Top Ten Home Improvement Tips
Thinking of making some improvements to your current home or a home you just purchased? Here are ten tips and tricks to improve the chances that you’ll be delighted when you move back in.
Resale. Even if you plan to stay in the house, think about the next owner. Making sure your upgrades add resale value will give you all the options. Consider kitchen upgrades, opening up spaces, adding a deck, installing hardwood floors, and upgrading windows.
Schedule. Spend a lot of time planning what you want. Go to IKEA to see storage options and spaces and go to Houzz online for ideas. Ask your planner or contractor to show you exactly what the 3D upgrades will look like. You don’t want to get to the end of the paper and say, “Oh, I wish I had…”
Contractor. Choose carefully and get three offers. Talk to your clients and convert your work. Ask for your certificate of insurance.
Contract. Get a detailed contract and review it carefully. A general idea of the job and a handshake won’t work unless you don’t care what you end up with.
Plan some surprises. Surprises are inevitable, but they should be minimal if you’ve done your planning. Reserve some extra money for them: 10% of your remodeling budget. If you don’t need to use it, great.
Do not buy your own materials.. If you think you’re going to save money by specifying and buying your own materials, you may regret it. Contractors don’t like the practice, and are better at choosing and negotiating than homeowners. Don’t worry; they will let you make all the decisions but let them handle the transactions and the collateral.
pack up as much of your stuff as you can in the areas of the house that will get the job done. Contractors hate having to deal with loads of clothes and toys, and the job is a mess.
stay out of the way. I know it’s fun to watch, and you also want to control the work, but contractors will be much happier if you trust them to get the job done without you looking over your shoulder, or worse, trying to help.
Minimize midstream changes. In the midst of renovations, sometimes we find that something needs to be changed in the plan. If you have a strong opinion about it, it’s better to upset the contractor now rather than live with it later.
Have a professional check the work. Even if the remodels are small, have an independent contractor or home inspector review what was done before writing the final check. The few hundred dollars you spend on a consultation will ensure your happiness and reduce surprises later.