blog_pic_1Whatever business you’re in, odds are you’ve seen some pretty fantastic (and some pretty unusual) things over your career. As remodeling contractors, that’s certainly held true for Freyenhagen Construction. Over the last 20 years we’ve had the chance to see a lot of great work get completed here in Billings—and the opportunity to “fix” a number of home improvements that didn’t work out so well.

So how do you avoid those remodeling fails? 

First, know your limits. It’s one thing to paint a room or install a ceiling fan. It’s a completely different situation to gut and rebuild a kitchen. There’s a time to call in someone who understands the ins and outs of home renovations; who can see potential problems and address them long before they happen.

Second, have a good plan going in.  When you don’t being your project knowing what you want it to look and function like when it’s done, the chance for error goes up exponentially. A good design will prevent you from having a kitchen stove that you can’t open because the island is too close or cabinet doors that slam into walls. A good design, planned and executed well, will make you much happier in the long run.

Third, work with the right people. Home remodeling is a specialization within the construction industry. There are specific things an experienced renovation team will know to look for that someone who works predominantly within another area of the industry won’t.  Likewise, be aware that the lowest bid isn’t always the right one for you. The adage of “you get what you pay for” generally holds true, and your home isn’t the place you probably want to cut corners.