Remodeling your home soon? Before considering home improvement think why you are doing it .

Are you contemplating house remodeling because you want to fix up your house before you put it up on the market for sale? On the other hand, are you considering home remodeling because you plan to stay in your house for a while longer?

 If your goal of house remodeling is fixing up your home to sell it, you may want to contact a local real estate agent. A walk through your house may allow an agent to suggest areas for home improvement that will help you sell a house in today’s overstocked housing market.

 However, if you’re contemplating home improvement in order to stay where you are, you need to figure out which areas are most in need of improvement. Then, assign a number to each area (kitchen, bathroom, etc.), with “5” being the most important and “1” being the least.

 That done, it’s time to determine how much money you can afford to spend on house remodeling. In today’s economy, it’s vital to have at least a full year’s living expenses put away for a rainy day. Since few jobs are lifetime positions, beside Supreme Court Justice, try not to touch your nest egg to pay for house remodeling.

 When you’ve decided what you need done, and how much you can afford to spend on home remodeling, you now need to seek out a licensed contractor.  Some homeowners think they can save money by having their third cousin on their mother’s side do the work on the cheap. They couldn’t be more wrong!

 A licensed contractor is needed for any work that requires a building permit and for any home remodeling where the material and labor costs exceed $1,000. There are three kinds of licensed contractors: General Engineering Contractor, General Building Contractor and Specialty Contractor.

 A General Engineering Contractor has skill and knowledge of specialized engineering. You’ll need this kind of licensed contractor for sewers, paving, land-leveling, ranching and excavating.

 A General Building Contractor is primarily involved with building structures. This is your contractor for room additions and houses.

 A Specialty Contractor does building work that involves special skills like roofing, drywall, electrical work, flooring and landscaping.

 If you’re simply not sure which type of licensed contractor to seek out for your home remodeling, the Contractor’s License Board will be able to help you make your choice.

 Home improvement will involve both spending money and experiencing a bit of inconvenience. The ultimate result, however, whether selling your home or improving your living space, is sure to put a big smile on your face!