Thinking About Home Remodeling -- Start Here
Sooner or later you may join the millions of people who remodel their homes each year. Perhaps it was that moment when you realized that avocado green and harvest gold are no longer the "in" colors for today's trendy kitchens. Or maybe you had an epiphany one day as you stood in line to use your own bathroom. Whatever the impetus, the thought has crossed your mind: Maybe it's time to start a home remodel. The reasons for home remodeling are as varied as the projects we undertake.
Some of these include:
- Adding more space
- Upgrading cabinets, counters, appliances, and fixtures.
- Creating a floor plan that's customized for your lifestyle
- Improving energy efficiency with new windows, doors, insulation, and climate control systems
- Increasing the resale value of your home
Where to Begin
The first step is to develop an idea of what you want to do with your home remodel. Write a prioritized list of your needs and wants. Look at magazines and Web sites and collect pictures of what homes or remodeling projects you like. The more clearly you can envision the project and describe it on paper, the better prepared you'll be in making your decision.
Think about traffic patterns, furniture size and placement, colors, lighting and how you expect to use the remodeled space. If your decision to remodel involves creating better access for someone with limited mobility, you may want to consider contacting a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist.
You may want to improve home efficiency and hire a remodeler for green home remodeling. Consider these articles and ideas if you're interested in green home remodelers. These projects include replacing windows and doors, upgrading heating and cooling systems, adding insulation, and other remodeling to make the home more energy-efficient, easier to maintain, and comfortable.
Figure out how much money you have to spend on the home remodeling job, furnishings, landscaping or any other cost you might incur. For different financing options, click here.
Choose Your Options
Once you have created a list of what you would like out of your home, the next step is deciding how to accomplish your vision.
Hire a Professional Home Remodeler. The best way to ensure your home dreams become reality is through the work of a professional home remodeler. These remodelers are of the highest integrity and standards in the industry. See the professional home remodeler difference.
Can you do it yourself? For the handyman or woman, a do-it-yourself project is both rewarding and cost-effective. However, more than 30% of all jobs home remodelers perform come from failed do-it-yourselfers. Go here for a thorough checklist to make sure you are ready for the job.
Should you move instead? Your needs may exceed what you can or want to do with your existing home. Learn more about the costs involved with moving versus remodeling.
If you’ve decided you want to hire a remodeler, learn how to choose a professional home remodeler, avoid contractor fraud, and make your dream home reality.
Why Hire a Professional Home Remodeler
If you are considering a home remodeling project, the most important decision you can make is selecting a professional home remodeler to do the job. Your home is too important to entrust to anyone but a professional home remodeler who can:
- Save you money by doing your job right the first time.
- Ensure that your dreams are accurately translated into reality by offering design services in-house or through an arrangement with a professional architect or designer.
- Understand that your comfort during the project and its successful completion depend on effective communication and follow-through.
- Maintain a safe and neat jobsite to prevent damage to your home or injury to household members and pets.
- Provide the best possible materials within your budget and assist you in making selections through the vendors they work with.
- Ensure that your job meets or exceeds applicable building codes and regulations.
- Guarantee the quality of their work with a warranty.
- Respond promptly to service calls and inquiries.