One of the biggest undertaking homeowners do is remodel their home. When planning the project, they need to do detail planning to lower their chances of having regrets after completing the project. Some homeowners fail in this regard. This can lead to regrets later which can be defined as blunders that were preventable. Following is a discussion concerning regrets:
Budgeting – Underestimating the cost to do the project can be a serious misstate. This can prevent homeowners completing the project, incur a financial loss, or lead to future financial problems. It is important to have detail construction plans in order to make an accurate estimate for the project. After estimating the cost of project add additional 10 to 20 percent to your budget as a buffer for unexpected cost that you may incur during the remodeling project.
Do It Yourself (DIY) – Before you decide to DIY, be sure you understood how to perform all phases of the remodeling project and make sure you have the proper tools. Not having the proper tools is probably a sure way defects will show up in the completed project. Remember it is not always cheaper to do the project yourself, and it may take a longer time to complete the project versus hiring a pro. If you are not sure of your capability, tackle only the phases that you are comfortable with, such as painting and landscaping jobs.
Contractor - Beware of contractors that provide the cheapest estimate. Request references from each contractor and personally speak with these references concerning quality and timeliness of their work. Recommend getting at least 3 quotes from different contractors. Different contractors perform work differently using different quality of products and procedures to complete the task. Be sure you have a written contract with enough detail about materials to be used, procedure, and time for completing the remodeling job. Finally, have the payment schedule defined. Never give a 100% down payment upfront.
Definition of Project – The home remodeling project needs to be defined correctly. It should be defined in writing using the proper words to describe how and when it should be completed. Some projects there should be a drawing that shows what the completed should look like. As a homeowner you need to educate yourself beforehand on the proper terminology to use when communicating with a pro. This can be done by going online and using books and magazines. If possible, extract pictures from these sources to get your point communicated to the pro.
Construction Material – Need to spend some time researching various materials to determine what is right for your project. This means researching looks, price, durability, and what is best suited for your location. Contractors tend to use the same material they have always used. This is not always the wisest choice.
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