Answers

Hey Andy,

Consider setting up a DropBox account with your builder, so you can receive regular photos of the progress they are making. photos to answer questions you may have about product or performance. Email doesn't work as well because the size of emails restrict the number that can be sent in one email. DropBox allows you to not only post hundreds of photos, but you are also able to post various warranties, etc that you want to save for your own files.

DropBox is pretty convenient, unless of course you'd rather get several emails a day, charting the course of your new home.

Congratulations on the new home!

Chris Stebnitz

Stebnitz Builders

Elkhorn, WI 53121

They are tough to take off. If it's glued to drywall, you can use a prybar to rip it off from the drywall. Note: You will more than likely need to repair the drywall when you're finished, if you are going to have a finished wall. Go slow or you'll break the mirror. Also, wear safety glasses and gloves - a must.

Find a design-build contractor you trust and let them take you through their system. They will take all of the guess-work and most of the headaches out of th process, ensuring you enjoy the project during AND after. Also, check out the site https://Houzz.com Houzz is a great site for organizing your ideas and generating new ideas for design and product.

Have fun!!

Do your homework by not only interviewing several contractors, but talk to their previous clients and get their take on the value they received working with their contractor. There isn't a professional contractor operating that charges more based on where the project is located.

It's important you trust your contractor and that they are a good fit for how you like to operate. Take the time to understand their process. When all is said and done, you should be having fun through your project. If you're not, you might have picked a contractor that doesn't fit the best.

Good luck and HAVE FUN!! :)

Glen offered a very accurate and thorough answer to the question. The only thing I would add to it is the importance of receiving a detailed construction contract from your contractor. This should list (as Glen mentioned) model numbers, etc. What you should stay away from are "allowances". They are the number one driver for change orders. Allowances are often used in a contract when either the homeowner hasn't made a decision on a finish or fixture or the contractor is unsure how to bid a specific portion of the project. Inevitably there will be confusion as to what the allowance truly allowed for and what the final product/ decision did to the original price.

Best bet is to wait and start your project after you've made all the selections- and then figure that inspiration will strike you when you least expect it and you'll be adding that 10% at some point.

Have fun!

I would also check two things. Make sure all of the downspouts are running far enough away from the house. The ground is always moving. There could have been some settling that is now draining water back toward the house. Aldo, make sure all gutters are working proerly - no leaks.

If the ground seems to be diving down and back in to the home, bring in some black dirt to slope it back away from the house. This would obviously be the quickets and least expensive fix. Often times, it's the overlooked fix that would have solved the issue, rather than diverting water with a new wall system.

Good luck.

Chris

Check out the 2018 Cost vs Value Report from Remodeling Magazine.

2018 Remodeling Cost vs Value Report

This will give you an idea of the average return on your investment in the region where you live.

The one factor it will not give you is number of intangibles you may receive from the project you're considering.

• Lifestyle enhancement
• Number of years living in your new space
• New opportunities the space now provides

Make sure those are also part of your equation before making a final decision on the impact a remodeling project may make on the "value" of your home.