Remodeling? Avoid These Costly Mistakes

While many Americans are ready to take on remodeling/renovation projects this spring, doing it the wrong way can be costly. Some errors to avoid:

Not knowing exactly what you want

If you dont know exactly what you want or specify what you want, youre going to get what the contractorthinksyou want. And it could end up costing you dearly. For home remodeling design ideas, inspiration and a whole lot more (including cost estimates), check out Zillow Digs free on theiPador the web. You can search by style, cost or room. And whats really cool is that you can search by specific elements within a room, such as quartz or granite countertops, for example. Share your boards with your contractor so that youre clear on your objectives.

Hiring the first contractor who comes along

Sure, he may seem nice, and he may seem competent, but have you checked him out? What do your friends say about him? Have you contacted his references? Seen his work? Are there any complaints lodged against him? (P.S.: The Better Business Bureau just released its top 10 list of inquiries from consumers, and half relate to home improvement.) What do subcontractors and suppliers have to say about their dealings with him? Is he licensed and insured? As excited as you may be about taking on this new project, you need to do a fair amount of due diligence.

Jumping at the lowest bid

Get at least three bids, and throw out the lowest one so as to avoid the inevitable consequence: cheap materials, shoddy installation, etc. Dont invite trouble in! Rather, hire someone who not only comes in within target, price-wise, but is someone you feel personally comfortable with.

Not insisting on a written contract

Every detail about your project should be included in a contract, from the start date to the approximate completion date, right down to the brand of fixtures to the number of coats of paint. Be as specific as possible! Also important: setting a time limit for fixing defects so that if a dispute arises, its not endless.

Not setting a payment schedule

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Remodeling? Avoid These Costly Mistakes