Whether you are ready to put an addition on your home, remodel your kitchen or finishing your basement over, too often we get caught up with emotional decisions for our budget. I call this the “Calculator Thought” because money is the main focus. Some one asked me recently with what was wrong with that. Let me make you aware of the consequences of these emotions.

When we start the process of visualizing what we would like our room or rooms to look like, there is an emotional high that we get about the final result. We gather information from websites, friends, family or from stores. Big box stores are a very big culprit in the Calculator Thought process. They have signs saying; “this kitchen for only $3,900.00. As soon as we see signs like that, we start thinking; “maybe this project will cost me less than I thought.” Another thought quickly enters your mind to rush home and get measurements so that you can run back to the store to get one of the so called “kitchen designers” to put your kitchen on the computer to see what it will look like and to find out a cost. Your language to them becomes; “how do I fit the $3,900.00 kitchen into my space”.  That will be all the designer in front of you will hear. This is a great idea if all you are looking for is to fill your kitchen with cabinets. All I can say is, quick and easy are nice but they will never soothe your hunger for a job that fits in the space and to fit your needs. Unfortunately, after the job is done, there are feelings of regret and anguish because it really doesn’t look the way you had first envisioned it.

Flash back to the beginning now when you have those exciting thoughts of doing those projects. Instead of coming up with a budget on your own, seek advice from an expert at your local bank and or mortgage company. They will be the right ones to let you know what you can and can not afford because they will ask you the right questions. Maybe you will also find one that has recently gone through the remodeling process and can tell their story. Once you find out what is possible financially, it’s time to sit with a kitchen professional that will also ask you good questions to get those dreams out of your head. Good professionals help with these important factors; good ideas, advice, knowledge and experience. When you want a good experience throughout the process, these factors are very important for a content homeowner.

So, when you get that remodeling bug and you want to move forward, eliminate the “Calculator Thoughts, and give your project a chance to grow into those dream ideas that are rolling around in your head. You will be amazed at how much of that dream will fit into your budget when you start the right way.

Tim Holick is the author of “Dream First, How to Enjoy Creating the Exact Kitchen You Desire.” For your free electronic copy of his book, sign up at www.woodpalacekitchens.com

 

This entry was posted in Kitchen Remodeling on August 28, 2013 by THblog.