wide variety of properties including ski in/ski out single family homes, ski-in/ski-out condominiums, lake and river frontage properties, golf course property, quality homes in Downtown Crested Butte, and true fine mountain homes on acreage.
To see Crested Butte Homes For Sale or search the MLS – visit ChrisKopf.com.
If you are considering Selling your Crested Butte home and are interested in finding out what your existing property is worth – call me. How is the Crested Butte Real Estate Market doing?
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I have consistently been a Top Real Estate Agent in Crested Butte, and I appreciate the opportunity to earn your business and be your Crested Butte Real Estate Agent.
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Please Contact me at:
Chris Kopf
Broker / Owner
Global Luxury Property Specialist
Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties
Chris.Kopf@CBMP.com
(970) 209-5405
