Remodeling 101
Sure, remodeling is exciting but there can also be a lot of frustration as you encounter unexpected snags and the inevitable inconveniences that come from living in a construction zone. You can have things run smoother if you follow much of the advice below from 10 remodeling pros. —Edited from Better Homes and Garden Magazine.

1) Plan ahead. Making product selections early can prevent delays later. Proper planning can also help keep you on budget.

2) Remember the big picture. Long-term maintenance, energy-loss, and repair expenses can add up quickly, so make sure you include them in your calculations when comparing prices.

3) Find good help. Hire remodelers who have more than three years of experience and positive customer references. Most important, select a remodeler you are comfortable with as they will be in your home.

4) Check out their work. If possible before you hire a remodeler, visit their current job site. The best remodelers maintain clean and organized work sites and take precautionary measures to ensure safety.

5) Be a good boss. The most important thing you can do during a remodeling project, other than write checks, is treat your remodeler well. This means being honest and have an appreciation for what they do.

6) Insist on a detailed contract. Jumping into a remodeling project with an ambiguous contract or no contract at all, can be costly and worse, lead to a court date. The contract should include address of job site, a start date, a completion date, and a detail of what is and is not going to be done by the remodeler.

7) Pitch a temporary camp. Minimize inconvenience by setting up a temporary work space. For example, if you are remodeling a kitchen, invest in a dorm size refrigerator and microwave oven that can be used anywhere in the house to cook light meals at home. Eating out for weeks can get tiring and very costly.

8) Pack away your breakables. A remodeling project is going to affect every room in the house," says A.J. Paron-Wildes, general manager of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Take down pictures, move vases, and pack away valuables before work begins. Have flooring covered with cardboard sheets if it needs to stay in good condition.

9) Communicate. Remodelers can do some amazing things, but they can't read minds. Let the company supervisor or project lead person know if anything is unsatisfactory so they can deal with the issue before it becomes unsurmountable.

Back to How To Home Page