The headquarters of the National Association
of Home Builders is in the
midst of a renovation and it's not going very smoothly.
The building was
without air-conditioning during the late summer and heat
during this
winter. Pipes have burst and the horror list goes on and
on. If this renovation
can't go right, you should expect your own home remodeling
job to have it's
share of surprises.
Here are some tips to guide you during your own
renovations:
- Expect your project not to finish on-time and expect to
go over your
budget as much as 30%.
- Watch out for incremental costs that add up when you get
that -
"since you're here, why not fix this ..."
attitude.
- Don't expect to get a dollar-for-dollar pay back on your
remodel project
at the time you sell your home.
- Be sure to get lien release waiver forms completed
before work is
started. This will protect you if a contractor
fails to pay subs or
companies for product.
- Be careful with paying money upfront. Look for
contractors who will accept
payment in phases or steps.
- Never verbally agree to anything. Get even minor changes
in writing.
- Follow up on a contractor's reference list thoroughly.
Former customers
will be happy to share details if you ask. So, ask
about their budget and
the timeliness of the project.
Start your search for a remodeling expert at these
helpful sites:
- National Association of the Remodeling Industry at
http://www.nari.org
- National Kitchen & Bath Association at
http://www.nkba.org
- National Association of Home Builders at
http://www.nahb.com/consumers/remodeling/remodelmain.htm
