When you’re spending your hard-earned money on remodeling, it’s normal to want to make sure everything is going well. You may even have second thoughts at times and want to change things around. There are things you might be tempted to do that will actually delay the process and cost you more money. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid.
Going with the lowest bid and ending up with someone you don’t trust.
If you want something done right you need to hire the right professionals not the lowest price. If you don’t trust the people doing the work on your house, there will be problems. For example, when they tell you they found a problem and there will be a delay, you might not believe them. Also, you may feel the need to look over their shoulder and question them constantly, which will slow the work down. This can all be avoided if you start by hiring someone you trust.
If you hire someone you trust, a lot of other problems can be avoided.
Not planning for contingencies.
No home is perfect. A qualified contractor will make whatever adjustments are needed to make sure everything they work on is structurally sound and up to code. If there’s a problem, they’ll fix it. That adds to the price of the job, but it’s worth it to have it done right. Make sure you have more than enough money set aside to finish the remodel.
Changing your mind.
If you have a plan, it’s cheaper and faster to stick with it. Every time you make a change, it will cost time and money. If you hired a contractor you trust, you’re less likely to panic halfway through the job and want to change everything around. The more you can relax and let your contractor work, the faster the job will go.
Being a distraction.
You have every right to look at what’s going on in your home and to ask questions. It is your money and your home, after all. However, if you’re always standing around and talking to the workers, you will slow the work down. Ask all of the questions you need to ask, but don’t linger if you don’t need to. If you trust the professionals you hired, this won’t be as much of a problem.
Working without a design.
A qualified professional won’t start a job without a design. Your contractor will need a detailed floor plan and sometimes even an architect depending on the kind of job. You can’t expect them to go in blind.
Fixing aesthetics without fixing the structure.
One of the benefits of a remodel is that it improves the appearance of your home. Another benefit is that when work is done well, your home will be even more structurally sound than when the work started. Don’t expect your contractor to overlook structural problems. If they can fix it, let them. You’ll be better off in the long run.
The most important thing is to hire someone you can trust. Thankfully, in College Station you have a local builder with experience.
