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Ten Things To Do Before Remodeling
Yes, you can remodel your home
with ease if you plan ahead and take one step at a time. The home is often the
largest financial investment a person will make, and the decision to alter that
investment by paying out more money is not an easy one-but it is worth it.
Whether you are remodeling to sell the home or just to make it more comfortable
for the coming years, remodeling is a smart decision. But it is a decision that
requires planning and patience.
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) suggests
following this ten step program when considering any remodeling project.
Step 1: Assess your current situation. Do you have the funds, time and
patience to remodel your home? Does it make sense to remodel or simply move into
a larger home? According to the American Homeowner Foundation, moving can be
extremely expensive, typically involving a 6 percent commission on the sale of
the current home, plus another 2-4 percent for closing, moving and other costs.
They suggest that if you like your present neighborhood, you should look into
what improvements you could make for 8-10 percent of your current home's value
before you seriously consider moving as an alternative to remodeling.
Step 2: Decide how long you intend to stay in your present home. Are you
remodeling so you can sell faster or get a higher sale price? Or are you
remodeling to create a more comfortable environment for a long-term situation?
The answers to those questions will determine how much money you should spend
and the scope of the remodeling project you should realistically undertake.
Step 3: Start defining the areas of the home that you want to change. You
should have some idea of what the remodeling project will entail before you call
a contractor. Cut pictures out of magazines. Make a list of rooms that need to
be altered and the reasons for those changes. This information will help speed
the design phase of your remodel.
Step 4: Clear plenty of time on your calendar for the project. Do not
attempt to remodel your entire kitchen the month before Thanksgiving-it's
unrealistic. You should establish a realistic timetable with your contractor
that allows for delays due to weather, supply shortages, or other glitches that
may occur.
Step 5: Find a reputable contractor. The only way to protect yourself
during a remodeling project is to hire a professional contractor. Make sure that
you choose a contractor who is insured, licensed (if required in your state) and
a member of a professional trade association, such as NARI.
Step 6: Create a budget. Decide how much you can realistically afford for
the project before you start. If you are remodeling to sell, your budget should
not exceed the increase in sales price of the home that is the result of
remodeling. If you plan on staying in the home for a lengthy amount of time, you
should spend a little more to get what you want.
Step 7: Request a comprehensive proposal from your contractor. The
proposal should tell you how much the project is going to cost and what types of
products will be used. If the proposal comes in above your budget limit, talk to
your contractor about other options. Sometimes you can accomplish the same look
with other products or design techniques.
Step 8: Get a complete, written contract before the work begins. The
contract should cover the description of the project, timetable, payment
schedule, types of products, etc., with provisions for the responsibilities of
the contractor, subcontractors, change order procedures, warranties, and
alternative dispute settlement clauses.
Step 9: Tie payments to work stages. Be wary of any
remodeling contractor who wants a
large amount of money up front. Normal contracts split payments by decreasing
percentages of total cost and are tied to significant work stages in the
project. Please note, however, that a large amount of money is usually required
at the start of kitchen remodels to cover the costs of ordering appliances.
Step 10: Take a deep breath and keep your perspective. Remodeling can be
noisy, time-consuming and disruptive to the normal home environment. It's
important to keep your sense of humor and stay focused on the end result, not
the process that takes you there.
If you are looking for a basement remodeling contractor in the Washington D.C. area please call us today at 202-636-3526 or complete our online request form. | |
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