Things You Need To Know About Home Renovations

My hubby and I are fans of HGTV and the DIY Network. We've gotten some good ideas on how to freshen up our home and some good advice about contractors.

Last year I handled the painting of most of the rooms in our house. This year we are replacing old flooring (carpets, hardwood, vinyl). We did the living room floor ourselves, but opted to find a pro to handle the carpeting and kitchen vinyl. We learned lesson number 1 right away.

1. Always get multiple estimates! If we had gone with the first company to give us an estimate, we would have paid $700 more than with any other contractor. That is nothing to sneeze at.

2. Make sure you know the condition of what you are working on. Does the floor have a soft spot? Are the bathroom pipes shot? You need to be informed so you don't get blindsided by a cost over run.

3. Never pay any contractor the full amount upfront. Always pay in increments. This way, if the contractor does substandard work or skips out on you, they have not taken all of your money.

4. Check the contractor's work. Don't assume it is going well. Be knowledgeable about what is being done, ask questions and if they say more money is needed make sure it is well explained.

5. If your instincts are telling you that something is wrong with the job, chances are there is.

The best way to protect yourself is to make sure your contractor has a good reputation (and not with your neighbors). Contact an organization like the Southern Tier Homebuilders & Remodelers Association. Make sure the previous work of the contractor is solid. You can also check the Better Business Bureau website. I strongly suggest doing both of these as well as Googling the contractor for reviews.

Earlier, I mentioned watching HGTV and DIY network. Well, one show hosts I liked was Mike Holmes. Holmes has made a career out of fixing the screw ups of other contractors and showing people like us how it's done right. His website has great information that will help protect you too.

Have a great renovation season!