If you have remodeled in the past, you can relate to the “hindsight factor.”
After the project is completed, you realize that, in hindsight, there are several things you would have changed. You would have checked the contractor’s references more closely or started the project sooner or bought the large bathtub instead of the smaller, less expensive one.
Before you start another project, consider some of the most common complaints from homeowners. Then use their lessons in hindsight to help shape the scope of your project.
An easy way to gather this information is by asking friends, relatives and neighbors about their remodeling experiences. What were their biggest complaints? What would they change? The biggest complaints often center around hiring the wrong contractor for the job. The homeowner may have jumped at the first person who provided an estimate or selected a contractor based on a low bid. Once the project began, they realized that the contractor did not have the proper skills for the job or was dishonest.
Or, perhaps the price did not include all of the products needed to complete the job. Once the cost of the new faucet, sink and wall tile is added to the estimate, the price quickly escalates.
The way to avoid these scenarios is to spend time checking references and looking at the contractor’s work. When comparing bids, make sure the bids are similar enough so that you can compare apples to apples.
Other homeowners complain about buying the wrong material or spending too much or too little on new products. As you do research on various materials, take the time to look at the products. Visit showrooms and ask questions about why one brand is more expensive than another.
Also look beyond the products’ visual appeal and think about how they function. A 12-by-12-foot deck might look large on paper, but can quickly become cramped when you add your gas grill and outdoor furniture. Make sure you measure those items first.
Another common complaint is that a remodeling project took too long. This is particularly true with kitchen projects or large additions, which can take two months or longer.
This often can be avoided by talking to the contractor early in the process and setting a realistic schedule. Your time line should include a few extra days or a week to cover unexpected surprises. Talk with the contractor about what surprises might occur and how they will affect the timing.
Also make sure you order all the products and materials before the project starts so the project is not delayed as you wait for the fancy new cook top to arrive. If you are ordering an intricate wall tile pattern that will require extra time for installation, it is better to plan it ahead of time.
Scheduling also is important. As you schedule the project, think about your family and social schedule. If you want a new deck to use this summer, then it’s time to start planning it now.
As you weigh your options, try to picture yourself in the new space after it is completed. Think about how the space flows and how you will use the room.
Will the 30-inch range be large enough for all your family meals or should you splurge on the double wall oven? Do you really want the more expensive stainless steel appliances instead of the white models?
Also ask friends and neighbors how they like their kitchen layout. Do they have enough storage space? Do they like having an island? This information can help you as you design your new space.
Hindsight can be a valuable resource when planning a remodeling project. Make sure you ask other people for their anecdotes so that you can learn from their experiences.
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Have questions or information to share about the remodeling process? Write to Allison E. Beatty, in care of Your Place section, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611. Or e-mail: yourplace@tribune.com.
