| ORGANIZE! To make the job easier and ensure | | | | building shelving in the garage. Or offer to help out |
| your percentage of good ideas is as high as | | | | a neighbor or volunteer for a Habitat for |
| possible, you need a strategy to organize your | | | | Humanity project. These experiences will give you |
| information. Use a three-ring binder or expandable | | | | a firsthand look at the work. Alternately, you |
| file folder. You must keep copies of all contracts, | | | | might take an education course at Home Depot, |
| change orders, invoices, receipts, and permits. | | | | Lowe's, or another building material store. |
| These will be invaluable if you have disputes with | | | | Tips for finding a contractor: |
| your contractors and when tax time comes | | | | Ask for referrals from friends, neighbors, and |
| around. Other sections to consider are ideas from | | | | co-workers. |
| magazines, quotes, contractor contact info, and | | | | Ask other people who have done work for you in |
| so forth. | | | | the past such as your plumber or gardener. |
| You can purchase an organizer at | | | | Search your local and free newspapers for |
| Don't be afraid to play designer. Many "amateur" | | | | contractors' ads. |
| home designers come up with great ideas, and | | | | Try online referral services such as the one |
| since you are living in your home day after day, | | | | offered at |
| you can have better ideas than the "pros." So get | | | | Ask at lumberyards and hardware stores, |
| out a pencil, make 100 copies of your current | | | | especially lumberyards that cater to contractors. |
| floor plan, and sketch out all the alternatives. It | | | | Always make sure your contractor is fully |
| doesn't matter how great or bad they are, | | | | licensed with state and local governments. Make |
| experiment with alternatives. At this point it's | | | | sure the license is valid and up to date--do not |
| free, so enjoy! | | | | rely on the contractor's word. You should contact |
| But don't get too wild and crazy. You are almost | | | | your state, county, and city governments for |
| always better to stick with a traditional size and | | | | information on the contractor's license. The |
| shape in a home, both for resale value and cost | | | | website lists licensing requirements for all fifty |
| for your remodel. Having a kitchen on the second | | | | states. Also make sure the contractor is fully |
| floor may strike you as a clever and unique | | | | insured and carries worker's compensation, liability, |
| solution, but if it means moving the gas, electrical | | | | and property damage insurance. |
| wiring, and plumbing up to the second floor, this | | | | Follow this contract check list: Every contract |
| change will add significantly to the project costs. | | | | should include: |
| And don't install bright orange tile on all the floors: | | | | Contractor information including name, address, |
| If you have to move unexpectedly, most | | | | telephone numbers, license number. |
| prospective buyers will deduct the cost to replace | | | | A list of what the contractor will and will not |
| it from their offer. | | | | do--for example, the tasks you have chosen to |
| Figure out what you can do yourself. Have | | | | do, such as painting or demolition. |
| contractors itemize their quotes to determine | | | | All materials, sizes, colors, specifications. |
| which phases of your project you might be able | | | | A dated copy of all drawings and diagrams. If |
| to do yourself and which ones you want to hire | | | | changes need to be made during the project, |
| someone to do. Tasks you might consider doing | | | | they should be made to these documents and |
| include project management, demolition, rough | | | | initialed and dated by both you and the contractor. |
| electrical wiring, installation of cabinets, fixtures, | | | | Start and finish dates. |
| and appliances, and finish work. Tasks you should | | | | The times work will start and finish and the days |
| probably leave to the pros include foundation | | | | of the week that workers will be at your home. |
| work, framing, installing sheetrock and breaker | | | | How change orders will be handled. |
| boxes, and connecting your home to the electrical | | | | A warranty for one year. |
| service. | | | | A binding arbitration clause. |
| Consider "practice" remodeling. If you aren't quite | | | | A statement of how the contract can be |
| ready to commit to doing part of the work | | | | canceled. |
| yourself, get some hands-on experience. Find a | | | | A statement that the contractor will provide |
| small project around the house and tackle it | | | | affidavits of final release, final payment, or final |
| yourself, such as putting a floor in the attic or | | | | lien waivers from all subcontractors and suppliers. |