7 Rules Needed to Avoid Home Remodeling Disaster

You've decided to fix up your home. The interest rates on home equity loans are at a nice rate, and you have some good estimates from several contractors that seem fair. You're excited about the project and raring to start. Don't let your enthusiasm for the improvement blind you to the difficulties that lie ahead. Home remodelers must travel a bumpy road to a successful completion of their project. Problems and surprises are guaranteed to happen. They can be minimized by careful planning and a realistic approach to the entire process. Here are seven rules to help you survive.

1.
You must have a well-detailed set of plans. If this means you need to consult and pay for architects, designers, and other professionals then so be it. Any kind of vague plans will cost you dearly with many "extras" later on. Do not look at this first step as a cost saving extra. It is not.

2.
Be prepared for more of everything. I mean more money, time, disruption, problems, and surprises. Even little projects take a surprising amount of time and money. Large home projects just magnify the more of everything concept. If you are prepared for these events, you won't be discouraged or surprised when they happen.

3.
The contractor you choose needs to be thoroughly researched. Go by what the person has done and what he has built as opposed to what he says. Always ask for lots of references and take the time to talk to his former clients and look at his previous work.

4.
Do some of the work yourself. Be careful here as this is not an on the job training situation. If you know you're good at X, then go ahead and do it. If you're not sure, let the contractor do it. What may be a first class completed job can be ruined by you because you thought you had the skills when in reality you didn't. Also, make sure the contractor is OK with your help. If you take two weeks to finish a job when he could do it in half a day, it will mess up his schedule.

5.
Know where to save and where to spend. As in rule one, don't try to save on the detailed set of plans. Go with high quality in all the major components of the job as opposed to trendy design. You can always make some minor changes later.

6.
Your budget needs to be realistic. Some experts are saying that a cost of $200 - $300 per square foot is not out of the question. Kitchen and bath remodeling can be even more. Keep in mind the surprise factor of extra costs due to changes in plans as the job progresses. (You decide you like the upgraded range better than the standard you first chose, etc)

7.
Become knowledgeable and educate yourself. Attend seminars and classes. Your local home remodeling store may be able to help here. Even if they don't offer what you need, they may have some leads on where to go for the training.

All seven of the above rules can be summed up by these two concepts: be prepared by being informed and be ready for the unexpected. When the job is complete and you're enjoying your newly remodeled home, you can smile with delight because you were ready for whatever happened.