Yesterday I thought it was Wednesday until like 10 am. Not cool. Did you ever feel like you have so much in your brain that it might burst? That's me right now.
Anyhoo as I do sometimes, I'm giving the floor to someone to talk about things I will not ever be talking about, in this case planning for home remodeling when you're away. Which may come in handy for me in the future as I am never doing a home improvement project in a house I'm living in again after my near nervous breakdown during the kitchen remodel. About the author: Alec Neufeld is a retired builder, now freelance writer and part-time general fix it man. He has strong opinions on the use of alternate energy and is also an avid sports enthusiast.
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Doing a home
remodeling project and micromanaging everything is already daunting as it is.
Even when you’re home all the time, the project can still go over the budget
and so many things could go wrong along the way. Scheduling the project for
when you’re away on a holiday is just too much of a risk, isn’t it?
Well, not really. You
have to do a lot of work prior to the project but doing a home remodeling while
you’re away is a great way to get around the inconveniences and hazards. All
you have to do is plan for the project carefully and I have just the tips in
this article.
Do a Lot of Research
By a lot of research,
I mean A LOT of research. Thankfully, you now have the internet on your side.
Searching for the most credible contractor to hire, the right parts and
appliances to buy, and materials to use is so much easier to do when you have
sites like Consumer Charts providing you with valid reviews and tons of
resources.
Research is a crucial
part of the planning stage. You want to go into the details and figure out
everything before finalizing the plan for your remodeling project. Don’t leave
anything to chance; write down the plan to the last letter and make sure you
know exactly how the project will go even before it starts.
Budgeting is also
something you can do at this point. Since you can also get quotes and prices
online, figuring out an exact budget for the project isn’t going to be very
difficult. Add up to 20% to anticipate changes along the way and you’ll be
fine.
Inspect and Review
The next part of the
planning stage is inspecting the property. This is something that many contractors will
now do for free as part of their marketing. At the end of the inspection, you
will get a more detailed quote – preferably in writing – and additional
information about potential issues that need to be solved before moving forward
with the remodeling.
Let several
contractors inspect your home and compare the results. Make sure you mention
that you are comparing contractors so that you get the best deal every time.
Multiple inspections allow you to see the bigger picture and help you prepare
for the project better.
Set Boundaries
Before starting the
project, go through the plans with the contractor of your choice in great
details. Make sure the person in charge of the project knows what you expect
from the project perfectly. If you want to ask a close friend or a relative to
help supervise the project if necessary, now is the time to bring that person
in as well.
The contractor needs
to know about your boundaries. What kind of changes are you willing to accept?
Which issues need your approval? Will you be reachable on your trip? Figure out
these details and you can start the project without a problem. You’ll have to
live elsewhere during bigger remodeling projects anyway, so why not go on a nice holiday while your home is being improved?
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Enjoy what is now actually Wednesday. See you back here tomorrow for Thursday Thoughts.
