REMODELING TIPS
No one likes to cut a budget, especially when it is his or her own. But when it comes to planning a remodeling project, homeowners must establish and actively manage a realistic budget.
Preparing for a remodeling project is a lot like preparing to buy a car. You may know the room and style you want, but the options you choose may drive the price higher than you can reasonably afford. There are ways, however, to stretch the remodeling dollars and still end up with stylish results.
GETTING STARTED |
- Find a professional remodeling contractor who is familiar with local building codes - updating work that does not meet code is very expensive.
- Examine your contract to ensure it is well-written and detailed enough to prevent costly mistakes.
- Plan ahead by making all of your selections first. This will help to define your budget and prevent hasty decisions later. All product and material selections should be included in the contract to avoid confusion and expensive change orders. Include model, color, size and all other relevant information. Budget an extra 10-20% for added items.
- Making careful product choices is the number one way to control expenses - if you like a high end look, be creative and think of how you can achieve the same look with less expensive products. Bear in mind that certain product choices incur high labor expenses for their installation.
- Compare prices and products carefully before making final decisions - consult with your contractor, architect or interior designer who will be able to guide you in making decisions based on value and quality - not just on price.
- Think about staging the work being done to minimize the initial financial impact - i.e., start small and add to the project at a later date. Remember, though, that by breaking the project down into several jobs instead of one large project, you will most probably end up paying more in the long run.
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| GENERAL REMODELING TIPS |
- Be creatve, as there is often more than one solution to accomplish a design objective - discuss these options with your builder and designer.
- Use paint to facelift a room, rather than changing the structure. This is the easiest and least expensive way to enliven a space.
- Textured wallpaper and faux finishing can hide a world of sins on a damaged wall - these are less costly options than replacing walls.
- Attempt to keep windows in place when you remodel - moving windows is always a budget buster.
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| FINDING SPACE |
- Try to borrow space from a neighboring room rather than adding to your square footage. For example, enlarge a bedroom by reducing the size of an adjacent linen closet.
- Use illusion to make small rooms appear larger. Bow windows, skylights and vaulted ceilings are some examples.
- If you have to add square footage, consider a bump out of 2-4 feet - this may allow you to cantilever your floor joists and eliminate the need to excavate and pour a new foundation.
- Call in an HVAC contractor whenever you add square footage to determine whether your existing system will accommodate your extra space - you may need to upgrade your system or replace units.
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