Just thinking about where to start with a home renovation can be overwhelming. Between deciding what to renovate, finding financing, interviewing contractors, it's hard to know where to begin. First, relax and take a deep breath. Then take a close look at what you want - and need - from your home renovation. Here's what to consider:
- Your Goals
Why do you want to remodel? Has your family outgrown your current floor plan? Have you always wanted a gourmet kitchen? Do you plan to sell soon and want to get the most resale value possible? Establish what your overall goal is with the remodel. - Your Needs
Determine what you need to do to your home to meet your goal. Now is the time to prioritize projects - a new plumbing and heating and electrical system may be more important than replacing your home's flooring. - Your Budget
Write down everything that you dream about doing for your home renovation. Then, make another list of all the things that must be renovated or updated. Consider how much more a month you could put toward a home improvement loan or how much money you have saved for the project. Pick up the phone and call architects and contractors to get an estimate of how much your renovation will cost. Compare the cost estimate with your preliminary budget, and decide what you can reasonably afford to do. Plan to pad your budget 20% or so to account for unexpected cost overruns. - Your Timeframe
Does your home renovation need to be completed by a certain time or event? Are you planning to move out of town or are you having a baby and need the extra room? Renovations can take longer than expected, so only plan to tackle what can be accomplished within your timeframe. - Your Skills
Can any projects on your list become do-it-yourself projects? Do you have the skills - much less the time - to tackle such a project? Most people think they can easily retile a bathroom, install new hardwood flooring or build a new room addition only to find these projects still remain half-finished years later. Be realistic about what you can and cannot accomplish.
Links and Resources:
- Flow Chart
- Check List
- Planning Process Flow Chart
- Home Energy Checklist
- Standard of Practice
- American Society of Home Inspectors
- California Real Estate Inspection Association
1. Before you choose a contractor we recommend that you go to our choosing a contractor page.
2. Once you have the answers to the above questions, you're ready to dive into the details. You'll need to securefinancing, locate an experienced contractor and then be prepared to enjoy your beautiful, newly renovated home.
3. You can pick topics from the menu bar at the top of the page.
Remodeling your home gives you an opportunity to add value, improve functionality and increase the beauty and enjoyment for years to come. With all the decisions to make - materials, colors, flooring, furnishings - the most important decision you’ll make is your contractor. The right contractor will streamline the building process, deliver high quality work and save you hours of work.
Understand the Players
When planning your home renovation, you may be working with a wide range of people.
- Architect - The architect designs the plans and creates a list of material specifications. He or she can also provide references for contractors who can implement your home renovation.
- General contractor - The general contractor oversees the entire project, and oversees the subcontractors, such as electrical, plumbing, painting, or roofing. Some contractors can help with planning and designing your renovation, while others do only the actual renovation work.
- Interior designer - The interior designer can help plan your rooms to make them more functional and can solve space problems, as well as give your home a whole new look.
- Design/build contractor - A design/build contractor sees the renovation job through start to finish. Design/build contractors usually work in conjunction with an architect or interior designer to help with the planning and designing phase.
What to Look Out For
While most contractors are honest, hardworking people, there can be potential scams and rip-off artists. Beware of a contractor who:
- Demands or only accepts cash
- Is high pressure
- Wants you to pay for everything up-front
- Tries to influence where you get your renovation loan
Interviewing your potential contractor is the first step in making your decision on who to trust with your home renovation. Be sure to ask following questions:
- What are your credentials?
- Do you have a portfolio of previous projects?
- Will I need permits for this project?
- Do you have references?
- Does this project require subcontractors?
- How long will the project take to be completed?
When considering a remodeling contractor, you want to take your time and do your homework before you open up your checkbook. As a first step, look for a company that has:
- Full insurance and a state contractor’s license in good standing
- A customer service department
- Experienced crews and technicians
- Uniformed crews
- Project supervisors and project managers
- Free in home estimates
- A physical office that you can visit.
- A member of the Better Business Bureau and the a "Homeowner’s League"
Check the contractor’s license
Most states require that any job costing more than $500 be performed by a contractor who holds a current, valid license from the Contractors State License Board. You can call your state’s Contractors State License Board or check a potential contractor’s license status online.
