Page 107 - Southern Oregon Magazine Summer 2021

TIME TO RENOVATE!

BEFORE krissy millner, owner, terra firma home

Terra Firma Home | 309 E. Main St, Medford
541-770-2728 | www.terrafirmahome.com

o! You’re ready to make the call, secure a contractor and get that
remodel going that you’ve been considering for years. It is an
overwhelming task, so here are some tips to help in a process
Sthat is a bit daunting and almost always overwhelming. Things to
know before you renovate!

Just about every homeowner I’ve ever met who has built or remodeled
has shared a story that includes these words: “If I knew then, what I
know now, I never would have done it this way...”

You must realize going in at the start that it will always cost more than
you think, take longer than you want. Assume nothing! There will be
tile that is uneven making electrical outlets hard to put in, floors that
end up with strange thresholds or a window dying into a beam making
window treatments impossible.

After 20 years, I have seen it all.

THE BUDGET

Know your budget going in, and make sure there’s wiggle room for
unforeseen issues once you open up those walls. Do not use HGTV as
a guide for renovation costs.

Always get an estimate in writing from your contractor. Again, they
cannot predict unexpected issues, but a reputable contractor will have
the experience and knowledge to give you a rough estimate on the
scope of work. If they say, “Who knows?” walk away! They can easily
advise the hourly rates of their trades to help put together the budget.

There is typically a dollar price per square foot to build/renovate and
it’s based on using low, mid or high-end materials, so that is another
way to gauge how much it will cost. Based on the room, a kitchen vs.
an entry, you can find great calculators online to help you research
typical costs for renovations.

Remember to factor in costs if you will need to move out/rent a place,
if the remodel is extensive.

AFTER
summer 2021 | www.southernoregonmagazine.com 105