When making major changes to your home, so many important questions come up. Here is a collection of helpful tips and resources to set you up for success:
A home remodeling project offers promise and excitement for the whole household. Whether adding livable space or reinventing an outdated room, a large-scale project also carries an element of risk. To avert catastrophes, see our popular Ten Common Remodeling Mistakes and How to Avoid Them below, or click here for a printable version.
Spend your own budget – not that of your neighbor. Don’t let the most recent social media post or your neighbor’s beautiful new renovation drive your spending. Be yourself and spend what you can afford.
To Avoid This Mistake:
Financial constraints are important, but also focus on what is most important to you. Once a project is finished it may be too late or too costly to add that extra window, upgraded countertop or new flooring you really wanted. By prioritizing the areas of your remodel that are must-haves vs. nice-to-haves, you can avoid being dissatisfied later while still sticking to your budget.
To Prevent Disappointment:
The lowest bidder is often the least expensive for a reason. The contractor may have underestimated costs, or worse yet, purposely omitted items in order to charge more during the project at a higher rate. You don’t want added costs or a contractor who runs out of money (your money!) before the project is completed. But how can you be sure that all items and project details are covered? Unless you’re familiar with construction language and information, the various forms and presentations used may be confusing and frustrating.
To Avoid the “Underbidding Blues:”
You may embrace the “three R’s” – reduce, re-use and recycle, but bear in mind that old items don’t have a warranty and will likely look out of place next to new appliances and surfaces. Aside from getting new appliances, what else can you do?
Use These “Three R’S:”
It may be tempting to buy that on-sale dishwasher before you’ve finished planning your kitchen remodel, but wait. Appliances are an integral part of any kitchen, and an inch or two can make a huge difference.
To Avoid Buyer’s Remorse:
Remodeling can be difficult and emotionally challenging, even when it goes smoothly. Don’t jump on the emotional roller coaster. If you have chosen the right designer and contractor they’ll behave professionally and do their very best to create your dream. Overly-charged emotions can erode or destroy a good remodeling process.
To Steer Clear of Emotional Landmines:
It’s difficult for a homeowner to know or understand the actual costs of various projects. You must discuss your budget with your designer and/or contractor early in the planning process – the earlier the better. Unguided design can blow your budget, leaving you with additional costs or an unfinished project.
Consider These Planning Tips:
Your friend who designs highways may be a professional in his field, but he won’t know the bumpy byways of residential remodeling. Your neighbor may design award-winning hospitals, but not understand a healthy remodeling process. Your project (and possibly your friendship) could suffer from good intentions.
How to Choose the Right Planning Professional:
All too often existing structural problems are uncovered during renovations. The good news? Many unknown conditions lurking in walls or ceilings can be identified and brought to your attention through a robust process of discovery before the project begins.
To get an “A” in home remodeling:
Inadequate or hurried planning makes timely construction difficult. Without proper preparation, you may end up living with mistakes that could have been avoided.
To Ensure a Successful Remodeling Project:
Your contractor should always be licensed, bonded, and insured. For Oregon, you can easily check a contractor’s license and record on the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) website.
For Washington, visit the Verify a Contractor page on the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries website.
Whether you just have a few questions or you’re ready to start designing the kitchen you’ve always wanted, we’re here for every step of your kitchen remodeling journey. Reach out to us below — we’d love to talk with you!
We’re happy to share our expertise and speak with you about your project. We’ll get your questions answered.