Homeowners who own property in Athens, Greece and live outside of Greece need to understand that owning property in Greece is complex when you live outside of Greece. The distance makes it difficult to oversee the construction process of your property, to verify the quality of the construction, to react to problems promptly, and to protect your property before, during, and after the construction of your home. Problems arise when small misunderstandings lead to delays, compromise the quality of your home, and increase the cost of your renovation project. What should be an exciting renovation experience turns out to be a stressful experience.
Therefore, overseeing a renovation in Athens, Greece is very important for the protection of an overseas homeowner’s property. Therefore, it is very important to hire a company that specializes in renovation oversight in Athens, Greece. Renovation oversight is more successful when the owner of the home hires a company that specializes in providing ongoing home watch services. Both companies provide the homeowner with peace of mind that their renovation has been completed correctly and that their home is being protected long after the renovation is complete.
How Renovation in Athens, Greece Differs From Other Cities
Most homeowners in other cities expect that the renovation of their home will be a smooth process that will be completed according to their original plans. However, renovating a home in Athens, Greece is different than in other cities. The renovation of an apartment in Athens, Greece is often complicated by the fact that many apartments are located in older buildings. The buildings have undocumented renovations, shared systems, and structural issues that are not apparent until the renovation of the apartment begins.
Some of the common issues that homeowners encounter when renovating a home in Athens, Greece include:
- Plumbing pipes run through the walls, floors and ceilings of the building.
- Old and new electrical wiring systems exist in the same building.
- Floors and walls may be uneven.
- Building codes and regulations vary among buildings and neighborhoods.
Unless someone is available to immediately make decisions regarding the above-mentioned issues, work may stop or proceed in ways that were not authorized by the homeowner.
Renovation oversight provides the homeowner with the ability to make decisions on their behalf when needed.
Overseas Homeowners’ Greatest Risk: Loss of Visibility
Although many overseas homeowners worry about dishonesty and poor intentions, their greatest concern is usually loss of visibility. When an overseas homeowner is away from Athens, Greece:
- They rely solely on updates from others.
- Photos conceal flaws and shortcuts taken by the contractor.
- Delays are easily disguised.
- Contractor decisions are made without the knowledge of the homeowner.
Even small deviations from the original plan may become permanent simply because no one is available to intervene early.
Renovation oversight eliminates this problem and provides the homeowner with visibility and control of the construction process.
Renovation in Athens, Greece Is A Living Process
Many overseas homeowners believe that once a contractor is hired to perform the renovation of their home, the renovation follows a predetermined plan. However, in Athens, Greece, renovation is a living process.
- Availability of materials change.
- Neighbor complaints can limit the working hours of the contractor.
- New building code requirements may be enforced by the local government.
- Problems that were not previously apparent may be discovered when the walls of the home are opened.
Any of the above mentioned events require the contractor to make quick and well-informed decisions. Renovation oversight ensures that the contractor’s decisions are aligned with the homeowner’s goals and not with convenience.
What Can Happen If There Is No Renovation Oversight
If an overseas homeowner manages their renovation remotely, they may experience similar problems.
Scope creep:
The contractor adds to the scope of the renovation “because of something else that had to be done”.
Small “necessary” changes add up and significantly increase the cost and alter the final product of the renovation.
Quality compromises:
The finishes of the renovation look acceptable in photographs but reveal flaws and defects upon closer inspection.
Delays:
Without renovation oversight, work may slow down gradually when no one is monitoring progress.
Budget overruns:
Unexpected costs are added to the project late in the process and leave the homeowner with limited options to negotiate.
Incomplete deliveries:
Projects are declared complete while important aspects of the project remain incomplete.
These types of problems are generally not caused by malice. They occur when no one is available to enforce clarity on-site.
What Renovation Oversight Entails
Active involvement, not periodic visits, is what constitutes renovation oversight.
Generally includes:
- Regular site visits to inspect the progress of the project.
- Verifying the work of the contractor against the plans of the homeowner.
- Inspecting the quality of the work of the contractor at each phase of the project.
- Coordinating the various trades involved in the renovation.
- Promptly resolving problems that arise during the project.
- Documenting and reporting all aspects of the project.
- Conducting a thorough inspection prior to releasing final payment to the contractor.
- Protecting the interests of the homeowner while allowing the contractor to work efficiently.
Small and Medium Scale Renovation Projects Require Oversight
A number of overseas homeowners assume that renovation oversight is only required for large-scale renovation projects. The truth is that small and medium-scale renovation projects are often riskier because they are viewed as less serious.
Examples of typical small and medium-scale renovation projects include:
- Bathroom renovation.
- Kitchen upgrade.
- Floor replacement.
- Upgrade of windows or doors.
- Improvements to electrical and/or plumbing systems.
All of the above-mentioned projects involve multiple trades, access to the building, and quality control. Therefore, errors in the above-mentioned projects can be expensive and difficult to rectify unless there is oversight of the project.