Make sure to contact references
Ask any potential HVAC contractor for at least three recent references. Any contractor who cannot readily supply a list of satisfied customers should be an immediate red flag. It sounds like a lot of time to invest in researching a contractor, but you’ll spend a lot more time - and money - trying to fix an unsatisfactory installation job.
Call the Better Business Bureau
Just as important as checking customer references, place a call to your local Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if they have any information about the contractor you are considering. You’ll want to find out the contractor’s standing with the agency and if any complaints have been made against the company. You can contact the BBB at (703) 276-0100 or www.bbb.org.
Review insurance coverage
Worker’s compensation and liability insurance are a must for any contractor. Ask to see a copy of the contractor’s certificate of insurance and then call the carrier to guarantee that the insurance is still in place. Again, it may seem like a lot of work to do up front, but you’ll rest assured that you’re working with a reputable contract
Work out a payment schedule
Avoid any company that requires you to pay the full amount of the project before beginning work. Terms should be 10% or $1,000 whichever is less for a deposit; 80% upon completion of the work; and the remaining 10% when the job passes inspection. Larger jobs may require a progress of payments that coincide with a work schedule and may require a considerable amount of progress payments. The main object is to never pay the contractor too much a head of work. Only work with contractors that you can trust, are reasonable, that can communicate, and are fair. Some banks can help you to set up a payment schedule that reflects the work schedule, some banks may even require it if the bank is lending you money.
- Did you contact the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) to check the status of the contractor's license?
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Did you get 3 local references from the contractors you are considering?
Did you call them?
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Building Permits will the contractor get a permit before the work starts?Did you read and do you understand your contract?
- Does the 3-day right to cancel a contract apply to you?
- Does the contract tell you when the work will start and end?
- Does the contract include a detailed description of the work to be done, the material to be used, and equipment to be installed? This description should include brand names, model numbers, quantities and colors. Specific descriptions now will prevent disputes later.
- Are you required to pay a down payment?
If you are, the down payment should never be more than 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less.
- Is there a schedule of payments?
If there is a schedule of payments, you should pay only as work is completed and not before. There are some exceptions contact the CSLB to find out what they are.
- Did your contractor give you a "Notice to Owner," a warning notice describing liens and ways to prevent them? Even if you pay your contractor, a lien can be placed on your home by unpaid laborers, subcontractors, or material suppliers. A lien can result in you paying twice or, in some cases, losing your home in foreclosure. Check the "Notice to Owner" for ways to protect yourself.
- Did you know changes or additions to your contract must be in writing? Putting changes in writing reduces the possibility of a later dispute.
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Our Service Areas Include:
Los Angeles County, Agoura Hills, Alhambra, Arcadia, Artesia, Avalon, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Bradbury, Burbank, Calabasas, Carson, Cerritos, Claremont, Commerce, Compton, Covina, Cudahy, Culver City, Diamond Bar, Downey, Duarte, El Monte, El Segundo, Gardena, Glendale, Glendora, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Huntington Park, Industry, Inglewood, Irwindale, La Canada Flintridge, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, La Puente, La Verne, Lancaster, Lakewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Maywood, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Norwalk, Palmdale, Palos Verdes Estates, Paramount, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Pomona, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, San Dimas, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Marino, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Monica, Sierra Madre, Signal Hill, South El Monte, South Gate, South Pasadena, Temple City, Torrance, Vernon, Walnut, West Covina, West Hollywood, Westlake Village, Whittier, Acton, Alondra Park, Altadena, Avocado Heights, Charter Oak, Citrus, Del Aire, Desert View Highlands, East Compton, East La Mirada, East Los Angeles, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Florence-Graham, Hacienda Heights, La Crescenta-Montrose, Ladera Heights, Lake Los Angeles, Lennox, Littlerock, Marina del Rey, Mayflower Village, North El Monte, Quartz Hill, Rowland Heights, South San Gabriel, South San Jose Hills, South Whittier, Val Verde, Valinda, View Park-Windsor Hills, Vincent, Walnut Park, West Athens, West Carson, West Compton, West Puente Valley, West Whittier-Los Nietos, Westmont, Willowbrook, Agoura, Agua Dulce, Antelope Acres, Athens, Bassett, Big Pines, Castaic, City Terrace, Del Sur, Firestone Park, Florence, Gorman, Juniper Hills, Kinneloa Mesa, Lake Hughes, Leona Valley, Llano, Neenach, Pearblossom, San Pasqual, Topanga, Two Harbors, Universal City, Valyermo.
