Gadgets, Business and Technology

Although there are many things that can go wrong during a home remodeling project, spending too much doesn’t need to be one of them. At www.remodelormove.com, we hear far too many stories from people who have ended up spending far more than they wanted to spend on a remodel. This doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, there are many things homeowners can do to control the cost of their remodeling projects.

Before anyone begins a home remodeling project, I encourage them to think very carefully about protecting themselves from the top five reasons costs get out of hand.

1. Contractor relationship and the remodeling contract.

Many homeowners find costs spiraling when they remodel because they either have not developed a good working relationship with their contractor or because they don’t communicate with the contractor effectively. Poor communication generally results in a weak contract.

Homeowners must be able to communicate with the contractor — before a contract is written — to clarify what they do or do not want done. There needs to be clear agreement, reflected in the contract, about the extent of the work, the quality of workmanship expected, the quality of the materials use, and other specific details of the remodeling design. All of these details should be spelled out in the contract.

When this doesn’t happen, most homeowners find themselves making decisions and choices that cost extra either in labor or materials. In some cases, poor communication and failure to understand expectations can result in disaster.

2. Poor Planning.

Without careful planning, many homeowners end up spending far more than necessary on many materials, fixtures, etc. They also fail to schedule their projects at times when they can save on some of the associated costs. For example,

* Many people just don’t understand that many contractors charge lower rates (by as much as 5 7%) for work during their slow time.

* Workers are more productive and efficient in cooler weather than they are in the heat of summer.

* Shop for materials and fixtures far enough ahead to be able to benefit from shopping sales.

* Avoiding late changes and upgrades is also part of planning. Changes in the design, the materials, or the installation of items after purchases have been made and work has begun are more costly than most people realize. There will be additional labor costs and materials costs to accommodate each change.

* Avoid upgrades. They seem small at the time the decision is made, but they add up to significant additional cost very quickly.

3. Budgeting and Estimates.

Unfortunately, too many homeowners start with a remodeling contract instead of a budget. The first thing homeowners should do is create a budget for the remodeling project. The budget should reflect what they already know about the cost of materials, tools, fixtures, etc. I usually recommend using a planner to help with itemizing costs and related expenses and to keep track of all the information and estimates homeowners gather during the planning stage of their project. I even wrote one to help people with these issues (www.remodelingorganizer.com).

People need to remember that different contractors quote in different ways. They need to gather as many quotes and estimates as possible before they decide which contractor to hire. At the very minimum, one should compare at least five estimates; three is not enough. And try to get at least two estimates from different “types” of contractors — large contractors with lots of employees, and small companies with few if any employees.

Creating the budget first, helps homeowners select designs and materials that will result in the quality they want at a price they can afford.

4. Comparison Shopping.

Most homeowners are accustomed to shopping for deals on most large purchases, such as cars, boats, etc. But when it comes to a remodeling project, many seem to think there are no deals to be found. Many homeowners enter into agreements with contractors to have the materials purchased by the contractor without regard to cost. Many other homeowners assume that the price of all materials will be the same everywhere. When people shop around and compare prices, they can save a bundle on materials, fixtures, tools, etc.

5. Pitch in to Save.

Lack of experience or skill leads many homeowners to conclude that they need to turn a project over to their contractor and just get out of the way. While this is true for some homeowners, for others doing part of the work can be fun and can help keep a project under budget. Painting, demolition, tiling, electrical, clean up are just a few of the projects homeowners can undertake to better manage the cost of their remodel.

I am convinced that if every homeowner considering a remodeling project would plan, budget, shop, pitch in, and be sure they are communicating clearly and effectively with their contractor, most remodeling projects could be completed within their budgets.

Are you one of the many homeowners who has recently decided that you would like to tackle a home improvement project, such as remodeling your bathroom? If so, do you have any previous home improvement or remodeling experience? If you do not, it is advised that you try and get a little. Perhaps, the best way to do that would be to take a class on bathroom remodeling, but that isnt always possible. A nice and relatively affordable alternate to remodeling classes are bathroom remodeling books. Despite the fact that remodeling books are full of valuable information, you may be wondering whether or not they are really worth the buy.

Perhaps, before you start determining whether or not bathroom remodeling books are worth the buy, you should first familiarize yourself with exactly what they are. Bathroom books, which are also sometimes referred to as bathroom remodeling how-to guides, are printed resources that are designed to assist homeowners with their own do it yourself bathroom remodeling projects. Remodeling books and how-to guides not only give you remodeling ideas and tips, but they also tend give detailed remodeling directions, such as directions on how to replace your bathroom flooring and so on.

Now that you know what bathroom remodeling books are, you may want to start examining whether or not you should buy one. Honestly, it all depends on a number of different factors. Bathroom remodeling books or how-to guides come in a number of different formats. There are some books that list information and directions on multiple bathroom projects, while others tend to only focus on one or two. If you are looking to have the majority of your bathroom remodeled, it may be a good idea to purchase a book that covers a number of different projects and visa versa. The best way to make sure that a bathroom remodeling book is money well spend is by making sure that you purchase a book that you can use.

Speaking of a book that you can use, it is not only important to examine the projects that are outlined or explained in a remodeling book, but it is also important to examine how they are outlined or explained. For instance, would you be able to read a detailed set of written directions or would you like to see those directions shown in pictures. While a large number of bathroom remodeling how-to guides have detailed pictures with their directions, not all do. Once again, you will not waste your money and purchase a bathroom remodeling book that will not do you any help.

Another thing to consider, when determining whether or not kitchen remodeling books and how-to guides are worth the money, is their price. How-to remodeling guides can be purchased online, from most home improvement stores, and most books stores. Each of those locations is likely to sell different books, for different prices. Despite the variation in costs, you will find that most traditional bathroom remodeling books, the ones that tend to focus on a number of different projects, sell for as low as ten dollars. If you are looking for a more detailed remodeling book, you may need to pay a little bit more money. Most specialty bathroom remodeling books start out selling for around fifteen or twenty dollars. Of course, you need to remember that some books will sell for less and some books will sell for more.

From the looks of it, you may be thinking that bathroom remodeling books are more than worth the buy. In most cases, you will find that you are right. However, it is also important to note that you should be able to find the same information online, without having to pay a dime. If are looking to save money, instead of purchasing a remodeling how-to guide, you may want to think about performing a standard internet search online.