It's 30 degrees outside, your making your holiday gift list, your looking at all those appliances, home accessories and shiny new gadgets to buy for loved ones. Well what about YOU!?
Maybe you want a new kitchen, a new paint job, the backyard recreated? I know it's early but 4 to 5 months from now the flowers will appear, the sweaters will be gone and it's time for change.
Thinking about adding, renovating or expanding a room, think about how the space will be used and how the changes will affect traffic patterns. Also consider how new construction will affect the overall context of your home. An oversized addition may overwhelm your house or crowd a small lot.
2. Learn From Others
One of the best ways to get inspiration and to avoid pitfalls is to follow the experiences of other homeowners, something that North Shore Contractor Management can do in one sitting. Explaining what the positives and negatives of construction work on your home will bring - to know what your in for makes the medicine go down easier.
3. Think Ahead
Although you may dream of having a spacious new addition, the project may not make sense if you plan to sell your house in a few years. A bathroom renovation might be the only thing you need to make your house more desirable. Talking to North Shore Contractor Management gives you the entire picture. What costs are, benefits of construction vs re-sale, maybe talking about one idea will lead to another.
4. Count Your Money
Even the best-laid budgets can go bust. Chances are, your remodeling project will cost more than you expect. Before you set your heart on high-end ceramic tile, find out how much you have to spend and make sure you have a cushion against cost overruns. For must-have items that could wipe out your savings account, explore home improvement loans and other financing options. If you own your home, an equity loan is an option - North Shore Contractor Management can put you in touch with lenders that are friends not loan sharks that put you into a financial bind. but you should know your comfort level and understand what you're getting into - this is just another layer of personal care North Shore Contractor Management offers our clients.
5. Choose your team - with ME!
Unless you plan to take on the entire by yourself, you'll need to hire helpers or just North Shore Contractor Management to bring everything in a nice package to you. Naturally, you'll want to make sure that the folks who work for you are qualified, licensed, and properly insured. Something that North Shore vents out for you. But, If you have an older house, hire someone who knows the time period when your house was built; putting a finger on historical appropriateness is an undervalued skill. Use these resources to find the professionals you feel comfortable with.
6. Negotiate a Contract
Do you know how to? Do you really know the verbiage to hold someone responsable for their work? What happens if something goes wrong? Who do you turn too.
Whether you plan a simple carpentry job or a major project requiring the services of an architect and a general contractor, misunderstandings can lead to disaster. Do not begin remodeling without a written contract. Make sure everyone agrees on the work that will be completed and how long it will take. Also be clear on the types of materials that will—and will not—be used.
7. Get Permissions
In most parts of the world, a legal permit is required before you make structural changes to your home. The building permit assures that the remodeling project meets local building codes and safety regulations. If you live in a historic district like Northport or Huntington Village the permit also assures that exterior changes to your home are in keeping with neighborhood guidelines. General contractors will usually take care of the paperwork, but small-time workers may not... and the permits become your responsibility. I offer all this plus warranty management
8. Plan for Problems - Make Ground Rules
The larger the remodel job, the greater the chances are for frustrations. There will be equipment breakdowns, supply shortages, miscommunications, and delays. Draw up a few friendly rules for workers—tell them where they may park their trucks and store their equipment overnight. If concrete is involved, know where the leftover will be dumped. And, don't expect contractors to take care of your pets—the family dog and cat may be happier at a relative's summer camp. Also, take care of you and your family. Plan for ways you can indulge yourself when times become especially stressful. Schedule a day at a spa and reserve a night at a romantic bed and breakfast inn. You deserve it!
Can you imagine doing all the above and having a full time job? Making calls, planning, dealing with headaches with multiple subcontractors that you don't know anything about expect their ad in the pennysaver or that he came to your house in a new truck?
Many people have good reasons to make a change—life events (does someone now use a walker or wheelchair?), different circumstances (are the parents about to move in?), or preparation for the future (shouldn't we install a home elevator now, before we need it?). Some people just like change, and that's okay, too. The first step in any home remodeling, though, is to take a step back into self-reflection. Know why you're doing something before you make the plan how to do it. You might save yourself a bunch of money—and a relationship.
Good luck! You'll need it
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