Renovating is like falling in love at first anyway. It’s all as exciting as you can imagine enjoying the exciting new space your wonderful contractor will be building. But then reality sets in. Hidden behind all that bubbly infatuation lurks real financial, emotional, and legal danger. I’ve seen bad renovations hurt people hundreds of times during my 30 years in business. As a renovation coach who works with clients and contractors, I know these six strategies are key to avoiding renovation regret.

1. Know what you want

As a customer you need a firm idea of ​​what you want. Contractors can’t give you this, so don’t expect them to. Neither are designers and architects. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen expensive, professionally designed plans never get built because the client hadn’t first developed their own clear vision of what they wanted. Next you need to find the right contractor and create the right contract. This is absolutely essential.

2. Hire diligently

In my experience, only 20 percent of homeowners check references, and that’s a tragic mistake. But what’s worse, few people check references correctly. Is the contractor you are considering doing renovations or new construction? The two roles are very different. The ability to efficiently build a new bungalow has almost nothing to do with tastefully renovating a 100-year-old stone house. And, even if you think you’ve found the contractor from heaven, visit at least two job sites, one under construction and one finished. This is crucial. It gives you a chance to see how organized the contractor is and if the quality of the workmanship meets your expectations.

3. Never start without a contract

One of the biggest dangers to you as a customer is you. It’s easy to get so excited at the start of a new renovation that you forget the basics, especially the financials. Never allow work to start before a contract has been finalized, and never end a contract unless it is complete

and technically specific enough to offer value. Back off, slow down, and keep in mind that you need to have all the details worked out and in writing before the job gets rolling. Every contract must include start and end dates. The small financial penalties associated with these dates also mean you never have to call your contractor and wonder when things will happen. You’re always number one when cash is tied to the calendar.

4. Insist on a detailed contract

Every contract worth the name must be extremely detailed. It is definitely not enough to specify “a bathroom with a vanity, bathtub, toilet, and tile.” Each item must be specified: brand, model, color and type of material. Useful contract details look like this: shaker-style kitchen cabinets with 35-degree clear-coated maple doors, dovetail drawers, and full-extension undermount slides with soft-close dampers. This type of detail eliminates most disagreements in the future. Also, beware of contracts that only cover half of the project, just to gain access to your work.

5. Get proof of insurance

Your contractor and subcontractors need insurance, and not just for your protection. Request and verify copies of liability insurance and WSIB documents. Even a small leak in a 1/4-inch water pipe for a refrigerator, for example, can cause millions of dollars in collateral damage. What happens when you find out too late that the plumber hasn’t paid his insurance premiums for months and the damage caused by his mistake has become your financial nightmare? Get and keep copies of everything.

6. Pay at the right time

Many contractors ask for more money up front than you should give. A good payment schedule is tied to project milestones at specific completion dates. So much money when the frame is done and has passed inspection. More money when the mechanics and electricity are installed and approved. Final payment is due only when the job is complete and you are satisfied. As a consumer, you have the right to withhold 10 percent when the work is substantially complete to ensure that no liens have been placed on your property.

A good reform can be like a great romance or a nightmare divorce. It all depends on how you handle it.