When you begin to think about remodeling your home, it's easy to
go overboard, tackle too much, or overspend. However, if you
follow a few basic home remodeling rules, you can avoid those
difficulties. Here are some things to think about--even before
you begin your remodeling project.
First, allow for the project to cost more than you originally
thought it would. Regardless of which room you decide to
remodel, you will typically find your ultimate cost to be about
25 percent higher than your original estimate. The same 25
percent figure also applies to the amount of time it will take
to complete the project.
For example, if you have decided to spend $10,000 to remodel
your kitchen and give yourself five weeks to finish the job, you
can generally expect to end up spending about $12,500 and seven
weeks on the project. There are no hard-and-fast rules, but one
thing experienced remodeling professionals have learned--always
expect the unexpected.
Next, take your measurements carefully, and do lots of research
concerning the types of things that are available on the market
to help you accomplish your remodeling goal. Go to your home
improvement store and get test paint color samples. You can
generally also obtain test samples of flooring materials such as
carpet or hardwood flooring. Don't be afraid to ask your
retailer for samples. They expect it, and are generally happy to
supply them. They want you to be happy--and you don't want to
make an expensive mistake by choosing the wrong materials. Ask
your home improvement professionals for their input, as well.
They will normally be aware of the latest developments in
whatever field of remodeling you're going to tackle. Again,
that’s their job, and they will be happy to help.
Third, once you've decided on your main components, don't forget
to spend time on the small things, as well. It's easy to get
caught up in deciding upon big ticket items, but it's often the
interior design details, like trim, accent colors, and hardware
that really make a remodeling project come to life.
Fourth, don't be too hard on yourself. Remember, remodeling is a
sort of organic process, in which you're going to make mistakes,
you're going to change your mind and do things somewhat
differently than you had originally planned, and you're going to
run into things that you hadn't anticipated. That's all part of
the remodeling game, so just roll with it.
Finally, try to use the best quality of materials you can
afford. If you're planning to be in your home for awhile, you're
going to be living with the materials and hardware you use in
your remodel, so you want them to be as nice as you can. It's
not worth it to sacrifice your future enjoyment of the materials
by skimping on quality during the remodeling job. Cheaper
products also generally have a shorter lifespan, so they may
actually end up costing more in the long run, once you have to
replace them again.
Overall, remodeling can be a rewarding experience, if you just
follow a few simple rules and use common sense along the way.
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