We provide support for both small and medium-scale renovation projects because we recognize that both types of projects are commonly underestimated and mismanaged from abroad.
Why Home Watch Is Important During Renovation
Renovation oversight alone will not be sufficient to protect your home if it is left vacant between phases of the renovation.
At that point, home watch is critical to protecting your home.
In addition to providing security for your home, home watch monitors utility usage (water and electric) and detects any potential problems that may arise during periods when the renovation is paused.
Home Watch After Renovation: An Often-Overlooked Stage
Many owners believe that once the renovation is complete, the job is done. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Many problems develop after the renovation is complete.
- Leaks may develop in newly-installed plumbing connections.
- The electrical load may behave unexpectedly due to the installation of new appliances.
- Newly-installed materials may settle.
- Minor defects may become apparent over time.
Home watch after renovation allows for early detection of problems that develop after the renovation is complete, monitors repaired areas, verifies that the renovated systems are functioning as designed, and gives you peace of mind before you return to your home.
Combining Renovation Oversight with Home Watch Provides a Continuous Solution
Renovation oversight and home watch work well together to provide a solution to a homeowner’s needs throughout the entire renovation process.
Renovation oversight ensures that the work is done correctly.
Home watch ensures that the work that is done remains protected after the renovation is complete.
Together, they close the gap where problems typically develop.
Dealing With Building Code Requirements and Neighbor Complaints
Buildings in Athens, Greece operate on relationships as much as they do on building codes.
Complaints related to noise, debris, use of shared spaces, and working hours are carefully monitored by neighbors and building managers. Complaints can cause a slowdown or cessation of work.
By hiring a company that provides renovation oversight and home watch, you will have a professional liaison to deal with your building manager and neighbors.
Your liaison will help address neighbor complaints early, prevent disputes, and keep your renovation project progressing smoothly.
Remote homeowners often do not realize that disputes are developing until work on the project has slowed or stopped.
Making Material Choices Requires On-Site Decision Making
Tiles, fixtures, cabinets, and finishes do not always perform as described on paper.
Alignment, spacing, lighting, and transitions often require on-site decisions to be made during the renovation process. Those decisions determine the final appearance of your home.
Renovation oversight provides the homeowner with the opportunity to make on-site judgments. Home watch ensures that those choices are protected after they are made.
Final Inspection and Payment Protection
One of the most critical steps in completing a renovation project is conducting a final inspection.
During the final inspection, we ensure that:
- All of the agreed-upon work has been completed.
- The finishes of the renovation meet acceptable standards.
- The systems of the renovated home are functioning as intended.
- All outstanding issues are resolved before final payment is made to the contractor.
That single step alone has saved many overseas homeowners a significant amount of money and regret.
Renovation Oversight Is Not Property Management
There is a difference between renovation oversight and property management. We do not manage rentals or guests. We do not focus on the occupancy or income of your rental property. Our focus is on ensuring that your home is protected, regardless of whether it is undergoing a renovation, between renovation phases, or long after the renovation is complete.
Who Will Benefit from a Combined Approach of Renovation Oversight and Home Watch
A combined approach of renovation oversight and home watch is ideal for homeowners who:
- Live outside of Athens, Greece.
- Are unable to travel to Athens, Greece frequently.
- Have a small or medium-scale renovation project.
- Plan to vacate their home after the renovation is complete.
- Want their home to be ready, safe, and problem-free when they return to it.
For these homeowners, separating renovation from ongoing care creates unnecessary risk.
Returning to Your Renovated Home Without Unforeseen Issues
The true benefit of renovation oversight and home watch becomes clear when you return to your home after the renovation.
You enter a home that has been completely renovated.
All systems in the home are functioning as intended.
There are no leaks, no odors, and no unresolved issues with the renovation.
That outcome is not a coincidence; it is the result of continued care.
Renovation Oversight and Home Watch Provide the Overseas Homeowner with Control
Just because an overseas homeowner lives outside of Athens, Greece does not mean that he/she/they lose control of his/her/their property.
Renovation oversight ensures that the renovation of the home is completed to the homeowner’s satisfaction.
Home watch ensures that the renovation of the home remains protected after the renovation is complete.
Together, they give the overseas homeowner confidence that his/her/their investment is cared for at all times.
Conclusion
Renovating a home in Athens, Greece while living outside of Greece can be a challenging task, but it does not have to be a risk.
By using renovation oversight and ongoing home watch services, small and medium-scale renovation projects can be successfully completed in a timely, safe and satisfactory manner.
The ultimate goal of renovation oversight and home watch is not to renovate your home. The ultimate goal is to return to a home that looks and functions as you envisioned, without surprise, stress or unfinished business.
For overseas homeowners, combining renovation oversight with home watch is not an additional expense. It is a smart way to protect your home before, during, and after the renovation.
