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Post date: Feb 14, 2017 8:56:09 PM
Make It Happen: Turning Your Remodeling Dream Into Reality
Or It's Finally Time For Some Action!
Deciding to remodel your home or even just a room in your home is a major decision, but there are many other steps along the way before your dream becomes a reality; such as determining your goals, setting a budget, and choosing a contractor.
So lets break it down a bit.
Determine Your Goals
The first thing to do is simply ask yourself why you want to remodel your home. Do you think upgrading the property will make it sell better? Are you uncomfortable or just unhappy in your current kitchen or bedroom? Are you looking for more space for entertaining? Or has your family simply outgrown the current living space and you need some additional square footage. Determining your goals will help you define the scope of your remodel.
Choose a Contractor
Talk to neighbors as well as local friends and family members about contractors they have hired to complete projects in their homes. They are likely to know someone or have good and bad stories about local contractors to help you choose wisely. Angies list and other online directories and the Better Business Bureau's website are also useful resources. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce about their members, businesses who participate in their community are companies that are committed to service and are generally in for the long haul. Don't choose just a contractor or construction company alone. Design/build remodeling under one roof is becoming more and more popular because it is more efficient and economical. A design/build remodeling specialist can show you drawings and schematics up front, so you can better visualize the final product. You will also have an accurate project price, with all the numbers in one contract, to work with.
Some homeowners have a single goal when it comes to remodeling their homes, but others don't make the decision to remodel unless they have several goals in mind. You may find you also have different goals than your partner, so be sure to talk to them about the remodeling process and be sure you have the same goals before getting too far into the process. It is always best to be on the same page right from the very beginning!
Having pictures of what you would like your room or rooms to look like at the end of the project is great because it ensures that you and the contractor you hire to complete the project have the same vision of changes that will be made and what the completed project will look like. Having a "dream book" or an idea pad is always a good idea.
Set a Budget
Your dream kitchen may have marble floors and granite countertops, but it won't look the way you want it to look unless you have a large enough budget to accommodate the materials and labor that are required. Looking through design magazines is a great way to get ideas for remodeling, but if your budget doesn't allow for super high-end materials, remember that there are many lower-cost alternatives, and some of them are even considered better quality.
Communicate Often
Always be as clear and open as possible with your contractor. Use pictures and examples of what you like or don't like, do want and don't want. Even if you feel that you are being a little too thorough, don't worry. you're not bothering anybody. A project where a client and contractor have the same vision of the final product is a successful project! The best way to ensure a succes
Visiting h
sful project is to have open, productive communication and collaboration. Teamwork throughout!
When your remodeling dream is in the process of becoming a reality in your home, there are likely to bumps in the road. Try to keep the final vision and the reasons that you are remodeling in your head at all times and don't stress if things don't go according to plan. These are just little bumps on the way to your new wonderful dream home!
Home improvement stores and specialty fixture shops is a great way to get an idea of what the materials for your project will actually cost, but remember that labor is often the largest cost when it comes to a home remodeling project. Once you have created a budget for your project, add at least ten to fifteen percent to the final number. Remodeling almost always costs more than you think it will, so padding your original budget will make the final cost of the project easier to handle!
Design It. Build It. Love it.
Designing, building, and creating the rooms you’ve always wanted...in the home you already have.
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