Steps Before Remodeling

Almost every homeowner in the country, when pressed, would be able to find one or two things that they'd like to change about their property. If the change is a small one, such as installing carpet in a single room, it's likely that a contractor will be able to give you an accurate estimate (possibly without even seeing the space). Other remodeling ideas are, however, a lot harder to gauge without a large amount of information. There are simply too many variables involved in a major project or room addition to come up with an average square foot price or expect a contractor to give you a firm and free remodeling estimate.

What Goes into a Remodeling Estimate
Large remodeling projects have many facets, each of which usually has several choices that must be decided upon before any kind of estimate can be made. Not only must you consider structural aspects, such as load-bearing walls, location of plumbing and wiring, and possible changes to the roof line, but you must also decide which kinds of materials you want. Do you want custom or pre-manufactured cabinets? Will your countertops be solid surface, tile, or granite? Maybe you prefer carpet to hardwood floors? In a kitchen or bathroom, remodeling ideas can be even more varied considering the amount of workspace, plumbing fixtures, and appliances that are possible.

Well-planned Remodeling Ideas
Your best bet is to go into your project with a firm plan. Since remodeling ideas are as diverse as the people who think them up, having a distinct vision of what you want will give your service provider a clearer view of the kind of work that needs to be done. Contractors may be able to give you a rough or ballpark bid based on what you think you want, but no one can give you an exact remodeling estimate without working from a set of plans and specifications. The best way to get a reasonable price is to pay a contractor or residential designer to draw a set of plans and specifications, and then collect competitive bids on this, preferably from at least three different contractors.

A residential designer can also contact other professionals such as structural engineers, as needed, to draw plans that will meet building codes in order to apply for all the necessary building permits.

Consider also hiring a building designer, residential designer, or architect who specializes in residential remodels and home additions. These specialists are trained to discuss your priorities, budget, and design and draw your plans, including a list of specifications listing the materials you want in detail (by brand name, model number, etc.). Then you can give those to about three different contractors to bid. You could also interview some design-build contractors who can oversee it all.

Remodeling Estimates and Geography
If you have several remodeling options and are trying to figure out which is the best choice for your situation, it's a good idea to take a look at the statistics on those kinds of jobs in your geographic area. Depending on where you live, some remodeling ideas are better than others. For example, creating an attic bedroom is more cost-effective and adds a higher percentage of resale value to your property than remodeling a basement in Los Angeles, while the opposite is true in Richmond, Virginia. In some cases, choosing the right remodeling project to enter can mean the difference between losing money in construction costs and gaining money in added market value.