5 Things People Forget to Budget for When Planning a Remodel

A remodel can be a simple project that takes a few hours to complete in one afternoon, or it can be a major project that takes several weeks, various work crews, and a fairly substantial budget to finish.

The first step in your remodel, whether big or small, is budgeting. Don't forget these five things that are easily overlooked and can add thousands of dollars to your budget.

Taxes, Shipping, and Related Freight Charges

The amount of money that you plan to spend should be cushioned with an amount set aside for taxes on every item and the work that’s being done as well as extra charges for shipping/delivery to your site and more. Some companies may charge you an unloading fee, especially if they’re delivering something large before the contractor arrives. According to Home Advisor, you may also be able to write off your expenses as a tax deduction.

Storage

Be sure to budget money for storing your belongings during the remodel so that they’re safe, out of the way, and not in danger of getting stolen, broken, or ruined in any way. It will be easier to put everything in a single place, so a small storage unit is a great idea until the remodel is finally finished.

Permits and Fees

While it may depend on the laws in your area, you may need to have permits for your remodel if it’s going to involve adding a certain amount of value or living space to your home, if it’s outdoors, or if the cost of the remodel will be over a certain dollar amount.

It’s always best to find out if you need any type of permit before you get started. Most contractors will let you know what permits are needed and who will be responsible for applying for them.

If you fail to get the proper permits for your work or if the approved work doesn’t meet certain standards, then you may need to pay penalties, which can include fines, legal fees, and more. If you live in an area with a homeowners’ association, clear all work through them to avoid messy legal issues down the road.

Materials

Most often when you decide to remodel, you want to get the best material possible. That's fine for certain things but using the best materials can get expensive very quickly. Rules of Renovation suggests that the cheaper option in this situation would be to find less expensive alternatives to the materials you want. You can still get the look you want during your remodel without sacrificing your budget for the materials.

Hotels

Even if you had originally planned to stay in your home during the remodel and just work around the noise and the chaos, sometimes you have to throw in the towel and get away for a day or two. Build this cushion into your budget just in case.

Remodeling can be a stressful process, but by planning ahead and budgeting, you can make sure it goes smoothly. Click Cabinets strives to make at least the kitchen portion of your project as low stress as possible - you can even plan and shop in your pj's from the comfort of your bed!