5 Tips On How To Bring Your Remodel In On Budget

Here  are a 5 simple tips on how to work with your contractor to bring your project in on time on budget and on time. 

Do Your Front-End Homework

The biggest mistake I see homeowners make is not pre-specifying the big ticket items prior to contractor shopping.  Pre-specifying doesn’t mean just saying you want granite counter tops or Toto toilets.  Granite slab on a average ranges from $20.00 per foot to $50.00 per foot.  A Toto brand toilet can run anywhere from $250.00 to $700.00. 

 The more specifics you provide your contractor, the more accurate he or she can estimate the cost of your job.  If you plan to put your project out to bid you’ll also be able to get a more “apples to apples” bid. 

Should you stay in your home during construction?

 Whether it is a good idea to remain in your home while the work goes on, depends on the size of your remodel and your tolerance.  Obviously the savings of not having to rent could go directly back into your project; however, I don’t feel most people are prepared for the realities of living for months among saw horses, ladders, and a lot of dust. 

Sub-contractors don’t make appointments. So unless you are okay being surprised by a plumber walking into your house 7:00 AM or having your water turned off just as you’ve lathered up your hair in the shower, I don’t advise staying in the home. 

Checking in at the job

 A lot of progress can take place in a short period of time so its a good idea to check in at your job frequently to have a look around.  Something that I see happen often is changes don’t get transmitted onto the job site blueprint, which the sub-contractors build to.  Its much easier to move a doorway before electrical or duct work has gone in.  Conversely micro-managing the job can sometimes be a bit disruptive for contractors. 

Change Orders

Changes are expected and inevitable so don’t be afraid to make changes, but If you are asking for excessive changes or changes late in the process, this can significantly delay your project and become costly.  Again, pre-specifying your exact materials goes a long way to avert on the fly changes.

Write it Down!

Meetings are worthless if nobody is taking notes, and when your cooktop doesn’t fit into your cabinets, or the wrong tub is installed, the blame game begins.  I don’t care how good someone’s memory is, nobody can remember every detail of their remodel.   

Transfer all the notes into emails so that everyone is aware of who’s expecting what, when, where, and how much. The smallest of details should not go undocumented. This simple task can save homeowners a lot of trouble or, even potentially arbitration.