Today's New Homes March 2015

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march 2015 How to stay within your home improvement budget

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V o ya g e r M e d i a P u b l i c at i o n s

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renovating? no problem Tips for homeowners on their first renovation project

H

ome renovations are typically exciting, as homeowners get to see the visions of their dream homes come to light right before their very eyes. Turning an outdated bathroom into a modern oasis or an empty basement into the ultimate man cave strengthens the sense of attachment homeowners have with their homes.

The home stretch

A home that is undergoing a remodel can be a less than comfortable environment. But homeowners who have never before lived through a renovation project can take several steps to make the process go as smoothly as possible.

see the full story on page 2 Plan well.

When working with contractors, get all agreements in writing and spell out exactly what you desire in a home renovation.

set payment schedules.

Plan your escape.

Make payments contingent on work completed.

Afford yourself time away by visiting relatives or staying at a hotel. Even a single night away can provide the relief you need.

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march 2015

cover story

Tips for homeowners on their first renovation When working with contractors, get all agreements in writing Home renovations are typically exciting, as homeowners get to see the visions of their dream homes come to light right before their very eyes. Turning an outdated bathroom into a modern oasis or an empty basement into the ultimate man cave strengthens the sense of attachment homeowners have with their homes. But few home renovation projects go from start to finish without experiencing a few bumps in the road along the way.

Such bumps can be difficult to handle for homeowners working on their first renovation projects, but there are many ways for novices to navigate the sometimes murky waters of home improvement projects and come out relatively unscathed on the other end, where a newly renovated home awaits.

Plan well and know what to expect

When working with contractors, get all agreements in writing and spell out exactly what you desire in a home renovation. Photo references can help guide contractors and architects.

Ask for the full picture of what can be expected with the work, from demolition to the punch list. Knowing what lies ahead can keep you grounded throughout the project.

Discuss work each day and set payment schedules

Elbow Grease

Make payments contingent on work completed. This can help keep contractors on schedule. Paying for all work upfront leaves homeowners at a disadvantage, as it does not provide incentive for workers to be timely and efficient. Check in with workers to get daily progress reports.

A renovation project may exceed its budget and take longer than initially expected.

Have reasonable expectations

A renovation project may exceed its budget and take longer than initially expected.

Understanding that these potential setbacks might be part of the process will make it easier to handle them when the foreman speaks to you about any issues that arise.

Accept the mess

Construction work is messy. There’s no way to maintain a pristine house when contractors are entering and exiting all day. Dust is bound to be generated, and tools can fill up rooms.

A home in disarray can be stressful, but continue to visualize the end result and the mess won’t bother you so much.

Establish a contingency plan

Bathrooms and kitchen renovations are typically the most disruptive home improvement projects. Going without a kitchen can make it difficult to enjoy meals at home, while a bathroom remodel may require you to navigate water shutoffs.

If your project is scheduled to take several months, establish a contingency plan to deal with the consequences of your renovation project.

Speak with family members about using some of their home amenities, and prepare and freeze meals in advance so you can reheat them later on when you don’t have access to your stove.

Plan your escape Sometimes the constant work and mess of construction is too much to bear. Afford yourself time away by visiting relatives or staying at a hotel.

Even a single night away can provide the relief you need. A home that is undergoing a remodel can be a less than comfortable environment.

march 2015

renovation

How to stay within your home improvement budget homeowners can find ways to stretch their budgets without sacrificing the quality Home improvement projects range from small scale undertakings that can be tackled in a single weekend to large remodels that can take several months to complete.

While no two projects are the same, every home improvement project demands that homeowners dip into their pockets and spend some money. Much like the scale of projects varies greatly, so, too, do the financial commitments required of homeowners to make those projects a reality. But no matter the size of the project, homeowners can find ways to stretch their budgets without sacrificing the quality of their improvements.

Build unforeseen expenses into your budget

Another way to stay within your budget is to include budget-busting unforeseen expenses into the budget from the get-go. Whether you’re doing the project yourself or paying a contractor, nearly every home improvement project will present some unforeseen, and costly, hurdles. For example, you might find mold inside the walls when you’re converting a basement, and it can cost a pretty penny

to make that mold go away. If you go into the project expecting such hurdles, then the financial sting of addressing them won’t prove too great a burden. But if the mold catches you and your budget completely off guard, you might be forced to overextend that budget or make sacrifices elsewhere in order to complete the project. Build some contingency money, including permit and permit fees, into your home improvement project to safeguard against such unforeseen issues.

Get to work

If you’re hiring a contractor, speak to him or her before signing a contract to see if there is anywhere you can pitch in to keep the labor costs low. You might be able to pitch in during the demolition phase, saving the cost of paying your contractor’s workers to tear down walls or remove debris you can just as easily remove yourself. Another way to pitch in is to do the end-of-day cleanup yourself. Any role you play with regard to labor will likely need to be negotiated upfront, but you can save yourself a substantial amount of money on labor if you’re willing to get your hands dirty.

Home improvement projects often go a long way toward making a home more enjoyable for its owners and inhabitants. And while such projects can be costly, homeowners who stay disciplined can still get their dream homes without busting their budgets.

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