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Ready to remodel your dated bathroom or Kitchen? Looking to add a home office or space for your growing family? The easiest part is knowing your end goal. Before you start picking out flooring and paint, know your budget and have resources to call on in times of trouble are just as important as your vision in this process. This can be tricky but hopefully with the steps below, it won’t feel impossible.

Estimate the costs

As a general rule to live by, you should spend no more than the value of the room you’re renovating as a percentage of your overall home’s value. (Be sure to know the approximate value of your home before you begin.)

For example, a kitchen usually accounts for about 10 to 15 percent of the property value. If your home is worth $200,000, you’ll want to spend $20,000 to $30,000 (or less).

Get quotes from contractors

Some contractors will give you an estimate based on the work to be completed. It’s always good to get quotes from several different contractors. Remember to be specific about what you want done with each contractor, even write it in the contract — be sure to include the materials you’d like used as well.

One thing to remember is the bid that comes in the lowest, may actually end up costing more in the end. They could be cuttin you a deal...they also could bring more problems, some of the “low-priced” contractors may cut corners and leave you with the bill to repair the issues that inevitably come up.

Stick to the plan

As the renovation moves along, you may be tempted to add to your design or change the plan. Every time you change your mind, there’s a change order. Even minor changes can be costly. Try to keep your plan as close to the original as you can, if possible.

Don’t forget the hidden costs

Your home may look flawless on the outside, but there could be issues just beneath the surface. Hidden imperfections are one of the reasons renovation projects end up costing more than you anticipated.

Factor in 10 to 20 percent of your contracted budget for unforeseen expenses. Ultimately, things may (or most definitely will) come up when renovating, be sure to keep that in mind as you plan budget and carry out your vision.

Another important thing, have fun, there will be exciting moments, nervous moments, frustrating moments, but in the end this project is meant to improve your daily life and make for a happier life.