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Renovating
or remodeling a home can be a difficult and stressful experience.
Homeowners can easily find themselves out of their depth - and the
construction industry is often tough on the uninitiated.
Many, if not most, home improvement troubles result from a failure
by homeowners to properly educate themselves beforehand. It's easy
to be intimidated by the complexity of the construction process,
but the fact is that even a little knowledge can go a long way
toward eliminating problems.
One good way to begin is by learning how to sidestep the major
pitfalls. Start with these common - and easily avoided - mistakes.
You may end up saving yourself time, money, and heartache.
1. Poor Contractor Selection
Hiring the wrong contractor can lead to a home improvement
nightmare. Always try and get a recommendation from someone you
know and trust, but if that's not possible at least do your
homework before deciding on anyone. Ask for several references
and - here's the key part - actually contact each one to check
them out. Yes, I know that's a major pain, but it's the only way
to insure that the contractor has left behind some satisfied
customers.
Also, if you pick up any hint of financial problems - any at all -
think seriously about finding someone else.
2. Neglecting the Contracts
Many homeowners are extremely careless with contracts for
improvement projects, often signing - without review or
modification - a document provided by the contractor. The contract
defines your rights - negotiate a good one or be ready for some
nasty surprises. Don't hesitate to check with your attorney if you
think it's necessary.
3. Inadequate
Funding
Home projects are expensive - and they often turn out to be even
more costly than planned. Nothing wrecks a good contractor
relationship - and jacks up your stress level - like having cash
flow problems mid-project.
It's essential to line up all of the required funding - plus a
contingency reserve - before work begins. Whether you're selling
investments, taking a home equity loan, or just drawing down from
your savings, make sure the funds are available from day one.
Otherwise you risk running into disputes, hassles, and delays.
4. Unrealistic
DIY Expectations
You may be tempted to try and save money by doing some of the work
yourself. While this may make sense, it's important to assess the
situation with extreme realism before proceeding.
Many do-it-yourselfers fail to realistically consider the time
required to complete a project, assuming they'll work non-stop
until the project is complete. Unfortunately, for most people this
is just not going to happen. Fatigue sets in, real life intrudes,
and the project drags on far longer than anyone expected. A
realistic schedule from the beginning can save a lot of
frustration later.
5. Failure to
Prepare
A lack of panning and preparation before work begins can cause
delays and disruptions down the line. Make your selections early
and order required materials well in advance. Waiting for late
deliveries and backordered items is a primary cause of delay
during construction projects.
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