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How to Remodel a House

Dream

Dream simple. Recognize your needs and estimate the simplest solution. Th
is project will quickly grow if you let it. Look at the money in your wallet/b
ank account and bid it. If you have a spouse, make sure you both have the s
ame dreams. It's a lot easier to understand the sacrifices you're both making
for something you both want than for one partner to make sacrifices for the
other's enjoyment. And there will be sacrifices.

Research

Go to the library and look at magazines appropriate to your

needs. If you need another bathroom, stay away from bedro
om magazines. Stay away from color and textures. If you c
an make do with an improvement or conversion of an existi
ng room, do so.

Draw

Unless you are competent at drawing, use graph paper and

measure the room you're building/converting. This is to hel
p you better express yourself. The people selling services a
nd supplies can understand a 2-dimensional bathtub in a 5 f
oot (1.5 m) wide room better than your description.

Talk to an electrician and a contractor

about the construction cost

Ask for an estimate on each of the parts. If you can do dry

wall, then you can save money. Don't do roofing unless you
already have the skill and tools required, at least. Don't do e
lectricity unless you really can. High school science doesn't
count. Look at the cost estimate and reconsider.

Hire an architect
For one room, it may not be worth it. But it won't be very e
xpensive, either. Your city planning office will appreciate th
e architect's drawing. Part of the value of your architect is t
hat he'll prompt your thinking about the project and offer id
eas and suggestions you may not have thought of. A good a
rchitect offers a unique, critical and connected view of your
project. Talk to your spouse about what the architect thinks
and asks you. Also ask the architect for their thoughts on co
ntractors, but know that the responsibility for the contract
with the builder will be yours as the homeowner. Ask the ar
chitect what permits you will need and ask if s/he can assist
you with getting them.

Go to the bank and apply for a loan for at least 10

% more than you think the job will cost.

Even if you are doing the work yourself, there are cost over
runs.

Ask your friends and colleagues who have had work done to
their homes about experiences with certain contractors

Find out if your contractor or architect will be appl

ying for building permits as well

Talk to several contractors about your project

Request a written itemized estimate for the cost of work, in

cluding labor and materials. Note that you may not wish to
go with the low bidder, keeping in mind that price is not ne
cessarily quality. Reputations are very important; that's why
you were talking to so many people about contractors.

Contractors are usually willing to negotiate

the price

If portions of the work seem easy, or within your skill rang

e, you may wish to complete them yourself. It's also a won
derful feeling to know that you completed portions of the re
modeling, assuming it is completed satisfactorily. Most peo
ple that are at all handy can hang sheetrock/dry wall (that w
hite stuff that comes in 8x4 panels.

You may also wish to include in the contract provi

sions for completing before the rains begin

least completing the roof before the rains begin. You will h
ave to accept the responsibility of guessing the day for begi
nning rains. No reasonable contractor, except in Arizona, w
ill promise to complete the work before it rains, but he shou
ld be able to finish before October 15, for example. For exa
mple, you may specify that the roofing will be complete by
October 15th or deduct $5,000 from the cost. You won't get
it free.

Hire a contractor

Schedule weekly visits with the contractor or fore

man to discuss progress. You don't want to get in
the way of the work, but you don't want somethin
g to progress too far before it gets fixed. This is
where that 10% extra begins to disappear.

Inspect the work daily, after the employees

have left for the day

You may wish additional electrical sockets, lights, sinks than was
described in the plans. For most of us, the physical manifestation
of walls is easier to understand than blueprints. Also, if something
doesn't seem right, for example a bathroom vent has no outlet, tell
the contractor within a day of noticing it. The more the work prog
resses, the more it will bury those little problems. The more the lit
tle problems are buried, the more expensive to fix.

HC Structural Engineering, Inc.

Building a structure is quite possibly the largest investment

you will ever make; you therefore want to ensure that your s
tructure is designed with integrity while maintaining a balan
ce of aesthetics. You can be assured that by working with H
CSE, Inc. you are choosing only highly qualified licensed e
ngineers and design professionals that will work hard to ens
ure your investment is protected.

Address : 1700 South Amphlett Blvd Ste 230, San Mateo, C

A 94015
Contact Us : (650) 557-4333
Fax Number : (866) 528-8862
Email : admin@hcseonline.com
Our Site : http://hcseonline.com/

Resources
http://www.wikihow.com/Remodel-a
-House