Don't start a home remodel without a clear vision
I embarked on a home remodel four months ago. The entire upstairs of my circa 1947, story-and-a-half home was to be gutted, along with the main floor bathroom. A wall in the dining room would be opened up and some plumbing work was to be done. The work is finishing up. While the project has gone smoothly, for the most part, I’d like to share what I now know. In no particular order, here are some things to avoid during a home remodel.
When I first met with my designer/contractor, I knew I wanted a master suite and office space upstairs. I also wanted my main floor bathroom to be updated, but that was all I really knew for sure. While it is OK to not know exactly how you want things to look in the planning stages, by the time of the first sledgehammer swing, everyone should be on the same page when it comes to the project’s vision. Don’t start demolition until you have a plan in place.
This isn't a TV show
You’re not on a home improvement show, so don’t expect your home remodel to be like one. No, it probably won’t take just eight weeks, and no you won’t be surprised by the result at the end (at least you shouldn’t be). Good contractors keep you updated on at least a weekly basis, so there are no giant reveals at the end of your project.
Prepare for the unexpected
There’s a very good chance that something will go wrong or unexpected expenses will arise during your home remodel. When workers started tearing up my upstairs floor, they found asbestos tiles that needed to be removed. That not only added an additional cost, but time, as well, since work had to be delayed while we waited for professionals to remove the tiles.
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