Home renovation and remodeling projects come in all shapes and sizes. You can remodel your kitchen, for example, with a new faucet, a throw rug in front of the sink, and maybe – for good luck – a new light fixture or recessed lighting. Then again, you can gut your kitchen and start all over and end up with the kitchen of your dreams.

This blog is about bigger projects. The kind you can’t just dive into without first developing an action plan, budgeting, scheduling – to say nothing of choosing the right professional contractors to make it all come together on time, and on budget.

But even with the advice we’re about to share, it’s important to remember that rarely if ever does a major remodeling or renovation project come off without a hitch. It’s simply the nature of the beast. So, being forewarned is to be prepared for the “anything can happen at any time” factor.

Is it worth the investment? Wanting and needing are two different things. If a renovation project is vital to a family member’s well-being, home resale value takes a back seat. On the other hand, if the project is more cosmetic and less about improved functionality, and you plan to move in the near future, then ask yourself if it’s worth to handle the project yourself or leave to the future owners.
Budget first, start later. Any large home renovation project has both direct and indirect costs. Those all need to be accounted for, as best you can, before getting underway. In the process, allow for a contingency fund, because you just know something is going to come up that neither you nor anyone else could have predicted.
Interview and select your design/build team. Whether you choose a general contractor who has all their own people lined up, or choose each contractor on your own, do so carefully and methodically by checking on their licensing, insurance coverages, BBB standing, experience with your particular type of project, customer reviews, and so on. And don’t hesitate to get multiple quotes.
Insist on a work schedule/renovation plan. Many homeowners prefer serving as their own general contractor, and that’s fine, provided there’s one person ultimately in charge. Whether it’s you or someone you hire, insist on at least a rough work schedule from demolition to final painting and furniture delivery, etc. That schedule should also include a payment schedule for the general contractor and/or each service contractor you hire. Who gets paid in installments? Who requires full payment after their part in the project is completed? All that, and more, needs to be documented in advance.
Stay on track. Talk to your contractors throughout the project, and don’t hesitate to speak up if some aspect isn’t turning out the way you envisioned. You are, after all, entitled to change your mind, even in mid-stream. The budget may need to be re-worked, of course, and the project might be delayed, but ultimately, it’s all about you getting what you want and what you’ve agreed to pay for.

Several home remodeling projects require some changes and additions to your heating and cooling systems, and Optimum Air is the company that can point out what needs to be done and then just make it happen. For example, is your furnace and/or AC system large enough to accommodate an extra room? Or would you be more efficiently and affordably served by heating and cooling that room with a ductless air system?

For the answers you seek and all the help you need, contact Optimum Air today.