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Orange County, Anaheim Hills, Anaheim, Atwood, Placentia, Balboa, Newport Beach, Balboa Island, Newport Beach, Capistrano Beach, Dana Point, Carlton, Yorba Linda, Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, Dove Canyon, Rancho Santa Margarita, East Lake, Yorba Linda, El Modena, Orange, Floral Park, Santa Ana, French Park, Santa Ana, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Las Flores, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lido Isle, Newport Beach, Mesa Verde, Costa Mesa, Monarch Beach, Dana Point, Newport Coast, Newport Beach, Northwood, Irvine, Olinda Village, Brea, Olive, Orange, Portola Hills, Lake Forest, Quail Hill, Irvine, San Joaquin Hills, Newport Beach, San Juan Hills, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana Heights, Newport Beach, Santiago Hills, Orange, South Laguna, Laguna Beach, Sunny Hills, Fullerton, Surfside, Seal Beach, Talega, San Clemente, Turtle Rock, Irvine, Tustin Legacy, Tustin, Tustin Ranch, Tustin, West Garden Grove, Garden Grove, Woodbridge, Irvine, Coto de Caza, Cowan Heights, El Modena, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Lemon Heights, Midway City, Modjeska Canyon, Orange Park Acres, Rancho Mission Viejo, Red Hill, Rossmoor, Silverado Canyon, Sunset Beach, Trabuco Canyon, Tustin Foothills, Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove,, Huntington Beach,, Irvine,, La Habra,, La Palma,, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills,, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Anaheim, Atwood, Placentia, Balboa, Newport Beach, Balboa Island, Newport Beach, Capistrano Beach, Dana Point, Carlton, Yorba Linda, Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, Dove Canyon, Rancho Santa Margarita, East Lake, Yorba Linda, El Modena, Orange, Floral Park, Santa Ana, French Park, Santa Ana, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Las Flores, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lido Isle, Newport Beach, Mesa Verde, Costa Mesa, Monarch Beach, Dana Point, Newport Coast, Newport Beach.
Service Zip Codes Include: 90020, 90024, 90024, 90025, 90025, 90026, 90026, 90027, 90028, 90046, 90048, 90048, 90048, 90049, 90049, 90049, 90067, 90067, 90068, 90068, 90069, 90069, 90077, 90077, 90210, 90211, 90212, 90212, 90265, 90272, 90290, 90401, 90401, 90402, 90403, 90404, 90405, 90405, 90406, 90407, 90408, 90409, 90410, 90411, 91011, 91012, 91040, 91041, 91042, 91043, 91201, 91202, 91203, 91204, 91205, 91205, 91206, 91207, 91208, 91208, 91209, 91210, 91214, 91214, 91221, 91222, 91224, 91225, 91226, 91301, 91301, 91301, 91301, 91302, 91302, 91302, 91303, 91304, 91304, 91304, 91305, 91306, 91306, 91307, 91307, 91307, 91311, 91311, 91316, 91320, 91320, 91321, 91321, 91324, 91325, 91326, 91330, 91331, 91331, 91335, 91340, 91340, 91341, 91342, 91342, 91342, 91343, 91343, 91343, 91344, 91344, 91345, 91345, 91350, 91350, 91351, 91351, 91352, 91354, 91355, 91355, 91356, 91360, 91361, 91361, 91362, 91362, 91364, 91367, 91377, 91381, 91381, 91381, 91384, 91384, 91401, 91401, 91402, 91402, 91403, 91403, 91404, 91405, 91406, 91407, 91408, 91409, 91411, 91411, 91412, 91413, 91423, 91423, 91436, 91436, 91501, 91502, 91503, 91504, 91504, 91505, 91505, 91506, 91523, 91601, 91602, 91602, 91602, 91603, 91604, 91604, 91605, 91606, 91606, 91607, 91607, 91607, 91608, 91609, 93020, 93021, 93062, 93063, 93065
