Where do I start planning my remodel?

Where do I start planning my remodel?

Just the thought of remodeling your kitchen or bathroom can be exciting—and overwhelming. Where do you start? How can you get this project started (and finished!)?

Look for a contractor

As tempting as it may be to just call every contractor in the phone book, a little extra diligence now ensures that you hire a quality contractor later. After all, you don’t want to get a quote from a contractor, and get hooked by their ideas, and then receive low quality work.

Instead, find the right contractor by asking friends and family for names of contractors that did work for them (and for names of contractors to avoid). You can also look on the internet, but make sure that the contractors can provide references and has years of experience of quality work.

Contact a contractor to get the windows installed before the freezing drafts become unbearable.

Screen your contractors

Once you’ve identified a potential contractor, contact the contractor and schedule an appointment. Ask the contractor these questions:

– How long have you been in business?
– Will you be pulling permits for the project?
– How much experience have you had with this kind of project?
– Do you have any references?
– When are you available to start our project?
– What is your projected end date?
– Do you have any suggestions for ways to make it more functional or for a better design? (You’d be surprised at what a good contractor may recommend. Many of them have ideas and expertise that can make your remodel even better!)
– How will you minimize the mess during the project?
– How long do you think this project will take?
– How will payment for the project work?
– What information do you need from me?
– When will I hear from you again? How will you send the quote?

If you plan on doing any of the work yourself (such as the tiling or flooring), let your contractor know so they can omit that work from their quote.

Evaluate your quotes, plans, and ideas

The next step is to look at your quote and evaluate the plans and suggestions. Evaluate the pros and cons of each plan, and decide which plan fits within your budget. Be wary of contractors that look for large amounts of money up front before any work starts. Make sure you get the contact information (i.e. phone numbers, address, e-mail address) of your chosen contractor, as well as a starting date.

You can also look for ideas for materials online. Shop around online and in store to see examples of cabinets, flooring, and countertops suitable for your new bathroom or kitchen. If you need to order any materials for the project, make sure you ask your contractor when you need to place the order by; that simple step can get your project started—and finished.

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