Before You Begin

Are you ready to do some home improvement or remodeling? Maybe you're trying to make a business out of flipping homes? House flipping and remodeling can be very rewarding for you and your family, but there are some things you should know before taking a sledgehammer to any walls. Whatever you're looking to do, the Resourceful Remodeler is happy to offer you a few tips and help with all your home improvement needs.

• Can I do this myself or do I need to hire some help? Many cosmetic improvements can be done by you with a little research and hard work. You may want to consider hiring a contractor when you're making structural changes (knocking down walls, additions, etc.) to your home. Someone who can accurately assess the structural integrity and improvement possibilities of your home can go a long way to saving you headaches and money in the long run.



• City zoning permits and codes. Every city or township has regulations on what you can do. Before you get too far into your remodeling endeavor, you'll want to make sure your dream room is an actual possibility. Call your local City or Town Hall and speak with them, they are very helpful in planning your project.





• Who will use the space, and what will it be used for? Now that you've got the go ahead for your project, it's time to really start planning. Is your space going to be a play area for children, an office for your home business or a game room for Friday evenings with the guys/gals?



• What furniture will go in the room? You know what you want the room to be, but what will go in it? Maybe a pool table or a big screen TV. Whatever it is, make sure you plan for it. It's a little disheartening when you realize you have plenty of space for the 9-foot pool table but can only fit a 7-foot table through the door.



• How will the room be lit? You know who will use the area, how it will be used and what will be in it, but how will you light the room. Will hanging lights interfere with your dart game? Will you want to dim the lights when you watch a movie in your new home theatre? Will the room require a fan to help air circulation?



• Will this project require any electrical or plumbing changes to your home? Do you need wiring for your new in-wall surround sound? Do you want water running to the icemaker of the refrigerator in your new bar?



• How does this project affect the rest of the house? Does the resale value increase or decrease if I put in an above-ground pool in the back yard? Will a new home theatre mean I can use my living room for something else?



• How will this project affect my family? Will remodeling a kitchen mean we eat at home more? Will a new game room mean we entertain guests more often?



• Did I check for safety? Always call your electric and gas companies before digging. Make sure all electrical circuits and/or water is turned off when installing or repairing electric and plumbing appliances.





• How much will it cost? This is the big one! Many people get into a project not realizing they'll have to pay for more besides the construction costs. You need to plan for things such as furnishings, running more appliances and the cost of entertaining. We hope this list helped you realize the additional costs home remodeling can bring. Cost can vary substantially depending on what your project consists of. As a general rule, you can use $200/square foot as a ballpark figure for additions.