Home Remodeling Rules

Here are some basic home remodeling rules that will help give you a basic guide so that you don't overdo it and don't get caught in the overspend trap.

• When you've decided to remodel any aspect of your home, add another 25% more time and money to your budget. If you think you'll need to spend $10,000 on a project, you're likely to spend more like $12,500 instead. If you think it will take 5 weeks to complete, it will likely take 7-7 weeks instead.
• Take careful measurements and do plenty of research on all of the surfaces you plan to use. Test paint colors. Get samples of floor coverings and bring them home to try out. Get samples of counter top materials, hard flooring surfaces - anything that will be permanent. Bring it home to test it at home and look at in the space it will occupy. If the samples are small, ask the store for larger ones. Replacing something you just added is super expensive.
• Once you've made the decision on the main components of your remodel, take the time to focus on the small details, such as decorative trims, hardware and the like. It's the small finishing details that can make your room look spectacular, not just ordinary.
• Expect anything to happen. Things rarely go as planned; mistakes happen; things look different than you expected they would. Roll with the punches. You'll see that it's an organic process made up of your "vision" and "reality". If you take the time to plan carefully, your reality will stand a better chance of matching your vision.
• Don't skimp on quality if you can possibly help it. Cheaper products may save you in the short term, but they usually don't hold up to the test of time. This becomes important if you live in the home for a long time or if you plan to sell down the road.
• Look for a team of professionals to help you achieve your goal. Since you will live with the end results for a long time, don't be shy about voicing your opinion and making sure you get what you want and what you ordered.

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