With the real estate market as limited and expensive as it is, more and more people are choosing to remodel their homes to fit their needs instead of moving to a different home that might already have the features they are looking for. We grow attached to the neighborhood or land surrounding us, we’ve already done a bunch of work on the home that really satisfies us, and the price of the house we might rather have would present a mortgage payment that is just too much. Whatever the reasons are for wanting to stay put in your current house, remodeling it can be a great way to make it work for the needs of your family and you.
There are many things to think about as you start to plan for a project in your home. In this article, we’ll share five common mistakes to avoid when remodeling your home.
1. Not Thinking Ahead About The Budget
It’s fun to think about all the nice new things you will want to incorporate into your remodeling project – like the better layout in the kitchen, or the open floor plan so the Living Room feels more connected to the kitchen. But as you dream about those features, it’s important to get realistic about less exciting realities like budgeting, and scheduling.
Come to the table with the Contractor you are interested in working with an idea of what your target budget is (how much are you comfortable investing in your home) and what your ideal timing is for the project. Any reputable Contractor will help you think about how your target budget compares to what their experience suggests the price of a project like yours may be. They’ll also be able to tell you how their schedule may or may not align with your wishes for the timing – maybe a long backlog of projects for the Contractor may disqualify them from being a good fit for you. Or maybe you have some flexibility and are able to wait for them. Either way, come to that first meeting with a sense of both of these things.
2. Chosing The Lowest Price
When you’re choosing the Contractor you want to work with, the lowest price will likely seem pretty appealing! But we often get what we pay for, and if you receive pricing that is substantially lower than other builders it is likely a red flag that:
- That contractor might not be a good estimator
- You could be hiring a “change order artist” – someone who comes in with a low price only to present additional expense after additional expense asking you for more money after you’ve already hired them.
- Planning to cut corners
- Doesn’t provide employees with great pay and benefits, or doesn’t have the proper insurance in place to protect everyone involved.
3. Not Hiring a Professional
When it comes to a remodeling project, hiring a professional can mean the difference between a smooth, enjoyable process and a messy, stressful one.
Professional Contractors have years of experience, so they know the right methods to get the job done and can do so in a way that is enjoyable for everyone involved. Perhaps most importantly, when you hire a professional you’re also buying the warranty that comes with that company. It’s one thing to create a beautiful project that looks great the day you leave. But a year later, you also might want to know that when (not if, but when) the new cabinet doors need to be adjusted to operate more smoothly, or a caulk joint has cracked and needs repair, you can call your Contractor and they will happily come to address those things for you. A professional Contractor knows techniques that will minimize these kinds of callbacks, but also knows these things will happen and plans for them to happen.
4. Not Getting Permits
Without the right permits in place, your home remodeling project could become a major headache; so before you start, make sure you have everything in order. Many Contractors will handle this process for you and know which questions to ask and who to talk to about them. Is a zoning permit necessary? What about a Waste Water permit?
Without this essential step, you run the risk of fines, additional expense, a tangle with the municipality when you go to sell your home or in the most dramatic of cases you may be required to tear down your project. Don’t overlook these important details. Ask your Contractor to confirm that everything is taken care of before the remodeling project begins.
4. Not Planning For Changes
Remodeling projects should be well planned in advance of anyone arriving at your home with their tool belt on. All the details should have been discussed and a solution agreed upon in the planning phase. That said, most projects do have some changes that will occur due to unforeseen conditions or a change of mind on the homeowner’s part. Sometimes the Contractor might even think of a new, better solution when they are in the thick of your project and want to discuss this new idea with you.
Your Contractor should have a system in place for how to handle these changes and to be able to address the financial and scheduling implications of any changes that take place. They should ask for your permission to make any changes to the otherwise agreed-on project scope and budget, lest you be surprised at the end when they ask you for some amount of money that is different than the amount in your Contract.
In Conclusion
So many of these remodeling mistakes can be minimized or avoided when working with the right partner. Do your due diligence and choose a Contractor who you are confident will truly partner with you to provide you with the remodeling project you desire, for the budget you both agree on in advance.
