So how do you get the new space of your dreams at a reasonable price? It comes down to two unglamorous but necessary words: planning and budgeting. For a detailed breakdown of individual costs by project and by room, HomeAdvisor.com is a great source, but here we provide you with our top high-level tips to think about when planning a remodel and need to hire a pro.

Define Your Needs: Build up, Build out, or Bump out

Of these three options, a bump out is generally the least costly, mainly because it does not involve changing the roof or foundation. A bump out typically extends a space to align it with an existing roof, adding square footage while avoiding major upheaval.

A build-out goes further than a bump-out, but often requires costly foundation and roofing extensions. Though it provides more interior square footage, the downside is that it also increases the exterior footprint of the home, which can drastically reduce outdoor/garden space.

Building up is a great way to retain the existing footprint of your home, but it can require significant roofing adjustments (some or all of your roof will have to be replaced), as well as bolstering of the foundation and weight-bearing beams.

Select Your Contractor

• First step: get recommendations. It’s always good to work with someone who has been vetted, and about whom you can get the inside scoop. Ask friends, colleagues, and neighbors for referrals.
• Next, examine their credentials and licenses. Make sure their paperwork is up to snuff. After that, narrow your potential hires down, and interview the ones who have made your shortlist.
• Finally: get bids. No matter how the initial interviews went, make sure you receive proposals from more than one contractor. Don’t base your selection on price alone. What appears to be the cheapest bid can sometimes end up costing you more in the long run.

Account for the Uncountable

Most remodeling projects go off the rails because of unforeseen expenses that are not captured in the budget. These are the top three:

1. Indecision: While a level of flexibility is necessary, too much flexibility – constantly changing your mind – can lead to budget overruns, as well as bad relationships with your architect, contractor, and vendors. Worse yet, it can result in an incomplete project.
2. When the Walls Finally Talk: It happens almost without fail: just as the project is starting to sail along, your contractor finds something unexpected, or even borderline disastrous. Issues like rotted wiring, termite-ridden studs, cracked foundations, moldy basements, faulty plumbing…the list goes on. Standard remodeling budgets include a 10% contingency allocation, which is meant to provide funding to address issues like these. Do not make the mistake of not including a contingency fund. Something always comes up, and it is best to be financially prepared.
3. The Cost of Comfort: Most homeowners remember to include all the construction-related costs in their budget, but they often forget to plan for how to keep themselves and their family comfortable during the remodel. Depending on the scale of the project, you need to set aside funds for storage, moving, alternative accommodation, eat-out/order-in dinners, child care, boarding pets, commuting costs, and income lost due to time off from work. Your contingency fund is typically earmarked for costs directly related to the rebuild. We suggest adding an extra 5% or more to your contingency fund to cover any additional unforeseen expenses.

If you love your home and neighborhood, but just want a bit of a change, remodeling can be a viable option vs. purchasing a new home. At 305 Florida Contractors, we can guide you through the process, and help you achieve the home of your dreams at a reasonable price. Just contact us to learn more.

Incorporate Decluttering Into Your Daily Routine

It may sound obvious, but it’s hard to stay organized in a small space when you have a lot of stuff. Making decluttering a part of your daily cleaning routine is vital if you want to stay tidy. Kickstart your organizational journey with a massive decluttering effort. After that, institute some rules for yourself. For example, one item in, one item out. Any time you bring something new into your home, you must get rid of something else. Also, spend at least 10 minutes every day getting unneeded items out of your home. The best part is that it doesn’t cost you a thing to start decluttering and making your space more breathable.

Think Vertically

Architecturally, how does a big city pack so much stuff into a relatively smaller surface area? By going vertically, of course. This concept can also help you in your small space. Apartment Therapy suggests “filling the space on top of the refrigerator with wire bins, mounting baskets on the wall, or placing a shelf with baskets in a corner.” You can also install cheap shelves from floor to ceiling wherever you want. Stores like Bed, Bath, & Beyond have stylish bins, shelving, and baskets. As a bonus, you can regularly find coupons, sales, and cashback deals to minimize the investment.

Prioritize Built-In Storage Space

In a small space, any piece of furniture that doesn’t also offer some sort of storage is a waste. For example, a TV stand/entertainment center should have drawers and cabinets aplenty. Your bed should have pull-out drawers underneath. Your coffee table or ottoman should open up to reveal extra storage space for blankets or pillows. Look for discounts and savings at stores like Crate & Barrel when looking for smart furniture for your small space.

Load Up on Baskets

If clutter is contained, is it even really clutter anymore? Not really, according to most. A home will look and feel more organized if every item has a place — even if that place is just a wicker basket or wooden bin. Bins and baskets are both cheap and stylish if you know where to look. Whether you want plastic, wood, clear, white, or metal — there is something for you.

Invest in Hooks for Inside and Outside Your Closets

Combining the general principles of making sure everything has its own storage space and thinking vertically will lead you to one elegant, extremely low-cost solution: hooks. Wallspace — both inside and outside of your closets and shelving — is mostly unused real estate. While a framed photo next to your front door looks nice, some cool brass hooks to hang your coats, bags, and umbrella are more practical. Check out some decorative door hooks that can go anywhere. If you’re smart, you can be practical, savvy and stylish at the same time.

The smaller the home the more valuable every single square inch is when it comes to storage, organization, and living space. By investing in some inexpensive storage aides and being smart when selecting furniture and decorative items (emphasizing function just as much as form), you can truly maximize any space. But before you do that, remember this: there are no tricks or tips to make a super-cluttered home organized. You must first declutter, downsize, and make some tough but necessary choices about what you choose to hold on to.

1. Clear the Clutter

You’ll be surprised what a big difference you’ll see just by throwing out what you don’t use.  Or you may just find that some items just don’t belong in that space.  Once you are done with this process you’ll probably notice your backyard space looks just a little bigger too.

2. Container Gardening

The idea of using container gardening creates an all year round colorful design. Dress up your garden with gorgeous potted plants.

3. Add a Swing

Think swings are just for kids? Think again. A swing will not only add a beautiful touch to your patio but it will add health benefits as well. Swinging is good for your mental health, balance, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and it helps to burn calories. So have that glass of wine and swing away.

4. Paint the Fence

Add curb appeal to your backyard by painting the fence. Shades of blues look beautiful all year round.

5. A Bird Feeder

Adding a bird feeder to your backyard has a lot more benefits than just feeding birds, it’s relaxing.  Choose a bird feeder that best fits your style and remember the food you purchase is the birds you’ll attract.

6. Lights

Don’t forget that lighting is the magic to the show. Adding string lights or a simple chandelier will add the last sparkle your backyard needs to welcome your guests and start the show.