Ready for it? Your project is probably going to go over budget. Skilled architects and designers don’t come cheap, and neither do building materials, high-end furnishings, and the last-minute luxury items you pick up along the way. Whether you call in the pros or do some of it yourself, you can safely assume that any reno is going to go over budget for one reason or another. So, how do you best prepare for the inevitable? Accurately define the scope of your project, thoroughly outline the project’s milestones, and have a detailed cost breakdown. Your hired contractors will likely come to the table with those things, but if they don’t, insist that they do. On top of all that, don’t plan your project so close to your budget that there’s no wiggle room. Plan it under budget, so you’re more likely to hit the mark you hoped.
