Adventures in Remodeling, Part 2

You also may be able to cut expenses by doing some of the "prep" work. If you have a room that's wallpapered and you're going to have it painted, removing the wallpaper yourself may cut back on the painter's hours and on your estimate.

Does it all need to be done now? Consider your cash flow, the time of year, and everything else that makes up your life. Think about your remodeling goals, and decide if you want to have it all done at once or whether anything can wait. A good reason to hold off on some items is if you're feeling the least bit apprehensive about it.

In our original plan, my husband and I had asked our contractor to include a front porch addition. But when we thought about it more carefully, we just weren't sure about the design we wanted. And some landscaping projects (plans for fencing and a garden) we were scheduling for next spring really needed to be ironed out before a front porch was constructed. We decided to wait until next summer for the porch, when we'll have a clearer idea of what we need and, hopefully, a bit more cash on hand to do it.

Many people who remodel see it otherwise: they want to get it over with all at once. The decision, of course, is up to you. Just make sure you consider each item on that estimate carefully-before it's too late.

I hope you can use some of these ideas during your remodeling. Remember, this is your home, your money and your decision, so be sure to stay in constant contact with your contractor, ask for frequent printed updates on your estimate, and shop around for the best possible choices in materials. Good luck!

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