Remodel your home and save money, time, and aggravation. With today’s flat real estate market, more and more Americans are looking for ways to improve their current homes. Whether it’s fixing up that old bathroom or kitchen, or adding a whole new wing, remodeling expert Coleman Volgenau, Jr. can help you to do it for less. He tells you how to cut down expenses by managing the job yourself—even if you have no experience and can’t hammer a nail in straight. This practical guide leads you step by step through the entire remodeling process, telling you:
- What to know before you start—developing a "Family Plan," securing permits, and observing the 7 rules of successful remodeling
- How to estimate costs and stick to your budget—with complete guidelines and work sheets on figuring expenses for painting, decorating, and furnishing, along with tips on how to avoid budget killers
- Detailed information on getting the money you need to remodel—including mortgage refinancing, second mortgages, home equity lines of credit, home improvement loans, Title 1 FHA loans, and much more
- How to hire the best workers—obtaining bids, checking references, negotiating costs, and watching out for extras
- Plus — what to do if you’re not satisfied with the work, and complete sections on how to evaluate the effect of improvements on your home’s market value and on your taxes
