Duplex homes have come a long way over the last number of years. They solve housing issues where space is a commodity, they are more attractive than they were years ago, and they are often more affordable – because you are attached to your neighbor. If you are living in a duplex, you might have noticed that you do have to talk to your neighbor about lawn care, driveway use, and as we are going to discuss, renovations.
We’ve all seen the duplex homes where one side of the house has been renovated and the other has not. It’s not that one neighbor didn’t consult with the other, but more likely a financial reason for only one part of the house being renovated. Siding, roofing, decking, and even landscaping can be expensive and if one homeowner doesn’t have the funds to pay for such a renovation, their side of the home is going to remain the same. So how can you accomplish your renovation without disturbing your neighbor, and without worrying about how the other half of the building looks?
Have a Conversation
The first thing to do is talk to your neighbor about the renovation plans and offer to include them. If they decline, don’t press it. Obviously, the two sides of the homes are owned by different people and homeowners can do pretty much whatever they want with their half of the house. While it is better to do large outdoor renovations together for ease and aesthetics, it’s not always realistic. Discuss the timeline, estimated date of completion, and the use of the common outdoor space, such as the front yard or back yard, if they are not separated.
Plan the Renovation
Once you know whether or not your neighbor is on board, it’s time to move forward. Talking to a professional home remodeler in Kirkland, WA will be your best bet. Starting a renovation with a professional company means that you are going to stay on budget and you’ll be able to stick to your timeline. Of course, weather and other issues arise with every renovation, so we always build in a contingency into the timeline, as well as the budget so that you don’t get caught off guard with issues or unexpected expenses.
Keep it Under Control
When working in and around your neighbor’s space, you can be sure that they may not like the noise, process, and frankly, the mess that comes along with a renovation. Hopefully you have a good relationship with your neighbor. If not, it will be important to mitigate the renovation and keep it under control – and as much to your side of the property as possible. In some instances, getting up on your neighbor’s side of the roof or accessing their decking might be necessary in order to complete the renovation process. This will be true of siding and roofing projects, so be clear about that with your neighbor.
For more information about duplex remodels, reach out to the team at Eakman Construction today. We can help you plan for a renovation when your home is attached to another.