As I written in the past, I am horrible when it comes to estimating the costs of home repair and remodel projects! I mean well, and I don't mean to lie to myself, but when I know what something will truly cost, I won't do it! I am just too cheap. But when I am half-way through a project and already over budget, I am motivated to just pay for it because, well, no one wants to live inside a remodel project!
But this ready, aim-a-little-bit, fire, and aim-again process is stupid! And expensive! And marriage-straining! And definitely not Dave-Ramsey-Approved!
Deep Thought: why do we make excuses when we go $1,000 over budget, but we scream at a contractor who goes $10 over his bid?
I think there is something in us that kicks against the reality of what things cost. I was surfing the web for bathroom layout and design ideas, and one page featured the samples and suggestions of one professional remodeling company. The site claimed that $1,000 spent on your bathroom will get you no more than new paint, a new shower curtain and maybe a professional tile cleaning. But any substantial improvement to your bathroom will cost well over a grand! Are you serious? Yes.
At that point I ask my, "what if I do all the work myself? I could save a bunch of money, and yes, I will probably screw up a few things and have to go back and fix them. But I will save a bunch of money!"
However, I need to remember this: I will still spend far more on materials than I first think I will.
In my next 2 posts, I will share with you the real costs of 2 of my recent projects: a large main bathroom remodel, and a very small project of installing 2 doors to our basement storage area.
My attempt to finish my basement bathroom . . .for FREE!
Your opportunity to learn how to save big money!
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