Remodeling tips

We at Hawkes Home Improvement can't stress enough the importance of planning and organization before starting your remodeling project. Here are some up-front remodeling tips to get you started.

Make a Game plan

To help you refine your ideas, make two lists: Must have Necessities and Nice to have wishes. If you have to make budget choices or other decisions, your lists will give you a place to start.

Use a divided notebook and binder

It will be a single place that you can:

    * Store all the paperwork you will accumulate,
    * Record contact information for suppliers.
    * Gather notes about other sources you might want to track down.
    * Use as a diary of your progress.

Designate a "Remodeling Stuff" area

Assign one location for items related to your remodeling project. It could be a shelf, a dresser drawer or a large tote bag. Items you may want handy could include:

    *  A tape measure.
    * A notebook for jotting down preferences, measurements,  product information and anything else that is important to have nearby.
    * Samples of materials such as tile, countertop samples or paint chips.

Ways to prepare

When you're remodeling any area of your house, it is good to empty the room of at least the items you don't want to get dusty or misplaced.

When I begin a remodel my goal for the first day is to get the de-construction done, so items being removed before we get the helps the schedule.

If you're remodeling a kitchen or bath, those rooms can (almost always) be stripped down to just stud walls in 1 day.

Everything you do beforehand will help speed the process of your remodel.

What to expect during your remodel

Almost everything a remodeler does will create dust.

• We try to contain as much as we can with plastic and cleaning, but we can't stop all of the dust from getting out.

• It is a good idea to put a lock box on your house with a key in it so that you don't have to worry changing your plans to let the workers in. (the key code should be limited to you the contractor and a lead carpenter)

• You should designate one restroom for the workers so that workers are limited to the one bathroom, if you do not want to designate a bathroom it is perfectly acceptable to ask the contractor to provide a port-o-toilet. (this may result in an extra charge unless it was in the original estimate)

• There can be delays that happen that are beyond the contractors control. For example outside projects are highly dependant on the weather. Inside project are dependant on material and sub-contractors schedules.

• If you have children it is natural that they will want to see what is happening. Please go with them. A construction area can be dangerous no matter how much the contractor tries to make it safe.

• In larger remodels a dumpster will probably be needed. Deciding where it will go is important.

• There are normally changes during the remodel, your contractor should provide change orders for adding and removing things from the original contract.

If you'd still like to know more about remodeling, check out some of these books from Amazon.com.

For questins and comments please send me an email at info@hawkeshomeimprovement.com

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