The first step is to develop an idea of what you want to do with the remodeling of your home. Write a prioritized list of your needs and wants. There are many sources for finding design ideas for your home remodeling project. Look at magazines and websites and collect images of houses or remodeling projects that you like.
The more clearly you can imagine the project and describe it on paper, the better prepared you are to make your decision. Often, the best home remodeling ideas are easy to do and inexpensive. Painting, new accessories and a careful reorganization are largely part of many of these ideas. A few dollars for a self-installed thermostat saves hundreds of dollars in the long run.
Brick and cabinets can be painted. Or you can spend a little more on a pantry that wraps your refrigerator or on a complete bathroom renovation with a frameless glass shower and a built-in bathtub. Do you need an architect or interior designer in your “ideal team”? Every major renovation project requires a general contractor to handle the construction work done. However, some renovations require a home remodeling architect trained for technical and design services.
This may include creating architectural drawings for permits and approvals from the board or the Department of Buildings (or its local equivalent). Some renovators hire architects to provide them with a level of style, detail and administration. Some believe it's worth the expense, sometimes estimated at 20% of the budget.
