Home Renovation Planning
List the renovation projects you are considering.
Talk with friends, neighbors, and even realtors about their home renovation experiences.
Look in magazines, catalogs, or open houses to get some ideas for your renovation projects.
Do some research to get rough estimates of the cost of the renovations.
Check to see how much the renovations would enhance the value of your home.
Prioritize your renovation project, keeping in mind your budget.
Estimating Costs
Get multiple estimates.
Establish a budget.
Get advice from a bank to figure out how much you can afford to spend, nd how much you can borrow.
Do consider renovations that give you the most bang for your buck.
Getting More Information on Financing from the Internet, your local bank, realtors, and renovation firms.
Choosing a Contractor
Go with a contractor who was recommended to you by friends, co-workers or realtors.
Use the Internet to find resources in your area.
Look for contractors who do the kind of work you are planning.
Don't let a general contractor do the hiring.
Create a list of questions to ask each contractor you are considering.
Check contractor's skills, experience, knowledge.
Check how long have has he been in business in this area.
Check what kind of projects he does most often.
Check if he offers any ?green? building techniques, materials, or products.
Check how he handles change requests.
Check what are his typical site safety and clean up arrangements.
Check if he has a warranty.
Check if he is insured.
Get a list of references.
Create a list of questions for each reference and call them.
Make sure you get at least three bids to gauge the going rate.
Don't always jump at the lowest rate.
Ask for proper licensing and insurance.
Contract should include:
Detailed description of the project.
Specification of materials, finishes, fixtures.
Specification of any materials, fixtures, accessoriesthat will be provided by the homeowner.
Other allowances that may be chosen during the course of the project.
Start date, estimated finish date.
Schedule, milestones, other project plan items such as permits, inspections.
Payment terms.
Communication methods.
How disputes are handled.
How change orders are handled.
Portable toilet facilities, safety, waste disposal, cleanup.
Protecting landscape; dirt-moving/fences.
Warrantees.
What constitutes final acceptance.
Attached architectural plans.
Attached site plans.
Attached surveys.
Managing Contractors
Walk the site daily, if possible.
Check everything.
Keep change requests to a minimum (get them in writing and include costs).
Keep paper work for everything.
Ask questions.