Remodeling Guides
Working With Pros
100 Contractor Tips to Read Before You Remodel
Have a better remodel experience with tips from a contractor on how to plan, shop and communicate
The contractor-homeowner relationship can be complicated, but it's not hopeless — understanding the process can help you get the most out of your remodeling project. Take a look at the hints and suggestions I've picked up from my years of working as a contractor and put into 10 remodeling guides. Here are links to them all, compiled all in one place.
Some of these topics generated great discussions, too, so I encourage you to read the comments on each — they're a testament to the wealth of professional and homeowner knowledge on Houzz.
Some of these topics generated great discussions, too, so I encourage you to read the comments on each — they're a testament to the wealth of professional and homeowner knowledge on Houzz.
2. How to Shop for Your Remodel. This was about the pretty stuff — the materials. Make sure the things you put into your remodel are still pretty and doing their job for years to come by knowing about potential pitfalls and more.
Get these 10 contractor tips
Get these 10 contractor tips
3. What to Look for in a Contractor's Contract. You didn't buy your house by signing one sheet of paper or shaking some stranger's hand. This ideabook tells you what should be on the contract before you pay someone to transform your home.
Get these 10 contractor tips
Get these 10 contractor tips
4. What Your Contractor Really Means. This ideabook discusses a big source of frustration for homeowners working with contractors: communication. Learn how to read between the lines, and you and your contractor will both get more out of the relationship.
Get these 10 contractor tips
Get these 10 contractor tips
5. Ten Home Areas That Likely Need a Pro. Even if you're a die-hard DIYer, there are times when it's safer, smarter and less expensive to hire a pro than to tackle the project yourself. This article tells you when to say when.
Get these 10 contractor tips
Get these 10 contractor tips
6. Ten Hats Your General Contractor Wears. "Contractor" is a pretty general term. From plumbers to the people who handle security details when the country is at war, we call them all contractors. And what's more general than a general contractor? Part 6 shows you the roles a GC plays on a job.
Get these 10 contractor tips
Get these 10 contractor tips
7. Ten Ways to Get the Remodel You Want for Less. Remodeling always costs more than you think. Part 7 offers ways to get more bang for less bread.
Get these 10 contractor tips
Get these 10 contractor tips
8. Ten Remodel Surprises to Watch Out For. Just when you thought you had everything planned out and budgeted for, an unexpected issue pops up. Set aside a contingency fund and read this ideabook to find out common sources of unexpected cost increases.
Get these 10 contractor tips
Get these 10 contractor tips
9. Ten Ways to Remodel Greener. I got into this business because I love houses, but I strive to build green because I've seen what a wasteful process building can be. In this installment you can learn some tried and true ways to build green.
Get these 10 contractor tips
Get these 10 contractor tips
10. Ten Things Your Contractor Might Not Tell You. I’ll be honest — after writing about 90 things I’ve learned, I was tapped out. I had to start telling you the things we’re not supposed to tell you. This ideabook will help you know what your contractor is really thinking.
Get these 10 contractor tips
Tell us: What did you learn from your remodel?
Get these 10 contractor tips
Tell us: What did you learn from your remodel?
Get these 10 contractor tips