Photo courtesy: metrofloorsinc.com
Plan ahead. Before you begin any type of work on your house, you need to be sure you have already planned that phase of the project. As much as possible, try to lay out all project decisions before you begin to avoid unnecessary delay that might incur additional costs.
Planning ahead will prevent you from having second thoughts mid-construction. Remember, each time you change your mind about a certain part of the project, you are delaying the schedule, and if you are working with contractors, you will be charged for changes you want to implement.
Get materials from the right source. Instead of buying materials yourself, have your builder do it because he will get a better price than you. Yes, he may up the prices a little bit and charge you extra, but you can expect that amount to be the same as what you would pay if you decide to buy on your own.
If you did not hire builders and you will be forced to buy your own materials, keep the following in mind when you go shopping:
•Do your research.
•Ask for suggestions/recommendations.
•Do not sacrifice quality for quantity.
•Go local to save on shipping costs
•Buy a little more than what you think you’ll need (the same goes for your budget)
Get out of the way. The clock is ticking, and each minute you spend talking to your contractors is a minute they are spending away from work. If you keep asking questions, changing plans, or interrupting them when they ought to be working on your house, you will fall on the short end of the deal. The best way for the project to progress on schedule is for you to exercise minimal supervision during construction, and if possible, live someplace else while it is ongoing.
Be realistic. Your goals need to be aligned with the existing property you have. If you decide to become too ambitious and attempt to incorporate elements that your house will not be able to accommodate, you are setting yourself up to fail. Modernising your home is always an option, as long as you are confident you can pull it off.
Get professional help. Maximising the existing space you have at home will be a lot easier if you consult the experts. It depends on the scope of the project, but most of the time, these things need to be backed by architects, interior designers, and reliable builders. Get them involved in the planning process so you can iron everything out and make sure it will come out the way you want it to.
Always start a home remodel project with a floor plan. It is your best shot at getting everything right to fit your requirements. At the same time, seeing your plan on paper will give you clearer perspective on decisions you may need to rethink, revisit, and revise.
