We have all heard stories of people who were taken to the cleaners by unscrupulous contractors and those who paid what seems like a price that is too good to be true. We have also heard stories of people who ended up paying more for a remodeling job than they expected. And, worse, we have heard of people who learned only after the fact that they paid too much for the work done.



When people don't pay the "right price" for a remodel, either they hired a contractor who took advantage of them, or they didn't do their homework before they started reviewing estimates and bids on the job. There are many ways you can protect your self from overcharges and from having a project simply get out of hand. The following ten tips can help you to pay the "right price" for your remodel.

1. Know the prices of materials.

The more you know about the prices of the materials needed for your remodeling job, the better your decisions will be about buying materials yourself or having the contractor purchase the materials for you. Knowing the prices of appliances, lumber, flooring, etc. allows you to shop around and take only the best deals.

2. Get at least 10 estimates.

Get as many estimates as you can. Not only will you be able to compare a larger number of estimates, you will have a better understanding of what is or is not included in the estimate. Be sure you are comparing like estimates. For example, if delivery charges for materials are not included in a bid, what materials are or are not included. If the bid is from a large contractor with lots of overhead expenses, it will be different from a bid from a small contractor with little overhead.

3. Save money where you can without sacrificing quality.

Saving money by settling for inferior quality materials or workmanship really doesn't save in the long run. Inferior materials or workmanship only promise trouble in the future. Dont buy cheap electrical outlets and switches - you will end up replacing them too quickly.

4. Plan the financing of your remodel carefully.

It is just as important to shop around for financing as it is for materials and the right contractor. It is important to consider all financing options and select the option that works best for your budget.

5. Don't make changes once the work has begun.

Many late changes in plans, design or materials require work to be re-done. These changes can also result in either higher cost for the items or in buying original materials, having them used, and then buying additional materials to make the change.

6. Be careful about upgrades and add-ons.

A vital part of planning is thinking through the entire project and making decisions about what you do or do not want. Throughout the project, there will be suggestions from the contractor (and, possibly, others) about add-ons and upgrades. It is important to keep sight of the fact that each addition or upgrade results in additional cost.

7. Consider long-term costs and savings.

When choosing materials, appliances, fixtures, etc. it is important to consider long-term costs and savings as well. Paying the right price for your remodel at the time the work is done, but finding the work must be done over in a year, doesnt save any money in the long run. When choosing appliances, for example, decide if the long-term savings of energy-efficient models is worth some extra initial cost. Also, when making decisions about insulation, consider both the initial cost of the insulation and the long-term savings you will recognize in the cost of heating and cooling your home.

8. Look for rebates and tax breaks for energy efficiency.

Always ask about rebates from either the manufacturer or from your local utility company for installation of energy-efficient models of appliances. Also, keep your receipts and take all available tax breaks for installation of energy-efficient appliances.

9. Design carefully.

Avoid current fads (that work will be out of date when the fad is over and won't increase the value of your home) and try to avoid too much unnecessary detail. Keeping the design simple will contain some of the cost and make the finished area more functional both for your family and for the person who eventually buys your home. Take the time to think carefully about the flow of activity in your home and about the time when you eventually sell the house.

10. Do the work at the right time of year.

Consider how the weather might affect the amount of time required to complete the job. Replacing a roof during the rainiest month of the year might not be the wisest decision. If your remodel involves concrete work or running plumbing lines, you should not schedule the project during a month when the average temperature is below freezing. Also look for times when contractors have less work and might offer discounts to keep their employees busy.

These tips, and other thoughts they may inspire, will help you pay the "right price" for your remodel. The real key to paying the "right price" is to plan carefully, get lots of estimates and compare them carefully, don't sacrifice quality, know what things should cost, and plan and design carefully with a view to both immediate and long-term costs. Happy remodeling!