You’ve been wanting to start a renovation project for months (or maybe even years!) but you can’t seem to get started on it. Maybe you’re overwhelmed by the amount of work it will take or perhaps you just don’t have a good idea of where to begin. Managing a home renovation project can be scary, but there are ways to make the process straightforward and simple. Here’s how!
Step one is to decide how much you want to do on your own. Will this be a DIY intensive project or would it be better to hire a contractor? For a big project you’re going to need at least some professional help, which means you’re going to need to know the ins-and-outs of hiring contractors. This is where things can get scary for someone who isn’t familiar with the technicals of professional contract work. The first thing you should do is take plenty of time to research everything about your project – different contractors, suppliers, products, etc. Now’s the time to hop on Internet forums and ask other people about their experiences. Decide all the important aspects of the renovation during this part of the process. You should have all the ideas for your design locked in before making your first call. Make a short-list of contractors you’d like to hire and pick up the phone!
The most important thing you can do is have a paper trail. Get estimates and quotes from the contract companies and make sure they send you information on every cost and every detail. You’ll want them to send you material lists, labor costs, and have them agree to a payment schedule. This is nitty-gritty stuff, but it will help you keep on top of the work and in control of the process. You should also draft up a schedule that you can reference throughout the process to keep things on track. Keep a journal of the day’s progress, too. While the process is happening you’re going to end up with lots of garbage and scrap materials. Make sure you communicate with the contractor to see who’s responsible for disposal of this waste. And remember, get a paper trail for everything!
This might still sound like a scary process, but if you break down each step and take it one day at a time then you’ll be amazed at how capable you are. Take a look at the full list of steps in the article below!
Read the full article here: How To Manage Your Renovation