How-to Remodel with Fewer Surprises

I do not like surprises when it come to our finances! If I spend more than I should I want to know that I am doing it...don't hand me a bill for something I didn't know about. That is a very bad idea.

So it always puzzles me when I see one of those TV shows on a DIY channel telling the story of a man/woman that begins a big remodeling project without having the least idea of how to get the job done or how much it will cost. They just plow in demolishing the kitchen or bathroom walls and all and then wonder what to do next and how much it is going to cost. SURPRISE!!!

I am not a contractor nor am I much help when it comes to driving nails. But I can give you some very good ideas about how to visualizing what you dream of doing and figure an approximate cost. In fact, I once figured the cost for building a house by using the Sears Roebuck Catalogue. Believe or not I was very close with my figures...we actually built the house.

There are a couple of websites online that I would recommend to get the juices flowing. Apartment Therapy is my go to website when it comes to design. Whether you live big or small, they have rooms, houses and apartments pictures that are just fabulous. Many are designs carried out by people like us...novices that love design.

I also like Martha Steward, Style at Home and HGTV. Even the websites for West Elm and Pottery Barn have some great ideas. If you follow your nose clicking through the websites that link to the websites you will find just the look you want.

We always begin with the visual part of the task. That is why people keep pictures of dream kitchens or family room additions. Some people can just create a room without any inspiration piece but most of us need a clue to take us where we want to go.

My husband and I are living half of our year in a small park model here in Tucson AZ. Even though the little house has all the basic things we need, it does not have that big room that allows us to view TV or have company with some room to move around. So we dream of enlarging our Arizona room. This room is now just walls and windows. There is some disagreement as to how we should go about doing this and we went looking for a computer program that would help us see what our choices were. We ended up buying the HGTV Home Design for Mac at our local Office Depot. It cost us around $30+ (I think). I have never figured out how to make it work! After frustration and a lot of time I abandon the whole thing...I really should have sent it back but time passed and I miss my opportunity! Sigh!

Then this morning I noticed a Twit from DWELL. When I went to the website I noticed they have a design function on their home page...was that free? And could I actually make it work? As it turned out yes I could and it was...free that is!! It is so simple I am embarrassed to think I doubted my ability. After all I am a techy!!

The program included every thing you could want...you will be able to see your dream room or addition in 3D. You can see furniture configuration, window placement, color section and square footage of floors, etc. This is the first step in your plan. I may have found the perfect tool and at no cost to me other than a simple sign up which I did.  

Now we have come to the tricky part. You know what it looks like but can you afford it? I like to have a little idea of cost even if I am going to call a contractor. The cost of materials will help me decide what finishes I can hope for.

The DWELL program will give you square footage for floors and the running feet for the baseboards. This is helpful in finding the cost for those items. The cost for lumber can vary from store to store too. Figuring what you will need will take a lots of deep thought...seriously. This is where a handy do-it-yourself book comes in handy. Their advice for construction measurements and quantity/quality of lumber will be invaluable even if you hire a contractor. You actually can figure some other surface needs if you want. Wall board quantity, for example, can be figured by simply multiplying height by width and deducting the window and door openings. Remember, if you are doing a bathroom or any other room needing moisture resistant board, find out what type of wall board you will need and add that to the list. While you are at it, list your dream doors and windows. You may want wood french patio doors but change your mind when you see the cost. Now is the time to let the extravagant things go. You should also have an idea the cabinets and list what you would like to have.

Now you have your list of wants. Your local big box hardware store like Lowes or Home Depot have websites. You can research what is available and at what cost. The Dwell sight uses Sherwin Williams color palettes so you might compare the cost for that paint with what the big box store offers. While paint is not a huge item, these are the kind of costs that can break the bank. You will be able to find the price for almost everything you want online. If I were to do this I would go to IKea too. They have wonderful ideas for the diy home improvement junkies...like me!

If you are going to do this yourself, you need to give yourself a reality check. Even the semi-experienced carpenter needs to do this. It will keep you from getting in over your head. Do you have the right tools and if not what will it cost to buy or rent what you need? Can you haul stuff? What will a dumpster cost when you start tearing things out and where can you legally put it? And don't forget there may be delivery charges if you don't own a pickup...plus you may be waiting for supplies because you are working on the delivery truck's schedule. Do you have the skills to do the basic things but not the finishing?

If the answer to the above questions are mostly NO then you might consider doing your own contracting...that is a fancy word for going out and finding your own plumber, electrician, drywall hanger (the best investment ever), carpet layer and even painter. Ask everyone you interview if they will let you help to reduce the cost. Angies List is a service that may be able to help you. References from friends might be helpful. Please, please be very careful when you select these people. I have alway been a slackard when it came to checking references and I have regretted it. Don't make this mistake and be surprised by contractors that are inexperienced or just plain bad.

If you hire a contractor, you should know about how "contractor time " works...tomorrow does not necessarily mean tomorrow! Especially if they are busy and really good. Get your contractor's cell phone number and the number of the current employee that is working onsite. A busy company may be working on several jobs at one time. That is how they make a living. If you are working then you can check in on the work site during the day. Remember even big job sites have a project manager...that is what you become when you hire a contractor. Make them explain why they are doing what they are doing.  Keep your demands realistic but always be firm. It is a very fine line! I have never thought that making these people mad worked in my favor. A cup of coffee and some cookies seems a better choice.  However, there is a time and place for CRANKY....REALLY CRANKY!

This is a lot of information...but the more you know the better your chances are of pulling this off. This process really is filled with surprises big and small. Maybe you can keep them to a minimum.  I think it is worth it. Not only have we been able to live a better life because we were not afraid to try new things but we also have bragging rights! Let me tell you, there is nothing quite like bragging rights!

b

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