Home Remodeling – Tips to Avoid Major Mistakes

Are you contemplating having a major home remodeling project done on your home? Well, you’re certainly not alone as many people are taking their home’s equity and making big improvements.

As someone who has went through the home remodeling process, I can tell you that there are many things you can do to avoid making mistakes and creating sleepless nights before getting started. Here are some quick tips.

1. Do your homework on getting a contractor.

Before hiring any contractor for your home remodeling project, check them out. Talk to references they provide and always get at least three different bids in writing. Look over their insurance and be sure they have it.

If you’re not comfortable with the information you’re getting, then move on. Making a mistake here can have major consequences later. I hired a contractor who was well recommended, but I later found out he used unlicensed personel. I was lucky though, as the city ok’ed the work.

2. Never do your own sub-contracting.

I would highly advise letting your contractor take on the entire home remodeling project. Many times it can be easy to think you can get some people you may know to paint or hang cabinets, etc., and save some money on the project. The truth is, it generally doesn’t work.

Hiring these folks and trying to get them scheduled can be aggravating and time consuming at best. Understand that if there is any disagreement between the help you hired and the contractor, you’ll be the one in the middle who has to get it fixed. Don’t put yourself in that position.

3. Get along with the contractor.

This may seem insignificant, but on a major home remodeling project, these guys will be in your home every day for a few months or more. This is another reason why it’s critical to hire the right contractor for the job from the start.

Make sure they answer your questions and concerns. Do they return your calls? Do they show up on time when you set up an appointment?

4. Set up a project start date before signing a contractor.

Another big point. I had my start date moved several times because I made the mistake of not setting a firm start date before the job. This may seem like a minor problem, but when you’re having to wait for weeks at a time, it can be an unnecessary hassle.

For us, we were having an all new kitchen put in and tried to time our grocery buying so we didn’t have a kitchen full of food we wouldn’t be able to cook when work began.

Keep these tips in mind before that major home remodeling project and you’ll have a much easier time and more enjoyment during the process.