Important Steps to Take Before Renovating

Whether you need an extra bedroom for your growing family or much-needed counter space in your kitchen, there’s a lot to consider before embarking on a renovation project. If you’re new to renovating or have had a bad experience in the past, the thought of renovating can be a daunting task. Before jumping into your project, follow these steps to help reduce your worry, avoid getting in over your head and increase your long-term satisfaction with your renovation.

Do Your Research

Have a renovation idea but don’t know how much the project will cost or what to expect? Research your project on sites such as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) to get an idea of the cost and return on your investment.

Look Ahead

The question, “where do you see yourself in five to ten years,” applies as much to home renovating as it does to your career. How long do you plan on living in your home? Will the size of your family change in that period of time? Answering these types of questions will help you decide if your project will still match your lifestyle in the years ahead.

Budget

Set a realistic budget that includes all labor and materials, plus a little extra for unforeseen costs. It’s best to choose all of the fixtures, materials and finishes down to the hardware before the project begins. This will give you a more accurate idea of how much the project will cost. If you’ll be using an architect, interior designer, or adding new furnishings, you’ll need to factor these costs into the budget as well.

Share your budget with your remodeler—professionals will let you know if your bottom line for the entire renovation is a feasible number.

Contractor Compatibility

Spend time on your contractor search. Choosing the right remodeler for the job is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Ask friends and family for referrals. Have a detailed list of questions ready when you meet with prospective contractors. Ask about their background, training and experience, previous jobs, and any special skills that make them particularly suited to your project. Make sure they’re licensed and insured and that you have copies of all documentation.

Don’t Ignore the Fine Print

Get everything in writing--from fees to timeline to responsibilities and a detailed list of all materials (color, model, size and brand names) to be used. Before signing the contract, read it word-by-word.

The End Result

After all the decision making and time spent on your renovation project, the final result should be exactly what you envisioned. Before renovations get underway, clearly express what you like and don't like about the space, and what you'd like to change. For inspiration, search design magazines and websites for current trends as well as various styles that meet your design tastes. Use images as examples to show your contractor.

Know Your Materials

When choosing materials, you need to consider quality, style and cost. In addition, you’ll need to factor in how durable and practical the materials are in relation to the room you’ll be using them. You might like the look of marble countertops in your kitchen, for example, but should know that marble is a porous stone that tends to stain. This might not be the best choice if you’re raising young children.

Be Patient and Flexible

It goes without saying, but it’s important to understand that even the best laid plans are not perfect and surprises can occur. Unforeseeable circumstances such as inclement weather or backordered materials can delay the process.

Things to Know Before Hiring a Contractor

Whether you’re planning on building your dream home from the ground up or looking to replace your windows, finding competent and reliable professionals is the first step to a successful home improvement project. Before the foundation gets poured and the hammer starts swinging, here’s what to know when hiring a professional.

Word of mouth

With hundreds of contractors available in your area, the task of who to choose can be overwhelming. Your best bet is to ask friends, family and co-workers for recommendations on contractors they’ve used in the past that have produced quality work.

Hire the right pro for the job

Just as you wouldn’t go to a dentist to fix a broken foot, you don’t want to hire a roofer to fix your plumbing. Hire the professional with the expertise for your specific job. Ask them how many similar projects they’ve completed in the last year. This will help you determine how familiar the contractor is with your type of project.

Credential check

Before signing on the proverbial dotted line, you want to be sure the contractor is licensed and insured (even for a small job). Ask for copies–don’t just rely on their word. Contractors should have personal liability, worker’s compensation, and property damage coverage. A competent contractor will get all the necessary permits before starting work on your project. Be suspicious if the contractor asks you to get the permits. It could mean that the contractor is not licensed or registered. If subcontractors will be used for the job make sure they are all licensed and insured as well.

Follow through on references

Asking your contractor for references is common practice. However, be sure to follow-up on each of the references provided. You should talk to homeowners and visit the sites to see the work yourself. Ask homeowners lots of questions–did the workers show up when they promised? Were they easy to communicate with? Did the contractor keep you informed about the status of the project, and were there any problems along the way? Did they clean up after finishing the job?

Bids

Get several fixed bids and go over them with a fine-tooth comb. Word of caution: be careful not to automatically go with the lowest bid. Going with the lowest bid might seem appealing at first, but an unusually low bid could be a red flag. The contractor could be quoting you a price for materials that are of poor quality or might cut corners. Before deciding on a bid know exactly what’s included in the price, including types of materials to be used.

Get everything in writing — no verbal promises

Before you sign a contract, make sure it contains:

• A detailed list of the work to be done including all materials –color, model, size and brand names.
• An estimated start and completion date.
• The total cost including the payment schedule.
• How change orders will be handled. A change order is a written authorization to the contractor to make a change or addition to the work described in the original contract. It could affect the project’s cost and schedule.
• Warranties covering materials and workmanship.
• What the contractor will and will not do. For example, is site clean-up and trash hauling included in the price? If not, ask for it to be added.