Home remodeling is a large-scale and fairly expensive project to undertake. Whether you’re focusing on one or a few rooms, or you’re fully renovating the entire home, there are a lot of moving parts that you need to plan for. Even then, it may be difficult to know from the beginning exactly how much you need to plan for, how to go about executing those plans, and how much it’ll all cost in the end. This kind of situation calls for the guidance and assistance of an expert, which is why many people hire a general contractor.
Family Restoration Inc. has provided this kind of assistance for over 20 years. We’re a general contractor helping Des Plaines homeowners get their remodel and renovation projects done the right way, and we’ve previously provided expert advice on our blog about topics like which tasks a contractor is most necessary for. In this post, we’ll guide you through the important points you need to keep in mind when you’re thinking of starting a remodeling project and what to look for in a contractor you’re thinking of hiring to help you.
Planning, budgeting and financing
Three of the most important things to think about when you’re planning a remodel are your plan, your budget, and how you’re going to pay for it, ideally in that order. Each step leads into the next. Starting with an outline of what you want to do will help you get a sense of what materials you’ll need and what the project timeline will probably look like. Once you have that outline, you can research material costs and tools you’ll need, and you’ll develop a greater sense of the project’s scale and complexity. Finally, you’ll have enough of an idea of costs to start looking into financing options to fund the project.
This part of the overall process is certainly doable by you alone, but given that it may be the most important step, it’s important to get it all right as best as you can. Unfortunately, mistakes at this point are fairly common, and they mainly boil down to underestimating or failing to account for certain factors. These mistakes typically include underestimating costs and starting the project before you’ve accounted for weather impacts, interior spacing, aesthetic consistency, and other concerns. They also include failing to find a contractor from the beginning, or if you do, failing to effectively evaluate them before deciding to hire them.
Evaluating a contractor
Making sure you get help that’s qualified for your project is one of the most essential steps toward a successful home renovation. There are a few different ways you can verify this when you’re considering working with a particular contractor. Some of the more obvious ones mainly involve just doing your research ahead of time. Some specific things to look at are membership with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, at least a few years of experience, and positive reviews or references from their customers.
In addition to all that, though, there are other steps you can take to get a truly comprehensive look at the contractor you’re evaluating. If possible, you should try to visit one of their current work sites to get a sense of their organization, precautions, and work process. If you’re satisfied with what you see, you still need to make sure you’re writing out a contract that will specify the project’s timeline, tasks, and costs. This is where your initial project research becomes especially important, and makes it even more essential to get it done right from the very beginning.
Get expert help to get your renovation done better
Whether you’re looking for home remodeling in Des Plaines or in Niles, Morton Grove, Skokie, or any other surrounding areas, Family Restoration Inc. has the expertise to give you qualified help with your next big home renovation project. Aside from remodeling, we’re here to help with your construction and renovation needs, too. Get in touch with us now for a free estimate.