Home Remodeling Contractors Residential Construction

I’m going to let people know the truth about remodeling a home. HGTV is one of my favorite channels but people need to know. 

The renovations they are able to complete seem impossible. They are able to achieve so much in such little time. The renovations they complete seem to be way out of the homeowner’s budget. Here is the truth about remodeling a home and what you should expect.

You need a flexible budget: 

HGTV is able to complete these renovations at cost. This leaves very unreal expectations for the average homeowner. Your budget needs to flexible for a couple of reasons. First, your project will have obstacles. You might break a wall down and find termite damage or find piping that shouldn’t be where it is. Yes, a house should have been built correctly. The truth is, they most likely didn’t build yours correctly. Homeowners must be ready for unexpected costs during a remodel. 

Taking the lowest bid won’t save you money:

Make sure you research contractors and find somebody who does high-quality work. Many people choose the cheap way out and end up in a nightmare situation. www.contractorsfromhell.com is a website based on these nightmare stories. Read a couple of stories on that site and decide for yourself. I’m not saying to choose the highest bid but choose carefully. 

The TV remodel shouldn’t be your remodel:

Every house has its own personality. Just like humans, this personality distinguishes the individual from the group. You might want something specific that you saw on TV. The truth about remodeling is that your house might be better suited for a different design. 

The best remodels I’ve seen incorporate the personality of the home. If the house is older, keep some of those distinguishing features. Moving stuff like wires, piping, and air ducts can become very costly. 

Don’t do it yourself:

I grew up in a do-it-yourself house and I’m very grateful. I learned so much from our projects. The downside is that they always ended up taking 2x as long to finish. luckily we usually still saved money on labor. Big projects have even bigger risks. Everybody loves a good DIY project but leave the big ones to the experts.

It will be stressful:

Remodeling a home can be a very stressful time. You spend a ton of money, your house is torn apart, and problems are piling up. Remember that this is all part of the process. The truth about remodeling is that your house is going to be in shambles. This can be very unsettling. It might be best to find somewhere else to live during remodeling. Trust me, the contractor would rather have you out of the house.

They understand that it is your project but they need room to work.

Is Remodeling Your Home Worth it?

This is in no way an attempt to discourage homeowners from starting a remodel. This is information to help when planning a remodel. It’s important to have realistic goals when starting so you are ready for the obstacles. As a homeowner, you should always be making improvements to your home. This can benefit you in a number of ways. You don’t have to remodel your home to improve it. Here is an article I wrote about five tips to improve any home in five minutes.