Thinking of renovating your home?  Many "do-it-yourselfers" wouldn't hesitate to pick up a hammer or a drill, even open up a bag of mortar and maybe after a little bit of online research, feel confident to get the job done themselves to save a bit of cash.  I've done it, and it can be very rewarding.  But it can also cause setbacks, disappointment and you may even end up spending more money in the end fixing mistakes you have made.  So when should you put down the tools and call in the professionals?  And how do you know which one to hire?  It can be a tricky business, but I have laid out some basic guidelines below to help you with the process.


Should you hire a Contractor?  

Let’s face it, when it comes to plumbing, electrical and structural issues in your home, you should definitely be hiring a licenced contractor.  And please don’t skimp out on the finishing work!  Many a job has been destroyed by poor finishing work.  Yes, the guts need to be in fine working order, but that’s not what shows on the surface.  There is nothing more disheartening than putting a ton of money, time and effort into a project to get it done right, only to see a poorly finished product.  If you’re not skilled in the construction trades, it is probably best to hire a contractor so that the job gets done right.

Which Contractor should you pick?  

It is always best to talk to a minimum of three contractors – more if possible.  According to Mike Holmes, the truly professional contractors make up about 20% of all of the contractors out there.  So three is definitely a minimum.  And remember, in order for a contractor to quote properly, they need to physically visit the potential job site.  

The first question that usually comes to our minds when trying to choose a contractor is – how much will it cost?  This question is certainly important; everyone has a budget, but it is not the most important question.  The first question you should ask is – what quality of work do you do?  A good contractor should be able to provide you with references and also a portfolio featuring the work they have accomplished.  

Next: ask about permits.  Always ensure the contractor obtains the correct permits for the work they do.  This will provide peace of mind for you – the client – that the job has in fact been done right.  

Finally, never pay for a job up front.  10% down is a reasonable price to pay to get a job started.

Ultimately, the choice is yours.  But remember that price will depend on what the job is, and what quality of products are being used.

How to manage a Contractor

There are two basic ways to do this: 

1. Hire a general contractor to manage the work
   
2. Manage the individual contractors yourself
   

Whether you choose the first or second option, communication is key.  You need to be clear with your requirements.  It is best to go into a contract agreement with whomever you hire so that there are no misunderstandings about the job.  If any red flags pop up, you always have the contract to fall back on.  

Finally, as long as there is mutual respect, clear communication and a solid contract, management of a contractor should be a smooth process.  

There's nothing like a Sunday full of open houses!  For me anyway...  Houses are popping up on the market every day and it's only going to get busier!  The mad rush is about to begin - and I'm ready for it - are you?

  If you're getting ready to list your home, there are some key points to remember:

1. STAY CALM

Ok, so that's really all you have to do.

There is a world full of professionals to take care of everything for you!  

In today's society full of "do-it-yourselfers", that last statement may not occur to you.  But I have to warn you that when it comes to something as big as selling your home, doing it yourself can be detrimental to the whole process.  

If you want to stand first in this competitive real estate market, your home has got to stand out.  Having your home staged professionally will do just that.  

Take a look at what professionals are saying about it here.

So take a deep breath -

If you do this right, you won't have a chance to think twice!

Call me crazy, but I love moving.

I love it that I get to pack away most of my personal items and wait eagerly in anticipation to bring them out again once I am settling into a new place. I don’t know when this really began, but I have moved so many times that it probably started when I was a child.

Back then, staging wasn’t a necessity. Back then, it was only a few days before I could rediscover all of my little treasures that I cherished so dearly. And I was so excited to pull the items out of a box or two and put them into new places – except for the few times that those new places were places I had to share with my two sisters!  My brother was lucky in one respect. He always had his own room.

But I’m over that now. It’s true that I’m older now, and home staging has become a necessity in order to sell your home, but I will always love the thrill of carefully packing away the few personal effects that don’t belong on display for the world to see only to carefully unwrap every item like it’s Christmas morning when I have found a new home for them.

If you’re anything like me, you don’t just live in your house, you THRIVE in your HOME. When it comes time to sell – for whatever reason, you must learn to live in your house. If you do this right, it won’t take long before you can thrive in your new home! It’s really a simple step to take, but can make a world of difference if you don’t. You’ve got to emotionally detach.

Step 1: Remove all family and personal photographs from sight. Pack them away.
Step 2: Any religious items need to be hidden from sight during showings and open houses.
Step 3: Personal collections, jewellery and family heirlooms should be packed away.

It’s that simple! Unfortunately, it’s NOT that simple for everyone. And I understand this. But you must look at the larger picture, step outside yourself and see how not following these steps could affect you and your family. Unless you are living in a highly desirable area and your house is priced below market value, then you need to emotionally detach. It will only be for a short period of time, and if you consider the unpacking process a burden, now it will become a pleasurable experience .

Ok, you’re still not convinced? Let me tell you about the first home I ever owned, and sold 4 years
ago. I wish I had emotionally detached before I moved. I walked backwards down the laneway with tears overflowing, trying to imprint the house in my mind as forever mine. 

Yes, I had made a life there. Yes, I had made memories there. Yes, I put my sweat into every ounce of work that was accomplished there. And finally – YES I should always think of that house with fondness. But it would have been much easier if I had let go two months prior to the sale, when it was first listed. It would have made selling the house a much quicker, and easier process. I have sold 2 houses since then (applying the rule of emotionally detaching) and they both sold in record time, and for a price I never thought possible.

So – quicker selling time, better selling price – that sounds good already! But also factor in your
emotions. Moving can be very stressful, so why not remove what stress you can control? If you
emotionally detach now, you can improve the whole process!