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There is nothing worse than spending months living in the debris that was once your home! If only some preparation had gone into the remodel project, it could have been completed more quickly, with better results.

Here are some tips to consider BEFORE your remodel begins. Get organized and your remodel will yield a better result:

1. If you are hiring a contractor, hire one who comes highly recommended from a friend or a company who works regularly with a myriad of contractors; they will know which contractors are competent, efficient and meticulous in their work.

2. Hire a contractor whose specialty is in the area of your specific remodel. For instance, if you're doing a kitchen remodel, hire someone whose specialty is kitchens. Ask to see one of his kitchen remodels. When visiting his completed project, pay attention to the little details of his work. Also, ask the property owners if the contractor was easy to work with and if he stuck to the budget and time-line that they had agreed upon.

3. Once you have agreed on a particular contractor, be very clear about whether or not his bid is a firm bid or whether you can expect overruns. Know that when you get bids from several contractors, picking the cheapest bid does not always guarantee that this is going to be the exactly the price you will pay. Unless you have a signed contract with the contractor in which every little detail is spelled out, you can expect overruns.

4. Before you decide on your specific contractor, know exactly what you want. Find as many design magazines as you can. Cut out the photos of the things you like and those you dislike. Put them all on a cork board, label each "like," "dislike," "cool cabinet style," and so on. This will paint a clear picture for your designer or contractor as to what you actually want. Nothing will get lost in the translation because you've shown him a picture, rather than described your likes and dislikes.

5. If you see a room in a friend or family member's home that you like, ask to take photos. Put them on the board also.

6. Now, in your own mind, you have chosen a design style and color palette. Run those by your mate; avoid expensive re-do's that can occur because your partner hates something you've chosen. Be clear with each other as well as with your designer or contractor.

7. Know your budget; don't expect pricey granite unless you are willing to pay for it. Remodels are about "give and take." You may get your granite counter tops but forgo the French white limestone

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