Remodeling your home can be an exciting and rewarding process. All too often, however, things go wrong, costs go up, and your project goes from fun to a nightmare in a matter of days. It doesn’t have to be this way, and a thorough understanding of potential hidden costs that may arise will help to prevent some of those not so pleasant "surprises."

Unless you’re an enthusiastic weekend warrior, many of us don’t have the time or energy to tackle our own remodels. After a hard week’s work and other consuming family obligations, the last thing we feel like doing is demolition and remodeling. Additionally, a remodel disrupts the order we all enjoy in everyday life, and the shorter the project the better. A certified contractor should give you a complete bid that plans ahead for the unexpected. A signed contract means that he will have to absorb those hidden costs, not you. Unless you have tremendous trust and confidence in your contractor, never do a job labeled "time and materials." There are too many unforeseen obstacles that can be time-consuming and expensive. There is a lot of room for manipulation of time as the contractor realizes he underestimated the extent of the project.

In addition to the obvious labor and materials costs, your contractor should plan for every thing, down to the smallest nail. Your project will include permit costs, disposal of demolition debris, a portable toilet, and many small insignificant items such as: outlet covers, light bulbs, and cocking. He or she should also prepare for the unexpected-i.e. dry rot, insect infestation, new wiring or plumbing, or anything that may pop up and require more time and money. An experienced contractor should have a pretty good idea ahead of time of what he may encounter and plan accordingly. On rare occasions, something major and unexpected, such as the removal of asbestos, may incur additional costs that you may be included in.

Have a realistic picture in mind before you begin your project. Just expect it to take longer than your contractor predicts, although he should be held to a reasonable length of time. It can be difficult for the construction industry to follow a strict schedule as each subcontractor relies on the previous contractor to be done on time. If you have a signed contract, you should not have to pay for this extra time. The contractor knows this potential ahead of time and is responsible for bidding the project correctly to begin with.

Having the right contractor is literally the key to a successful project. You are paying him to reduce, not add too, your stress level. Request a free estimate from one of our pre-screened remodeling contractors to ensure your project goes as planned.

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