your home to essentially tear it apart and put it back together again. In addition to checking your contrac- tor’s references, licenses, and insurance information, you want to ask about permits, inspections, how many people to expect in your house, and how to get in touch with him. See our list of key questions to ask a building contractor . HIRE SOMEONE Once you’ve nailed down the design, have a complete list of materials, and an estimate that works within your budget, it’s time to make the hire. Double-check all the details: timeline and details, payment plan, and what to do if you have issues to resolve. STEP 3: GET YOUR SPACE READY Help your job get off to a good start by preparing the space for your remodeling job. You don’t want workers arriving bright and early Monday morning to fi nd the kitchen cabinets they’re removing full of dishes. You also don’t want your belongings damaged or covered with dust and debris. RENT A PORTABLE STORAGE CONTAINER At a time like this, all homeowners struggle to fi nd a place to put all the stuff . If you need storage, consider renting a portable container to protect your belongings while keeping them close by. With the unit delivered right to your driveway or yard, there’s no need to rent a truck to haul everything across town. And, if you need something mid-project, just go out to the container and retrieve it any time you want. MAKE LIVING ARRANGEMENTS How will you live without your kitchen or bathroom? Will you need to move out for a while? Is staying with relatives a possibility? While your kitchen is torn apart, you can make do with a microwave in the laundry room. Th ere are ways to create a temporary living space within your own home. STEP 4: GET THE JOB DONE You’ve hired your contractor and signed on the dotted line. Now it’s time to begin the transformation from old to new. When it comes to actually getting it done, there are a few things that’ll help put wind in your sails. BE AVAILABLE Make sure your contractor and principal subs have your contact information. Check the work regularly to halt any mistakes or miscommunications before things get too far. BE PATIENT Delays happen. It rains, for days on end. Trucks break down, with your order inside. Employees get sick, even those on your crew. When you expect delays to happen, and have a good attitude when they do, it makes the job more joyful for everyone. MAKE A PUNCH LIST When the job’s about done, if you see little things that could be overlooked, make a list. Review the list with your contractor to make sure they aren’t things he thought you were going to handle. Th en, don’t make that fi nal payment until everything is checked off . CELEBRATE! Once you move your belongings in from your portable storage container, take photos of the job well done, share them on social media, and post reviews for the contractors. Invite a few friends over to celebrate. Relax and enjoy! Source: PODS.com TAKE BEFORE PHOTOS Major home remodels deserve documenting. Don’t forget to take photos before you start the demolition process. Central Oregon Homes " PAGE 13