Finding Your Remodeling Budget

5 Tips for Choosing a Remodeling Budget

1. Know your current bills. It is very important that you know what you spend each month prior to adding a remodeling bill. If you are not already certain of what amount of your income you spend each month you should come up with a budget and figure out exactly how much more money you can afford to spend each month. This amount is how much you have to put towards a home remodel.

2. Determine what you want done. If you don’t know what you want to accomplish with this remodel you will have trouble determining how much you are going to need to spend. A lot of times doing a full home remodel is not feasible all at once. It is important that you are able to break it down to exactly what you want done, and the level of importance in completing the different aspects of the project. You may want new windows before new flooring for example.

3. Hire a professional. Often times you can set a budget but still have no idea what it will cost to actually complete what you want done. This is where a professional comes into play. There are several companies in the south sound area of Seattle, Renewal Remodels & Additions is one of the best. By hiring a company such as this one you will be able to get an estimate of not only what the project will cost but also how long it will take.

4. Be honest about your budget. Once you have chosen and hired a company to help you with the remodel you need to be honest about your budget. If the contractor thinks you have $20,000 for your bathroom remodel and you can really only afford $10,000, this is going to be a problem.

5. Be realistic! Once your budget has been planned and you have looked into different companies to hire it is crucial to take a step back and say “can we really afford this right now?”. If the answer is no, put off the remodel until you can save up some money and have a larger budget to make your dream remodel possible.

Read more at http://www.articlealley.com/article_1987907_27.html?ktrack=kcplink

Having a Healthy Relationship With Your Contractor

This is a different relationship than most people have with a contractor. The home design contractor is a trusted member of the team. He gives his input during the design process and based on his knowledge of construction and what really happens on construction sites he contributes valuable information to tweak the design in order to maintain the budget. It is a powerful collaborative effort.

During this process you will become more educated about the impact of each decision you make and how they affect the overall cost of the project. You will be pushed to think through details and make decisions early in the process. This is one of the best ways to control the dreaded "budget creep"!

Additionally the home remodeling contractor will be able to let you know what alternatives are available and how they can affect both cost and design. As an example, suppose you are adding a deck outside your kitchen and also want French doors that will open onto the deck. The initial design idea shows a door which will have to be custom made, with transom windows above. The contractor's preliminary estimate on the deck and door work is more than your budget. However, by collaborating with the contractor it is determined that a simpler stock French door unit will significantly lower costs. As you can see, the contractor is working with you to create a project that call be built within your budget but still satisfy your desires.


Another significant point to consider is that you and the contractor will have developed a good working relationship. All too often in a competitive bid environment the potential exists for a design professional to be aligned with the owner against the contractor in an adversarial relationship. When all parties involved work together on the project from the start this is much less likely to happen.

Learning to Negotiate a Bid

The general advice people receive when they are considering a home remodeling project is to solicit bids from at least three home design contractors. This is called competitive bidding. This is a way to "comparison shop" just as you would when buying a television or appliance, the only factor you're using in making your purchase decision is price. It's a good way to shop for a product, but might not work well when buying a service, which is what general contractors provide.

Let's introduce you to an alternative to competitive bidding which you may not be aware of, a negotiated bid. This is not a situation where you haggle the price with the contractor. Rather, you and the contractor become allies in making your project a reality.

The procedure for negotiating a bid goes usually goes something like this: First, you pick a contractor you like and trust before the design process has begun or is in its early stages (there are many ways to find a good contractor; referrals from friends, NARI.org or NKBA.com). You and the contractor work together as a team to develop a project which fits your needs as well as your budget. This is a simple explanation of the negotiated bid process. You'll probably require a bit more information before being sold on the concept but before we move on let me draw your attention to a few key words which need to be understood in context: trust and team.

Remodel or Move?

There are various choices you can make when you deal with investments in the real estate industry. In the midst of the overwhelming possibilities, make sure that you are always making options that are geared towards profitability and the productiveness of your ventures. For instance, if you are torn between a salient decision of buying a new house or remodeling your old one, carefully assess the two alternatives and consider the pros and cons that you are bound to encounter in the process. This always helps as to whether your investment is truly in the right track.

