This may help you plan and stay on budget during you repair, remodel and renovation project.
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Staying on budget during your remodel and renovation project.

Staying on budget during your remodel and renovation project can be difficult and end up being much more expensive than you anticipated. Many renovations uncover issues you weren’t aware of when you started. It can be hard to stick to a budget during the renovation process.

Sticking to a home improvement budget requires an accurate estimation of your project’s cost right from the start. Then add a 10%-20% buffer for those unpleasant surprises that often result in cost overages. This home improvement project estimator shows the median costs for projects in the American Housing Survey.

Here’s a discussion on “Staying on Budget During My Repair, Remodel and Renovation Project”. This may help you plan and stay on budget during you repair, remodel and renovation project.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KEEP IN MIND BEFORE I BEGIN RENOVATION TO HELP ME STAY WITHIN MY BUDGET?

  • Plan ahead before you spend a lot of money! Make sure the design is exactly what you want! Do enough research to know when it’s smart to splurge on materials and appliances and when it’s not.
  • Many general contractors say the biggest mistake they see clients make is changing their minds mid-construction. That can easily ­derail the project. This is because of structural concerns, permit problems, and materials that arrive damaged or broken. These were all cited by contractors as primary reasons for delays. Anticipate these all-too-common issues and help keep your project on track. 

WHAT ARE SOME AREAS TO BE AWARE OF WHEN IT COMES TO RENOVATION COSTS?

  • A general contractor will tell you that unforeseen structural damage is one of the leading reasons a renovation will fall behind schedule. Your contractor can advise you on scheduling a home inspection to determine if you have any structural damage that needs to be repaired ahead of the renovation project itself, or if that damage will change your plans. 
  • Your contractors will get permits on your behalf but will charge you for obtaining permits. You may want to consider doing it yourself so that you aren’t spending $100 per hour for the contractor to wait in line. In some urban areas, obtaining permits is so burdensome that specialists call permit expediters to handle the process for you. Some cities keep lists of approved expediters at the building department. Engaging one gives you an advantage since their sole focus is to keep your project moving along.
  • It is not uncommon for a renovation project to be delayed because materials arrived damaged or the wrong items were shipped. You can avoid this all-too-common issue by shopping with local vendors whenever possible. You may pay a little more to buy materials in your area, but it can save you time and money from the problems that can arise when items come from far away.

Robert Calvo, General Contractor is proud to serve in and around the Carmichael community in repairs and renovations to area homes and businesses. You can read testimonials from our satisfied customers here. We are full-service repair specialists, too, so don’t hesitate to contact us for help. 

bathroom remodel
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Bathroom Renovation Mistakes

A bathroom renovation can be an expensive undertaking, so you will want to select the best designs, materials, and professionals possible to make sure your money is put to good use. You may also want to consider which bathroom renovation projects to avoid, and how to avoid costly mistakes. We can help you with that. 

Some bathroom renovation project mistakes to avoid are:

Moving Fixtures

One of the most expensive renovation projects is one that involves new plumbing. If you move the toilet, sink, or shower from its original location, you can just plan on your budget increasing by thousands of dollars. Before you take this particular step, make sure that it is a necessary part of achieving your dream design. 

Changing Plans

Before the project is ever started, make sure it can be achieved by having a detailed plan. If it is going to require walls being demolished, you may be smart to hire a designer to help you here. This plan needs to take the position of doors, windows, plumbing, and wiring into account so that you can avoid getting into the middle of your renovation only to find out that it is not something that can even be achieved. 

Putting Looks First

It’s easy to get carried away with all the beautiful materials and designs available for a bathroom and to completely forget functionality. Your bathroom needs to be easy and comfortable to use, first and foremost. A poor layout can make the most gorgeous bathroom a nightmare of awkward spaces. Always consider safety, accessibility, and comfort first. 

Sub-Par Installation

Businesses that claim to be cut-rate while achieving high-quality results should be avoided. Even the most expensive materials will look cheap and ugly if they are installed in an unprofessional way. You can end up with results that are so unacceptable, it is necessary to re-do the job. Expensive, wasteful, and frustrating, to say the least. It is also imperative to hire licensed professionals for electrical and plumbing work. These projects have to be done according to code, with permits in place. 

Wrong Materials

When selecting your materials, make sure they are durable and water-resistant. Many natural materials are lovely, but when they get damaged by water they don’t look so great anymore. Wood, wallpaper, and stone tile should all be treated so that they are able to repel water, soap, and other bathroom related substances.

Here at Robert Calvo, General Contractor, we have the experience and skill needed to complete your bathroom renovation project in a professional and timely manner. We are a full-service general contractor company, and we’re proud to serve the Greater Sacramento area business and home-owners.