Thinking of making some improvements to your current home or a home you just bought? Here are ten tips and tricks to improve the chances that you’ll be delighted when you move in again.
Resale. Even if you plan to stay in the house, think about the next owner. Making sure your upgrades add resale value will give you every option. Think about kitchen upgrades, opening up spaces, adding a deck, installing hardwood floors, and upgrading windows.
Calendar. You spend a lot of time planning what you want. Go to IKEA for space and storage options and go to Houzz online for ideas. Ask your planner or contractor to show you exactly what the upgrades will look like in 3D. You don’t want to come to the end of the paper and say, “Oh, I wish I had…”
Contractor. Choose carefully and get three offers. Talk to your clients and convert your work. Ask for your insurance certificate.
Contract. Get a detailed contract and review it carefully. An overview of the work and a handshake won’t work unless you don’t care what you end up with.
Plan some surprises. Surprises are inevitable, but they should be minimal if you’ve done your planning. Set aside some extra money for them: 10% of your remodeling budget. If you don’t need to use it, great.
Don’t buy your own materials.. If you think you’ll save money by specifying and buying your own materials, you may regret it. Contractors don’t like the practice, and they are better at choosing and negotiating than homeowners. Don’t worry; they will let you make all the decisions but let them handle the transactions and collateral.
pack up as much of your stuff as you can in the areas of the house that will get the job done. Contractors hate having to deal with piles of clothes and toys, and the job is a mess.
stay out of the way. I know it’s fun to watch, and you also want to be in control of the job, but contractors will be much happier if you trust them to get the job done without you looking over your shoulder, or worse, trying to help.
Minimize changes midway. In the midst of renewals, sometimes we realize that something in the plan needs to be changed. If you have a strong opinion about it, it’s better to bother the contractor now rather than live with it later.
Have a professional check the work. Even if the remodels are minor, have an independent contractor or home inspector review what was done before writing the final check. The few hundred dollars you spend on a consultation will ensure your happiness and reduce surprises later.