A sound venture is something that is carefully and comprehensively studied and assessed based on all aspects of their prospective options. For instance, if you are going to buy a house or renovate your old residence, then you need to consider some of the basic resources you have specifically funds and budget. Do you have sufficient money to spend on your home project? If you are seriously considering purchasing a new house, you need to secure a home equity loan in order to finance your venture. Getting a mortgage is not a simple task to start with. A hefty amount is primarily needed to comply with the different payment obligations incurred in the process of closing your transaction. Closing costs include the fees for the provision of the title insurance and the credit report for your qualification and approval of the loan. You also need to pay for the home appraisal, real estate commission and that of the seller's cost.

Remodeling your house on the other hand only needs a smaller amount of money especially if you intend to do cosmetic and minimal renovations around the house. If you deem it necessary to make some major structural upgrade, then you need to exert more effort, time and money as well. Make sure that your home project is in line with the zoning requirement, have proper building permits to avoid code violations and the like. Heeding the rules and regulations of the homeowners association especially if your renovation is potentially affecting your other neighbors is also very important before your jumpstart your ventures.

Choosing the Right Paint Colors for Your Remodel

When you're planning a home remodeling project, you should have a color scheme in mind for every room, but choosing the actual paint shade usually comes at the end of the home renovation process.  Because looking at all the choices in the paint store can be overwhelming, here are some considerations to keep in mind:

1. Hold off on choosing a precise shade until you have rugs and furniture selected. That way you can be sure to create a unified look. Take samples of your carpet, upholstery, and tile to the paint store with you.

2. Glossier finishes reflect light and are easy to clean, making them a good choice for trim or kitchen and bathroom walls that need to be cleaned more frequently. A matte finish is better at hiding flaws in the walls and creates a softer look by absorbing more light.

3. What kind of mood do you want to create with your room? If you want a cozy feeling, darker colors might be the way to go since they can make the room feel smaller. If you want the room to feel larger and more expansive, lighter colors on the walls will help.

4. A very bright color on walls can feel overwhelming and frenetic. Sometimes it's best to pick the most neutral version of your desired color and use the brighter shades for accents.

5. Most people prefer white or off-white for trim around windows and doors to draw attention to them, but you don't have to follow suit. A lighter shade of your wall color can be lovely while still drawing the eye. Dark trim and light walls can be striking but sometimes hard to pull off well.

6. Don't choose a paint color right away; take those samples home with you and think about them. Although paint is relatively easy to change, repainting a room can be an annoyance. Be sure you're happy with the paint before you begin.

A Bathtub for a Bathroom Remodel

When planning a bathroom remodeling project, it used to be that you didn’t have many choices of bathtubs, but today there is a bewildering array of tubs in different shapes, sizes, and materials. How do you choose which kind of tub is right for you? Here are some of the factors to consider when selecting a bathtub.

Ergonomics
If you are particularly large or tall, you might be more comfortable in a wider or longer bathtub. On the other hand, if you’re petite, you probably don’t want an extra deep soaking tub. If you like long soaks, you might prefer a tub that has contoured armrests and back support so you can rest easy.

Safety
If someone in your household has trouble maneuvering, or if you’re planning to retire at your home, take these factors into consideration during your bathroom remodeling project. Install grab bars in the bathtub area and think about installing a walk-in model, which permits you to enter the tub through a door rather than stepping over the rim.

Style
How are you planning to decorate your bathroom? If you’re going for an old-fashioned look, a claw-footed cast iron tub might be the way to go. On the other hand, if you want a pampered, spa-like environment, you probably want the luxury of jetted or soaking tub.

Bathroom
Configuration depending on the layout of your bathroom, it may make more sense to have a free-standing tub in the middle of the room or an alcove tub set into the wall. Jetted tubs often need a platform that raises them above the floor.

Tips for Finding Your Perfect Contractor

• Ask for referrals from friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
• Ask other people who have done work for you in the past such as your plumber or gardener.
• Search your local and free newspapers for contractors' ads.

Always make sure your home remodeling contractor is fully licensed with state and local governments. Make sure the license is valid and up to date—do not rely on the contractor's word. You should contact your state, county, and city governments for information on the contractor's license. The website www.contractors-license.org lists licensing requirements for all fifty states. Also make sure the contractor is fully insured and carries worker's compensation, liability, and property damage insurance.

