Remodel

If you're about to embark upon a home remodel, you can get some good tips from the National Association of Home Builders. One of the things they emphasize is preparation before the remodeling crew shows up for work when the job begins.

Consider these things. Keep in mind that some projects, like a simple bathroom remodel can take only weeks, but adding a few rooms to your home can take six months or longer. So you'll need to discuss timing with your contractor and come up with a schedule. On the front end, you'll need to budget time to get the proper permits before construction begins. Once construction is under way, you'll need to set aside time for meetings with your contractor or contractor representative to get updates on the job's progress and determine if everything's going according to schedule. At these meetings, it's a good idea to ask your contractor to provide you with a schedule for the next week's work. You also might be placing some of the product orders for custom items yourself. You'll need to build in time for the product (such as custom cabinets) to be ordered, built and delivered.

Before workers set foot in your home, you need to set some parameters. Is it okay with you if they play radios while they work? If so, how loud? And are there some stations you simply cannot tolerate? It's a good idea to get this out in the open before the radios start to blare and tempers start to flare.

Is there a place near your home where you'd like the workers to park their vehicles? Let them know. Also, let them know if any places are off limits for parking.

How about your bathroom? Is it okay for workers to use yours, or do you want them to rent a portable toilet? (Some people say this is a bad idea because when a portable toilet is in front of a home, it attracts the interest of thieves who may think the property is vacant in the evenings while work is going on during the day.)

Is it okay with you for workers to use your telephone for local calls, as long as they're business calls? It's better to know this before you see a worker on your phone and are miffed.

What about smoking? Will you allow this anywhere on your property during the remodel?

There are also neighbors to notify about the remodel's scope, duration and hours. Is it okay with you and your neighbors for electric saws to start buzzing at 8 a.m.? Figure this out, set the hours, and see to it that everyone sticks to the agreements you've made.

All of these things done in advance contribute to a successful outcome. You can get more tips from the National Association of Home Builders' website at www.nahb.org.