Email to a friend  Printer friendly version More of This Article • 1. Getting Organized • 2. Surviving a Remodel • 3. Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Related Resources • Before You Remodel • Optimizing Your Effort • How to Hire a Contractor About Interior Decorating Subscribe to the Free Newsletter Your Email Address:

It may be the result of a good economy, the proliferation of new home products, along with an increased awareness of good design, but the desire to make our homes comfortable, beautiful, and unique is on the rise.

Giant home superstores are popping up in every city and tradesmen have waiting lists of clients. But despite the interest and the desire, anyone who has remodeled will tell you it is a challenging proposition on many levels.

Fortunately there are many sources on the net where you'll find good solid information and advice on the subject of remodeling. Here are some of the things to consider as you think about your project, along with links to some good sources for further research.Do Some Research
Start your project by researching options, gathering information, collecting samples, and forming ideas. Use design magazines, books, and the Internet to build a file of your "wants". Visit home centers, showrooms, and model homes to see layouts and innovations. Make notes and keep files of your preferences.

Related Links:
• Remodel tips
• NAHB Tips: Is It Time to Remodel?
• 10 Steps to Remodeling Your Home
• Financing Options and Budgets
• Tips for Consumers on Remodeling
  

Plan Ahead
Make lists, measure, and think about every detail. If you need a spot for your huge farmhouse dining table, you'll want to have that on your list as a consideration. Bring in an interior design professional to help you refine your plans and point out elements you may not have considered.

Related Links:
• Home Design Software Options
• Hiring a Professional Designer
• Think of Window Treatments Before You Build
• HomeStore.com Remodeling Articles
• Arrange the Furniture Before You Build
• Renovators Place: Managing the Renovation
• Renovators Place: Remodeling Checklists
• Renovators Place: Remodeling Timeline
• Dept. of Energy: Consumer Info

Hire Wisely
Use the links below to find some helpful checklists, tips, and interview questions when hiring a contractor. Finding the right person to work for you may be one of the most important elements in a successful project.

Related Links:
• The Better Business Bureau
• Finding and Hiring a Contractor
• 10 Questions to ask Contractors
• Choosing a Remodeler
• Pre-Qualify Your Remodeler
• Understanding a Remodeling Contract
• Tips on Contractor Hiring
• NAHB: Remodeling Articles
• Pro Advice Library
• Common Renovation Questions
• Selecting the Best Service Professional
• Renovators Place: Contractor Issues
• Renovators Place: Being Your Own General Contractor

About Remodeling Remodeling may strike fear in many a homeowner's heart, but it hasn't dulled the passion to revise our own spaces. The escalating craze for HGTV, home magazines, and home super stores all attest our love affair with making our homes special.

To learn more about planning a successful home remodeling project, we've gathered ideas from these About Guides.

Jackie Craven, About's Architecture Guide sets out her tips on the remodeling process in "Before You Remodel".

Glenna Morton About's Interior Decorating Guide helps us "Get Organized with Online Advice" for remodeling.

So, whether your project is a major renovation or a small "redo", there's lots of helpful information on the net to get you started and keep you going. Join us for this look at "Remodeling".

GO ON TO:
Page 2: Surviving a Remodel, DIY, Reference,
Page 3: Kitchen and Bath Remodeling