Getting O to a Good Start
Cost is a consideration – but so are your larger goals
Home improvement and home renovation projects promise us the opportunity to live a better, more convenient, more efficient life. But diving into these projects without a clear idea of where you’d like to go will make it impossible for home service pros to adequately address your needs. You could be saddled with cost overruns, long delays and huge headaches.
Be prepared to discuss what you’re hoping to accomplish, but also how much you want to spend and the specific timeline in which you’d like to see the job completed. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry reminds homeowners to factor in cost, quality and your return on investment before beginning these complex undertakings.
WHAT’S THE GOAL?
Home service pros can help you turn most any plan into reality, but they need a detailed roadmap. Is this simply an add on, or are you looking for a stand-alone structure? Does your reno idea go beyond updating the floors? What about cabinets and fixtures? It all adds up, and without a clear goal in mind, these additional jobs might end up breaking your budget. You’ll need to account for the cost of both material and labor, since contractors will be on site longer. Earmark a specific dollar figure in order to help guide them toward a conclusion that’s both achievable and within your means.
STICK TO THE PLAN
These changes are often initially guided by very straight-forward questions. Can I afford this project right now? Will these changes increase the value of the property? Can I find the right home service professionals at the right price to complete the work? Once you’re underway, however, it’s important to stick to the previously agreed-upon plan.
There are usually surprises along the way, and those day-to-day problems can quickly eat into even the most contentious person’s contingency plan. Things go downhill even more quickly if you suddenly begin switching out countertops, cabinet styles or appliances – or, worse, adding entirely new projects since they may require more design and engineering. Costs are part of the timeline – so the longer it takes, the more expensive everything becomes. Budget discipline will help give you confidence to go forward with your plans.