One of the most exciting aspects of remodeling is planning the project. Not only is planning fun, it is also very important to the success of the job. Unfortunately, however, there are a number of problems that can occur when making changes to your home. But with some foresight, common sense and the following tips, you can eliminate most of these potential problems before they have a chance to take root.

Tip 1:

Hire the correct contractor. Deciding who to hire for your remodeling project may be the most important decision you will have to make. Employing a professional contractor is a safeguard that your home improvement will be done right, within budget, and on time.

When hiring a contractor, check to make sure he or she is bonded, insured, meets all state and local licensing requirements, and is a member of a professional trade association such as the Sacramento Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. To find a professional remodeling contractor, either call the Chapter office at (916) 686-5120 or visit the national website at www.nari.org.

Tip 2:

Proper planning. Your finished project will only be as good as the design and planning that went into it. Whether you are doing the remodel yourself or hiring a contractor, it is important to look over the blue-prints and schematics to make sure the design is exactly what you want. If you are building and addition, be sure your current heating and air conditioning system has the capability to heat and cool the extra space. If a contractor is handling the work, her or she should know if current systems need to be upgraded.

Without proper planning, you probably won’t end up with the home improvement you’ve been dreaming about. Not only can the project look unsightly, it can also end up costing you a lot of money to fix unexpected problems and make changes. Planning is essential.

Tip 3:

Consider all options. Even if you think you have the perfect design for your home, be open to suggestions. Avoid picking new colors for your home based on a sample card from a paint store. The small cards are not enough of a guide to judge color intensity. Instead, paint a poster board your desired color and put it on the wall. Look at it during different times of the day and from various distances to decide if this is the color you really want.

Increasing your imagination and visualizing alternative choices allows you to make better, more informed decisions. It also helps to talk to your contractor or interior designer about the different options available on the market. Their expertise can save you a lot of time and frustration.

Tip 4:

Pick the best products for your budget. Your home is your most valuable asset, and it pays to protect that asset. This means not using low quality products when remodeling. Even though there are a variety of design techniques and products available on today’s market, you don’t want to cut corners in the hopes of saving a few dollars and put quality at risk. This is especially true if you plan on staying in your home for a long period of time.

Inferior products can be a hazard to you and your home. They can also end upp costing you more in the long run through increased energy bills, maintenance costs, and replacement fees.

Tip 5:

Don’t overextend your self on a do-it-yourself project. Creating additional problems and not having the expertise to finish a project once you start it are two pitfalls encountered by do-it-yourselfers. Not only will you have to deal with the added levels of frustration, but your costs can also skyrocket when additional work needs to be done. You might also have trouble finding a contractor who will fix your problems. Some remodelers refuse to take on a do-it-yourself project gone bad. And with contractors busier than ever, it may be along time before one can fit your job into an already busy schedule.

Even though most homeowners enjoy working around the home, there comes a time when a job is just too big for their capabilities. Before starting a job, know what is involved and what your limitations are.

Tip 6:

Start a job at the appropriate time. Timing is critical when planning a home improvement project. Pick a start date and an approximate finish date that best fits your schedule and your contractor’s schedule. Be realistic. Don’t expect a kitchen remodel to be completed in two weeks when it could take more than a month just to get the cabinets from the manufacturer.

Timing the project can also reduce stress. You don’t want to have your kitchen torn apart when you’re planning a holiday dinner or have your water turned off while hosting company. If you are planning an addition and need to have part of your home opened up, think about what time of the year would be best to have the home exposed to the weather. You may want to plan your family vacation to coincide with the remodeling project.

Tip 7:

Avoid the domino effect. It’s easy for homeowners to fall prey to the domino effect—so watch out. This happens when you have one room in the home remodeled, such as the kitchen, and it looks so good that you want to have the living room done, then the bedroom, then the bathroom. Before you know it, you have the contractor working in every room in the house. If you’re looking to overextend your budget, this is a great way to do it.

It’s natural to ask your contractor questions while he or she is in your home but don’t be impulsive. If you do decide to have another room remodeled, go through the same careful planning stages that you took for your initial project and create a new budget.

Tip 8:

Manage your budget. You created a budget for a good reason—so stick to it. You don’t want to end up short on cash and not be able to finish your project, and you don’t want to end up so far in debt that you will regret ever making any home improvements. Work with your contractor. He or she should know how much money you are willing to invest in the remodeling project, and the professional can help your job stay within cost.

You should also keep ten percent of you budget as a reserve for the unexpected. Unforeseen costs will inevitably arise and you don’t want to get caught unprepared. The reserve will allow for any sudden increase in materials.

Tip 9:

Avoid over remodeling for your neighborhood. No matter how much money you invest in you home, there is only so much that will be able to recoup if you decide to sell it. So if resale is in your future, know your limits. Check the real estate market to see what homes in your area are worth. You will not increase the resale value of your home by remodeling if your home is already at its maximum value for your neighborhood.

If you plan to stay in your home for a long period of time, however, then spend whatever is necessary on remodeling to make you feel comfortable.

Tip 10:

Know your rights. Before you sign any contract, be sure you know what is involved. Don’t blindly sign any contract and sign away your rights as a consumer. A contract should include a comprehensive description of the project, a payment schedule, a timetable, and the types of products that will be used. The responsibilities of the contractor and any subcontractors should also be detailed.

A contractor also needs to list provisions for warranties, changes in procedures, and in case problems arise, alternative dispute resolution clauses.