Monthly Tips of the Trade

Updated frequently, check back often for more Tips of the Trade.

Pay for Supplies and Materials With Your Credit Card
Check with your contractor to see if they would allow payment by credit card for supplies and materials - or for their fee. If so, consider using a miles or cash back credit card - it all adds up.

Plan for Chases in Walls and Ceilings
Ensure that your plans provide chases in walls and ceilings so that plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, and cable can be readily routed throughout the house. You don't want to create the need for boxed in mechanicals if you can avoid it at the framing stage.

The best way to stay within your budget
The best way to stay within your budget is to develop your plans at a percent of your budget. The FHA renovation loans allow a 10% continency - count on it. If working only with a contractor, use 90% of your "real" budget for planning purposes. If working with an architech, use 80% of your budget. Figure that the architect will both come up with good ideas you'll want to include (maybe 5%) and go over your request (maybe 5%). Then during construction, unexpected discoveries, new ideas and other situations can increase your costs. Be safe and be happy. Plan for the unexpected.

"Where do you want the switches and outlets."
Be prepared for the moment the electrician stands in front of you and says "Where do you want the switches and outlets." Take some time, think about furniture placement, walk in and out of the area, think about height. All too often these important choices get left to the last minute and then regretted later (and expensive changes). Spend that up-front time instead of that after-the-fact cash.

Get the Survey First
If you think your land boundaries might be tight, have your property surveyed while you're still in the idea stage. It takes time to get this done and before you get too far down the design path with your builder or your architect, its good to know exactly how much area you have to work with.