Tips From Real-Life Homeowners

Tips from homeowners:
Daniel McAbee of Toronto has been renovating his 20-year-old home since early July and shares some pointers:

Double-check your order. Don’t get stuck with a bad door just because the guy behind the counter wrote down the wrong style name.

Be aware that selecting a designer and finalizing the new details of the kitchen can take quite a bit of time. But if you do it right in the beginning, it will be well worth it in the end.

Amanda Larson of San Diego finished a complete kitchen remodel last year and has this to say about her kitchen’s makeover:

Don’t underestimate the cost of cabinets. They are one of the most expensive luxuries in the new kitchen.

If you can’t live without a higher-end item, then think about cutting costs elsewhere, whether in the lighting or the flooring, to balance out the budget.

Visit Daily Home Renovation Tips for more real-life stories.

Avoid these five common homeowner mistakes:

Spending too little time discussing the budget with the remodeling professional. Daniel Mackey of Daniel Mackey Construction Incorporated says, “About 75 percent of projects don’t get done because of that one issue.”

Opting to buy all of the materials in the interest of saving a buck, rather than letting contractors pay for materials up front and billing homeowners later. This can complicate the project because materials may not be in working order or may not be delivered on time, and while homeowners have day jobs to tend to, they are then responsible for handling the logistics, possibly causing delays. This could all be prevented if contractors purchase materials, as they are available to address any issues immediately.

Getting disappointed when progress isn’t obvious. Mackey’s wife Debbie points out, “Sometimes contractors are working on the wiring, plumbing or something that’s hidden.”

Not looking at enough product options, whether sinks, flooring or backsplashes, before making a final decision. Remember, changing your mind mid-project can knock the remodel off track.

Dreaming big and paying little.

Quick Stat
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry recommends that once you’ve determined your budget, tack on another 10 to 15 percent to cover any change orders or unexpected occurrences.