5 Remodeling Fears That Keep Your Dreams on Hold
Do you ever find yourself dreaming of what life would be like when you finally have that new kitchen or bathroom? You see visions of the perfect dinner party with everyone laughing and happy in your organized kitchen. Or maybe you dream of how relaxed you’ll feel when you soak in your new bathtub after a long day at work.
And then…..the remodeling fears set in, you’re stopped dead in your tracks, and your dreams are placed on hold.
So many of my clients have heard horror stories about remodels gone bad. Once you hear one bad story, they seem to pop up everywhere. Has that ever happened to you? After listening to these stories over and over, I’ve discovered that there are 5 remodeling fears that keep your dreams on hold. But I know it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s a way to avoid the nightmare and send you down the path to your dream kitchen or bath.
Fear #1 – Making Costly Mistakes
We’re all afraid of making a mistake, especially when it costs us money. And because of this we often second guess our decisions. The solution to this is to begin with a plan and stick to the plan. Do your research on all the products you’ll need in your new space. Check the dimensions so you know that things will fit. And consult with an interior designer to guide you through the process and give you professional advice.
Fear #2 – Having it take longer than expected
When you’re interviewing a contractor, be sure to get an approximate finish date that matches your expectations. One way to avoid construction delays is to have all of your products ordered and stored before your room is demolished. Then, if items are back ordered, you won’t be left hanging until it arrives.
Fear #3 – That it will cost more than was budgeted
Keeping a budget spreadsheet that you continually update is one way to avoid this fear. It also lets you see where you can blow it to buy that “gotta have” item. And where you can save on something that isn’t as important to you. But things happen, and you need to be prepared for it. So I always recommend having a cushion of 5-10% for those unexpected issues.
Fear #4 – Unexpected surprises behind the walls
This fear always goes hand in hand with remodeling fear #2 and 3, because surprises behind the wall can affect the budget and the construction time. Unfortunately, as much as your designer and contractor plan for the perfect project, without tearing a wall open to peek inside, there’s no way to plan for it. It’s always a good idea to have a Discovery meeting just before starting. Then the contractor can cut open the soffit to look for venting or other obstacles.
Fear #5 – Hiring the right people
When you do your homework by asking your friends, neighbors, and family for referrals, you’ll be headed in the right direction. Hiring a contractor, builder, or interior designer should be more than just a cost comparison of fees and mark-ups. What is the experience they bring to the table? Be sure that whoever you hire is someone whose personality works with yours. Since you’ll be working closely with them for an extended period of time you need to like and respect each other.
By following these guidelines, you should be ready to take your dreams off hold, set aside your remodeling fears, and finally have the kitchen or bathroom that you’ve always wanted.