Ten
Things You Need To Know
Yes, you can remodel your Los
Gatos home with ease if you plan ahead and take one step at a
time. The home is often the largest financial investment a
person will make, and the decision to alter that investment by
paying out more money is not an easy one-but it is worth it.
Whether you are remodeling to sell the home or just to make it
more comfortable for the coming years, remodeling is a smart
decision. But it is a decision that requires planning and
patience.
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)
suggests following this ten step program when considering any
remodeling project.
Step 1: Assess your current
situation. Do you have the funds, time and patience to remodel
your home? Does it make sense to remodel or simply move into a
larger home? According to the American Homeowner Foundation,
moving can be extremely expensive, typically involving a 6
percent commission on the sale of the current home, plus another
2-4 percent for closing, moving and other costs. They suggest
that if you like your present neighborhood, you should look into
what improvements you could make for 8-10 percent of your
current home's value before you seriously consider moving as an
alternative to remodeling.
Step 2: Decide how long you
intend to stay in your present home. Are you remodeling so you
can sell faster or get a higher sale price? Or are you
remodeling to create a more comfortable environment for a
long-term situation? The answers to those questions will
determine how much money you should spend and the scope of the
remodeling project you should realistically undertake.
Step 3: Start defining the
areas of the home that you want to change. You should have some
idea of what the remodeling project will entail before you call
a contractor. Cut pictures out of magazines. Make a list of
rooms that need to be altered and the reasons for those changes.
This information will help speed the design phase of your
remodel.
Step 4: Clear plenty of time
on your calendar for the project. Do not attempt to remodel your
entire kitchen the month before Thanksgiving-it's unrealistic.
You should establish a realistic timetable with your contractor
that allows for delays due to weather, supply shortages, or
other glitches that may occur.
Step 5: Find a reputable
Los Gatos
remodeling contractor. The only way to protect yourself
during a remodeling project is to hire a professional
contractor. Make sure that you choose a contractor who is
insured, licensed in the state of California and a member of a
professional trade association, such as NARI.
Step 6: Create a budget. Decide how much you can
realistically afford for the project before you start. If you
are remodeling to sell, your budget should not exceed the
increase in sales price of the home that is the result of
remodeling. If you plan on staying in the home for a lengthy
amount of time, you should spend a little more to get what you
want.
Step 7: Request a comprehensive proposal from your
contractor. The proposal should tell you how much the project is
going to cost and what types of products will be used. If the
proposal comes in above your budget limit, talk to your
contractor about other options. Sometimes you can accomplish the
same look with other products or design techniques.
Step 8: Get a complete, written contract before the work
begins. The contract should cover the description of the
project, timetable, payment schedule, types of products, etc.,
with provisions for the responsibilities of the contractor,
subcontractors, change order procedures, warranties, and
alternative dispute settlement clauses.
Step 9: Tie payments to work stages. Be wary of any
contractor who wants a large amount of money up front. Normal
contracts split payments by decreasing percentages of total cost
and are tied to significant work stages in the project. Please
note, however, that a large amount of money is usually required
at the start of kitchen remodels to cover the costs of ordering
appliances.
Step 10: Take a deep breath and keep your perspective.
Remodeling can be noisy, time-consuming and disruptive to the
normal home environment. It's important to keep your sense of
humor and stay focused on the end result, not the process that
takes you there.
If you are looking for a home remodeling
contractor in Los Gatos, CA, then please call us today at
831-246-0555 or
complete our online form.
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