Are you planning a renovation but concerned about going over budget? Learn from builders and contractors which rooms are most likely to face spiraling costs and WHY, so you can avoid it. Getting home improvement services in Washington DC is exciting, but only if you hire the right professionals, especially now when homeowners across the country are rapidly reconsidering what they want in their homes.
We wanted to know which rooms in the house most frequently go over budget during a renovation, so we enlisted the help of experts ranging from designers to remodelers to contractors. And we can reveal that your kitchen and bathroom are the most likely to exceed your budget.
However, homeowners can take some steps to increase their chances of sticking to a budget. Continue reading to learn how frequently remodeling projects go over or under budget. Also, get expert advice on how to keep remodeling costs under control.
Unprofessional Home Improvement Services in Washington DC
One of the major reasons why home remodels go over budget is hiring unprofessional contractors. You should get at least three quotes for each service if you decide to hire professionals for your home remodel. Talking to professionals isn’t just about getting the best deal. It also lets you learn what services each contractor includes in their fee. In fact, the cheapest contractor may be a red flag for poor construction quality or subpar building materials. Every charge should have its own line item in a bid worth reviewing. Everything refers to every detail, from the type of sink fixture to the brand of roof shingles.
Upgraded Finishes
Owners choosing products outside of their budgets is the number one reason projects go over budget. Here are a few examples of where expenses can quickly add up.
1. Cabinetmaking
Cabinet prices vary greatly depending on the cabinet line, finish, and materials you ultimately select. It’s helpful if you already know what you want from the first meeting. Taller upper cabinets to maximize storage space will be more expensive. It helps if you knot that up front; it helps contractors guide you in your other selection choices or help you find another solution entirely.
2. Countertops
Countertop prices vary greatly due to the numerous material options available. If you want a particular material, please let your contractors know so that they can provide you with the best kitchen remodeling services in Washington DC while staying within your budget. Again, it is critical to be open and honest with your contractor. It allows them to serve you better!
3. Specifications
You’d be surprised how many options are available these days for adding special features to your cabinet packages, such as corner drawers, knife drawers, special spice, or wine racks. Each additional feature raises the cost of your cabinet package, so consider how much you’ll actually use it.
High Installation Costs
In many cases, homeowners choose less expensive materials for their bathrooms in order to save money, not realizing that the installation cost will be quite high regardless of the material used. If you choose something complicated to install, homeowners may mistake the cost for additional material costs, while in reality, it’s more work. Many homeowners want something done correctly so they don’t have to go back to it in a few years because someone made a mistake. It’s also worth noting that even “minor” changes to a shower, such as increasing the space by six inches on each side, necessitate the complete relocation of the plumbing. Such reasons make home improvement services in Washington DC more expensive.
Changing Your Mind
These final reasons will almost certainly “puff up” the overall costs of your project, like material selection, and are entirely within your control. Midway through your project, changing your mind about design choices will result in a change order, which will slow your timeline and increase your costs. This is why pros work so hard to ensure that your material selections are finalized before the start of work. With today’s shipping delays, changing a finish or material in the middle of a project can be disastrous. At the same time, we want you to love your finished kitchen! So, take a little extra time at the start to make sure you love everything you’ve chosen.
Sometimes your kitchen remodel becomes a kitchen, dining room, and living room remodel all at once. This is why, once again, pros take the extra time to plan your project with you before work begins!
They believe that their distinct design process has assisted the clients in keeping their kitchen remodeling services in Washington DC within their budgets.
One final thought: if you are open and honest with your contractor about your budget, they can better guide you through the design process so that you stay within it.
If you’re thinking about remodeling your home, DMV Home Improvement LLC is here to assist you. We are concerned about our customers’ experiences and are committed to communicating with them at all times. We can handle every task, from a kitchen remodel to a full home renovation. To learn more, contact us.