The first time remodeling your home can be daunting. You may not know what exactly you want, how to find the right company or even where to begin at all. Just like any other project you’ve taken on, there is a clear cut process you can follow and you begin your first home remodel.

Follow these five steps to make sure your remodel is successful, and above all else, you’re happy in the end.

Know what you want. Whether it is a spouse, partner, family member or friend, talk your project over with someone. Before you do anything else, you should know exactly what you want. You should have a vision in your head and be able to communicate that. If you don’t know what you want, you are more likely to be dissatisfied with the outcome of your project.
Set a budget. After you know what you want, know what you want to spend. You should know ahead of time how much money you’re willing and able to spend. Be realistic. Ask yourself if the project you want can be completed with the budget you set. If what you want and what you want to spend don’t match up, then you may need to reconsider one or more elements of your project.
Do more than get quotes. You will need to get quotes, that’s true. That being said, there is much more to the quoting process than price. Make sure you like the company you choose. Your contractor should demonstrate they understand your project, your purpose for remodeling, and they should be willing to work with you at every turn. Personality is equally critical to finance.
Make a schedule. After you choose the right company for your project, work with the contractor to make a schedule that makes sense for both of you. You’ll need to know how long each aspect of the project will last, if any elements of the project will require you to vacate the property and what hours staff will be at your home each day.
Be ready to be flexible. You have your schedule and everything is moving forward. You may feel like every possible hiccup has been covered, but it’s important to be prepared for things to take longer than expected.
Cross your T’s and dot your I’s. As your project is winding down, take a walk through the remodel and make a list of fixes and questions you have for the company. Look over the contract again. Make sure everything that was agreed upon has occurred. It’s better to bring these up before the contractor moves on to another project.

Beginning your first remodeling project is a big step. Knowing the whole process before you get started can help you avoid any unpleasant surprises along the way.