When it comes to owning a home at some point the discussion of home remodeling comes into mind. We are not talking here about the standard maintenance or repainting of walls.
We are talking about home remodeling or a complete remodeling of kitchens, bathrooms, additions or even interior structural changes like removing a wall to make a bigger room.
What looked good or was functional 20 years ago just does not look good or function due to changes in family size or ambiance tastes.
So what are some of the basic things you need to know before you start your project?
First of all, you need to know your limits. What are you capable of doing and what you are not capable of doing. This could mean the ability to do the job or do you have the time to finish the job. Just because you know how to do a remodel does not mean you should.
If you have the ability to do it, but you could make more money in your chosen profession during the same hours, then it would make sense to contract it out.
If you have the money, but not the ability, then working with a professional is the answer. The point here is to do an actual analysis of what needs to be done versus your ability, and your limits and your time.
This may mean considering that you can do some parts of the home remodeling job yourself, and leave the rest to professional contractors.
The next thing that you need to consider is local building ordinances and codes. It would be in your best interest to follow the laws and regulations regarding your home remodeling project.
Nothing could be worse than having a tax auditor or city inspector discover that your new addition was not approved for the build. This could mean a teardown. Yes, that is correct!
Laws and regulations, no matter how ridiculous you consider them are there for a reason. It has to do with safety, use of the addition, and even the way to properly assess the taxes on the property.
So follow the rules and get your project approved and know the codes. This is where a qualified, licensed and bonded contractor can be of immense help.
Have you ever heard that the best form of advertising is word of mouth? Most people have, most believe it and most never use it. In this case, however, this may be the best place to find the contractor or contractors you need to have the remodel done properly, on time and on a budget.
Start asking friends and family who they know who does excellent work.
It is possible for you to simply hire out the various plumbers, electricians, framers and so forth and you simply act as your own general contractor overseeing every phase of the remodel. Do not discount the value of word of mouth sourcing.
Another source would be to use several of the online sources to find good contractors. You could consider using Angie’s List or Home Advisor. These are great sources to find qualified contractors who will do the work and preserve their reputation.
Lastly, do not forget the home improvement stores like The Home Depot, Lowes or Menards. These retail outlets have their own design software and associates who can help you design your remodel.
They also have contractors that will work with you to start and finish your project. They will come out, give an estimate and offer to advise. These contractors also have a reputation to maintain if they wish to continue working with these large retailers.
This was just an introduction to what you needed to know to get started. I trust that you took away from this the beginning ideas and understanding to get your project started and finished on time and on a budget.