Follow this contract checklist: Every contract should include:

• Remodeling Contractor information including name, address, telephone numbers, license number.
• A list of what the contractor will and will not do—for example, the tasks you have chosen to do, such as painting or demolition.
• All materials, sizes, colors, specifications.
• A dated copy of all drawings and diagrams. If changes need to be made during the project, they should be made to these documents and initialed and dated by both you and the contractor.
• Start and finish dates.
• The times work will start and finish and the days of the week that workers will be at your home.
• How change orders will be handled.
• A warranty for one year.
• binding arbitration clause.
• A statement of how the contract can be canceled.
• A statement that the contractor will provide affidavits of final release, final payment, or final lien waivers from all subcontractors and suppliers.

Tips for a Successful Remodel

ORGANIZE! To make the job easier and ensure your percentage of good ideas is as high as possible, you need a strategy to organize your information. Use a three-ring binder or expandable file folder. You must keep copies of all contracts, change orders, invoices, receipts, and permits. These will be invaluable if you have disputes with your contractors and when tax time comes around. Other sections to consider are ideas from magazines, quotes, contractor contact info, and so forth.

Don't be afraid to play designer. Many "amateur" home designers come up with great ideas, and since you are living in your home day after day, you can have better ideas than the "pros." So get out a pencil, make 100 copies of your current floor plan, and sketch out all the alternatives. It doesn't matter how great or bad they are, experiment with alternatives. At this point it's free, so enjoy!

But don't get too wild and crazy. You are almost always better to stick with a traditional size and shape in a home, both for resale value and cost for your remodel. Having a kitchen on the second floor may strike you as a clever and unique solution, but if it means moving the gas, electrical wiring, and plumbing up to the second floor, this change will add significantly to the project costs.

Figure out what, if anything, you want to do yourself. Have he home remodeling contractors itemize their quotes to determine which phases of your project you might be able to do yourself and which ones you want to hire someone to do. Tasks you might consider doing include project management, demolition, rough electrical wiring, installation of cabinets, fixtures, and appliances, and finish work. Tasks you should probably leave to the pros include foundation work, framing, installing sheetrock, and installing breaker boxes and connecting your home to the electrical service.

Some Unique Floor Choices for a Remodel

When you're doing a home remodeling project, you'll need to select flooring for various rooms. Below are the pros and cons of different kinds of flooring.

Hardwood:
Pros: Hardwood is particularly beautiful and adds value to your house. It can potentially last the life of your house.

Cons: It can scratch, stain, and fade. It requires periodic refinishing and will react to humidity, so it shouldn't go in a below-grade room.

Laminate:
Pros: Made of artificial materials, laminate floors can resemble hardwood. It is extremely scratch, stain, and fade resistant. It resists moisture and can be used below grade.

Cons: Laminate doesn't have quite the same beauty as hardwood. It can be hard to repair if damaged. It cannot be refinished and its life expectancy is less than 20 years.


Stone/Tile:
Pros: Durable and beautiful, stone adds value to your house. Moisture resistant, it is good for kitchens or bathrooms.

Cons: Must be professionally installed and periodically sealed. It can feel cold underfoot. It is also one of the pricier options.

Cork and Bamboo:
Pros: Cork and Bamboo are green options. Cork is harvested from tree bark in a way that doesn't kill the tree and can have a soft spongy feeling some homeowners like. Bamboo flooring is a fast growing grass that is easily replaced. It is durable and can look similar to hardwood floors.

Cons: Cork absorbs water, so it's not good for kitchens or bathrooms. Bamboo varies in quality, so make sure you get a good product.

Green Home Remodeling is More Than You Think

Green home remodeling doesn't just apply to the finished product or the materials used. If you are hiring a remodeling contractor, you should consider how to make the renovation process itself "green." Here are some steps a green home remodel must include:

Control Potentially Harmful Dust

Dust is an inevitable side effect of remodeling, but it can contain asbestos, lead paint, or other particles you don't want to inhale. During a remodeling project, remodeling companies must use barriers, such as plastic covering doorways, to contain dust to the renovation area. In addition, they should cover work areas with plastic tarps and wet down surfaces before sanding or scraping. If your house was built before 1978, assume that it contains lead paint and ensure you work with a properly trained contractor.


Provide Proper Ventilation

A green home remodel shouldn't expel pollutants into your home. Responsible remodelers use exhaust ventilation, such as a fan, that pulls air out of the work area and vents it to the outside. This helps expel dust and other pollutants, and it creates a pressure barrier that prevents pollutants from spreading to other parts of the house. Activities such as installing flooring and carpeting or painting can emit pollutants. Remodelers should provide ventilation during these activities and for at least 72 hours afterward.