Home renovations can be very daunting.  This is because any home remodel project has the potential to become a stress filled, overwhelming, money sucking task.  But, if you carefully plan your remodel from start to finish, you will be better prepared to handle any issues that may come up.  So take a moment to plan your project and you will soon be enjoying your transformed space with a sense of self satisfaction and pride. Plumbtile offers some great products to help make your renovation project go smoothly. 

Budgets, Costs, and Funding

Cost is a major factor any time you begin a project of any kind.  The biggest mistake you can make is beginning a project and running out of funds before you can finish it.  That is why it is very important to establish a realistic budget and cost estimate before you begin.  Remember to budget for incidentals that make occur.  Once you determine what the project will cost, you can then decide if you currently have the funds to cover the renovation or if you need to get a loan.  If a loan is required, there are some great home equity options for you to consider.

Do-It-Yourself vs. Contractor

One of the greatest impacts on cost is going to be whether you hire a contractor or complete the job yourself.  Remember that do-it-yourself projects are not always cheaper in the long run.  If you attempt to take on a project that is out of your range of skills, you may face the cost of having to hire someone to complete and redo the renovation in the end.  And this could cost a great deal more in the long run.

If you do choose to hire a contractor, you will want to be sure to pick one that you can trust.  Of course, word of mouth referrals from friends and family is a great place to start.  But, you will also want to look into the contractors licensing and rating with the better business bureau.  And, a simple online search may result in finding some praises or concerns about the contractor by consumers like yourself.

And regardless of which contractor you choose, make sure to have a thorough estimate in writing before the job begins.  This estimate should include both time and materials in the final totals.  It is a good idea to get estimates from a few contractors so you can be sure that you are getting a fair price in the end.  Also, be leery of estimates that are too low as the quality of work and trustworthiness of the contractor may not be as high as those contractors charging a reasonable price.